Thomas, Hovey, and Churchill Win Before Double Down Shootout Fogged-Out At Bowl
Waterford, CT — Heavy fog rolled into the area before the Double Down Shootout presented by Mohegan Sun Casino could be completed at the Waterford Speedbowl Saturday evening. Only three of the scheduled eight main events were run before action stopped.
The Shootout will continue Saturday, Sept. 6. Rain-checks and wrist-bands from Aug. 30 will be honored.
Winning round-one features in the abbreviated event were Bruce Thomas Jr., (Late Model), Walt Hovey Jr. (Sportsman), and Randy Churchill Jr. (Mini Stock).
Both 25-lap SK Modified features fell victim to the cancellation.
Tim Jordan got out to an early lead in the first 25-lap Late Model feature, staying in front until a fast-approaching Bruce Thomas Jr. took over. A late-event yellow set the stage for a 3-lap duel to the finish, Thomas prevailing at the stripe by a narrow margin. Following was Larry Goss, Joe Curioso, and Jeff Smith.
The defending track champion stated that “guarding the inside” was key in the victory.
“I had to keep Tim out there, but it almost came back to bite me,” Thomas relayed. “He raced me very cleanly, so I wanted to make sure I didn’t run him too-high, but I knew my car was better on the inside. Actually, Tim was better than I thought running out there, and he almost got me anyway. It was an exciting race to drive, that’s for sure.”
In the first segment of twin 15-lap Sportsman action, “Grandpa Jim” Procaccini led the charge until getting-sideways and collecting several others in a multi-car crash in turn-2 resulting in a red-flag period. As racing resumed, it was Jack Aquilina leading with Walt Hovey Jr. trailing. With a handful of circuits remaining, Hovey shot to the outside, battling with the leader. At the checkers it was a classic photo-finish, Hovey prevailing by inches for his fourth main event triumph of the season. Behind Aquilina it was Chuck Rogers, Josh Galvin, and Ronnie Oldham Jr.
The finish was so-close, Hovey wasn’t sure that he’d won until the victory lane celebration.
“I can’t believe I was involved in another finish like that – it’s the third one this season for us,” said Hovey. “It was to the point that I was worried about where my transponder is mounted. If it was behind where Jack has his, would it score me as the winner? Seriously, from behind the wheel I really could not tell who was ahead at the line, it was that close.”
In the first 15-lap Mini Stock feature, Randy Churchill Jr. edged-out Danny Field for his fourth victory of the season. Ray Christian III led from the initial green until overtaken by Churchill with 3-laps remaining. Danny Field slipped-by Christian on the last lap, and pressed the winner to the checkers. Completing the top-5 was defending champion Ken Cassidy Jr., and Lou Bellisle.
Getting to the front was one thing; staying-there was another, according to the winner.
“I certainly wasn’t the fastest car out there tonight, and I knew Danny was there that’s for sure,” stated Churchill. “After I got to the front, Danny kind of helped me with that one. I’d get sideways, and he’d straighten-me-out. My car was a handful tonight, it wasn’t handling very well. It’s going to be tough to make it back to the front in the second-segment.”
Winning the special 35-lap SXR Go Kart event was Zack Thomas.
The “Back To School Bash” including demo-derbies, a burn-out contest, and other daring feats cap-off the Speedbowl’s holiday weekend schedule on Sunday evening. Grandstands open at 5 with the bashing starting at 7.
Log-on to www.speedbowl.com for more information.
LATE MODEL # 1 (25); 1. Bruce Thomas Jr., 2. Tim Jordan, 3. Larry Goss, 4. Joe Curioso, 5. Jeff Smith, 6. Jeff Pearl, 7. Robert LeBlanc Jr., 8. Dennis Stampfl, 9. Phil Rondeau, 10. Brian Andranaco, 11. Mark Hudson, 12. Rich Duranti, 13. Dan Holben, 14. Rich Staskowski, 15. Ed Reed Jr., 16. Vin Esposito.
SPORTSMAN # 1 (15); 1. Walt Hovey Jr., 2. Jack Aquilina, 3. Chuck Rogers, 4. Josh Galvin, 5. Ronnir Oldham Jr., 6. Al Stone III, 7. Kevin Gambacorta, 8. Ed Lamb Jr., 9. Sean Curtis, 10. Mark Cooper, 11. John Puglisi, 12. Joe Nogiec, 13. “Grandpa Jim” Procaccini, 14. Chris Meyer, 15. Nate Appell, 16. Randall Waterman, 17. Joe Bertholet, 18. Brandon Plemons, 19. Jon Porter.
MINI STOCK # 1 (15); 1. Randy Churchill Jr., 2. Danny Field, 3. Ray Christian III, 4. Ken Cassidy Jr., 5. Lou Bellisle, 6. Ben Bargnesi, 7. Jeff Mehlenbacher, 8. Nick Pappacoda, 9. Mark Panaroni, 10. Phil Evans, 11. Glenn Colvin, 12. Sean Caron, 13. Jack Aquilina, 14. Marl Caise, 15. Jeff “Soup” Civardi, 16. Christina Cunliffe, 17. Ryan Cipows, 18. Ian Brew, 19. Charles Canfield, 20. Kyle James.
Sources: Dave Dykes/Waterford Speedbowl PR