Coby Looking Forward To Modified Nationals
Waterford, CT — Doug Coby first raced at the Waterford Speedbowl in 2000, and since then has always enjoyed his visits to the shoreline oval.
“Waterford is a real drivers track,” he says. “It’s one of those places that has multiple grooves, and it really allows you to show your stuff. It’s just a fun place to race, and unique in its own way. We’re really looking forward to this weekend.”
Coby will be part of the impressive SK-150 field when the Speedbowl gates swing-open this weekend with the 12th annual Budweiser Nationals. The lucrative “150” is the centerpiece of a 10-division agenda that also includes the Bowl’s Late Models, Sportsman, Mini Stock and Legends divisions as well as the Northeastern Midget Association, Pro4 Modifieds, AllStar Race Trucks, Allison Legacy Cars and NEMA Lites.
Coby will be piloting a Johnson Motorsports entry. He joins an impressive entry list that includes, in addition to Speedbowl regulars Rob Janovic Jr., Dennis Gada and ’07 winner Jerry Pearl, Jimmy Blewett, Woody Pitkat, Jeff Malave, Matt Hirschman and Frank Ruocco.
“Over the years, the Nationals has become a major deal for our division,” says Coby. “It’s right up there at the top. One look at this year’s entry list proves that. You’ve got top teams coming in that normally don’t run the Speedbowl on a regular basis, and you’ve got the regulars that know the place better than anyone. The weekly guys are a stout bunch. It’s just a tough race to win, and if you do, you’ve really accomplished something.”
“Strategy” plays a key role. “It’s a long race, and you have to be patient and plan your moves,” he continues. “Where you start pretty-much dictates your game plan. Because of the caliber of drivers you can’t wait around for the race to come to you. On the other hand, you have to try to wisely conserve your equipment making sure that you’re still fast at the end.”
The Speedbowl itself is a factor. “The first thing I noticed when I came to the Speedbowl was that follow the leader racing wasn’t going to fly,” says Coby. “Unlike some of the other places we run you can really hang it out at the Speedbowl. There’s a seasoned outside groove and if you’re willing to run up there, you can come to the front in a hurry. Just watch a guy like Gada. The drivers that run there weekly know about it, and that’s why there’s so much side-by-side action at the Speedbowl.”
The “150” has not been particularly good to Coby. “ Our first Nationals race was a disappointment,” he says. “We had a great starting spot, but got tangled up right after the green and ended-up wrecking. Last year we’d had mechanical problems on Saturday and started in the back via a promoter’s option. We had a fast car and finished near the front, but ran out of time.”
He returns, however, filled with optimism. “Over the years, Waterford has quietly become one of my favorite tracks,” he explains. “ It’s really well-suited for our division and an event of this stature. With a little bit of luck, we’ll end-up in victory lane. That’s what we’re aiming for. A Nationals win looks pretty impressive on an SK Modified driver’s resume.”
Sources: Dave Dykes/Waterford Speedbowl PR