Gada and Reed Share Speedbowl Spotlight With First-Time Winners
Waterford, CT — Six-time champion Dennis Gada came from deep in the pack Saturday evening to win his third NASCAR Whelen All-American Series SK feature of the season on Little League Night at the Waterford Speedbowl.
Other feature winners were Ed Reed Jr. (Late Model), Ed Lamb Jr. (Sportsman), and Raymond Christian III (Mini Stock).
Things started with a bang in the 35-lap SK feature, as at the drop of the green a crash in the first-turn deposited several front-runners into the wall including Ron Yuhas Jr., Kenny Horton, Jeff Pearl, and last week’s winner, Keith Rocco. Trouble started when the car of outside pole-sitter Frank Mucciacciaro Jr. seemingly balked at the start. A number of those involved were able to continue, including Yuhas, Horton, and Rocco. On the restart, Wendell Dailey led momentarily before passed by Mucciacciaro and several others. Justin Gadosh then moved to the front pressed by Rob Janovic and a fast-moving Dennis Gada. Passing Gaydosh, Gada pulled alongside leader Janovic, executing an outside-pass to take the lead with only three circuits remaining when the caution waved for the final time. In one of the closest SK finishes of 2008, he was able to get the advantage on defending champion. Following was Gaydosh, Ronnie Silk, and Rocco.
“Those last laps, we raced hard,” said Gada. “It wasn’t like last week. Some guys don’t use patience, and run like that at the start. With only a few laps left, it’s different. Rob ran me hard, but clean. That’s racing to me, when you’re both going for the win at the end.”
Janovic was “bummed” that he couldn’t hold-off the six-time champion. “We worked on the car a lot this week, and made some changes and improvements,” he stated. I’m kind of bummed about losing, but Dennis was really strong tonight. He deserved the win.”
In the Late Models, Ed Reed took his second feature of the season. Moving into the lead following an altercation between leader Tim Jordon and defending champion Bruce Thomas Jr., Reed distanced himself from a furious battle between Vin Esposito and Ron Yuhas Jr. Having his best run of the season, a surprisingly-fast Esposito was able to nip Yuhas for second. After restarting from the back of the field, Jordan and Thomas Jr. recovered to complete the top-five.
“We didn’t have the fastest car tonight, but I’ll take the win and be happy with it. Running with these guys is tough, so you take them as you get them,” said Reed. “I couldn’t really see what happened between Jordan and Thomas, but it’s unfortunate. I know they got-together & spun. They were definitely quicker than I was, and it would have been a great show for the fans if they’d stayed up-front.”
Ed Lamb Jr. became the sixth different Sportsman feature winner of the season in scoring his first-ever main event. Lamb was dogged in the closing laps by veteran Jim Proccaccini, but managed to pull ahead by several car-lengths at the finish. Walt Hovey, Jr., Al Stone III, and Jonathon Avery followed.
In the caution-free Mini Stock feature, teenage rookie Raymond Christian III put on a dominating performance to win the first of his career. Christian is the son of defending “Women On Wheels” champion Kathy Civardi, and the step-son of popular Speedbowl veteran Jeff “Soup” Civardi. Lou Belisle finished second, and rounding-out the top-five was Randy Churchill Jr., Ken Cassidy Jr., and Bill Leonard.
Winning the Little League Night “Home Run Derby” sponsored by www.Sidsvault.com was the team of Little Leaguer Justin Marceau age-10 of Southington, and popular SK & Late Model driver Ron Yuhas Jr. Several “home runs” were scored, including a power-hit slammed by defending Late Model champ Bruce Thomas Jr. that cleared the bleachers. A favorite event at the Speedbowl, special thanks goes out to Ted “Sid” DiMaggio for tirelessly organizing the show, now in its third year. DiMaggio also produces “The Vault Report” the official weekly program of the Waterford Speedbowl, as well as running www.Sidsvault.com a website featuring the comprehensive statistical history of the track.
Action continues this week with Wild n’ Wacky Wednesday, and the ultra-fast ISMA Supermodifieds invade the Bowl’ on Saturday evening.
For more information, please visit www.speedbowl.com.
SK MODIFIED (35); 1. Dennis Gada, 2. Rob Janovic Jr., 3. Justin Gaydosh, 4. Ron Silk, 5. Keith Rocco, 6. Jeff Malave, 7. Todd Ceravolo, 8. Ron Yuhas Jr., 9. Jeff Paul, 10. Tyler Chadwick, 11. Frank Mucciacciaro Jr., 12. Roberts Georgiades, 13. Shawn Monahan, 14. Wendell Dailey, 15. Rich Hammann, 16. Glenn Pressel III, 17. Doug Coby, 18. Jay Miller, 19. Jeff Pearl, 20. Frank Ruocco, 21. Mike Sweeney, 22. Kenny Horton, 23. Pete Pavone Jr., 24. Bill Benoit, 25. Clifford Fitzgerald III.
LATE MODEL (30); 1. Ed Reed Jr., 2. Vin Esposito, 3. Ron Yuhas Jr., 4. Tim Jordan, 5. Bruce Thomas Jr., 6. Tom Metcalf, 7. Rich Staskowski, 8. Larry Goss, 9. Ernie Bertrand, 10. Steve Potter, 11. Robert LeBlanc Jr., 12. Jeff Smith, 13. Terrance O’Brien, 14. Bob Andreozzi, 15. Chris Bottge, 16. Dan Holben.
SPORTSMAN (20); 1. Ed Lamb Jr., 2. Jim Procaccini, 3. Walt Hovey Jr., 4. Al Stone III, 5. Jonathon Avery, 6. Nate Appell, 7. Ron Oldham Jr., 8. Mark Cooper, 9. Chuck Rogers, 10. John Puglisi, 11. Joe Nogiec, 12. Kevin Burr, 13. Jack Aquilina, 14. Brandon Plemons, 15. Chris “Moose” Douton.
MINI STOCK (20); 1. Raymond Christian III, 2. Lou Belisle, 3. Randy Churchill Jr., 4. Ken Cassidy Jr., 5. Bill Leonard, 6. Jack Aquilina, 7. Ben Bargnesi, 8. Chris Williams, 9. Kyle James, 10. Ian Brew, 11. Dennis Perry, 12. Jeff “Soup” Civardi, 13. Mark Panaroni, 14. Nick Pappacoda, 15. Sean Caron, 16. Christina Cunliffe, 17. Brad Caddick, 18. Andrew Becker, 19. Albert “Bo” Norman.
Sources: David Dykes/Waterford Speedbowl PR.