Gada, Thomas, Stone Seek Speedbowl Glory
Waterford, CT — The ending of a long SK-Modified championship battle and the possibility of two “Triple Crown” achievements are part of the excitement for this weekend’s season-ending, two-day, 13-division division Town Fair Tire “Finale” at Waterford Speedbowl.
Dennis Gada hopes to secure a record seventh championship in Sunday’s 100-lap SK feature. Bruce Thomas Jr. and Al Stone III can secure “Triple Crown” laurels with victories in Sunday’s 100-lap Late Model and 50-lap Sportsman features respectively.
Point battles will also come to an end in Sunday’s 50-lap Mini Stock and Saturday’s 25-lap Legends event.
The Speedbowl’s Saturday night fraternity will be joined by an impressive group led by the Northeastern Midget Association including the NEMA ‘Lites” and Pro4 Modifieds. The Wild n’ Wacky Wednesday gang – the X-Modifieds, X-Cars and Super X Cars – will be part of the action along with the “Outlaw Stocks” and Thompson Modifieds.
Action begins with a 2 PM till dark practice session for all competing divisions on Friday (Oct. 3). All qualifying will be on Saturday (Oct. 4) followed by the Legends, Pro4, NEMA Lites and Wild n’ Wacky divisions, Thompson Modified and Outlaw Stock features.
The 25-lap NEMA feature will join the SKs, Late Models, Sportsman and Mini Stocks on Sunday (Oct. 5) The traditional pit party at 10:30 am kicks off the Sunday program.
A three-time Finale winner including last year, Gada will take a 12-point edge on Rob Janovic Jr. into the SK feature. Keith Rocco, a six-time winner, is 18 back. Gada, who won this year’s Modified Nationals, and Ron Yuhas Jr. are co-leaders in Triple Crown SK wins with five apiece. Janovic and Jeff Pearl are accomplished distance racers as well. Jeff Paul won the 100 lapper at this year’s Pepsi 300.
The Triple Crown, which also includes the Modified Nationals and Pepsi 300, has been accomplished only three times since 1999. Because they are defending Finale champions, Thomas and Stone, can become the second and/or third driver(s) to capture four straight Triple Crown wins. Both have already clinched their respective championships.
Other Triple Crown winners have been Allen Coates (Late Models, ’98), Jay Stuart (Late Models ’99) and Dwayne Dorr (Sportsman ‘’06). Stuart four won straight in 1999-2000.
Leader Ken Cassidy Jr., who takes a 44-point edge on Randy Churchill into the Mini feature, will be looking for a record fourth straight Finale victory. In the Minis, as in the Sportsman and Late Models, the battle for top five spots in the final rundowns go seven deep.
Shaun Buffington, who returned to action after a few years away, will take a slim 4-point edge on Michael Gervais Jr. into the Legends feature. Jason Palmer is only 10 points off the pace.
NEMA brings a tight owners point race to the “Finale” as well. Two accomplished Speedbowl performers, Bobby Santos III and Randy Cabral, are the drivers in the battle between Bob Santos Jr. and Tim Bertrand.
Sources: Dave Dykes/Waterford Speedbowl PR