Speedbowl Street Stock Division Adds Faces; Heats Up for 2009
Waterford, CT – Not only will the Street Stock division at Waterford Speedbowl have a new name in 2009, it will also be turning up the heat on the track. The division returns several competitors with their eyes set on challenging defending champion Al Stone III and also welcomes in others with proven success.
Although Stone led the division in wins, top fives and top ten finishes a year ago en route to his first career championship, he was challenged to the final event by Walt Hovey Jr. Stone will be seeking to repeat his championship efforts, believing consistency will be the key in the team’s tenth anniversary season. Hovey, who actually missed an event in 2008, will be back looking to resume where he left off – he closed 2008 by posting 2 wins and 8 top five finishes in the final 9 weeks. New faces to the division for 2009 include the seasoned Ed Puleo and Kevin Gambacorta, plus Wild ‘n Wacky Wednesday graduates Steve Barrett and Greg Moran Jr.
Puleo returns to the place he first got bit by the racing bug. “The Speedbowl will always be very special to me” stated Puleo. “I saw my first race, drove my first race, and won my first race there.” Puleo in fact led the division in wins during the 1997 season with three. He also has experience wheeling an open-wheel SK Mod around the three-eighths mile shoreline oval.
Puleo’s return comes with an experienced Street Stock team coming off a second place championship effort at Thompson International Speedway in 2008 and has claimed several wins over past seasons. “With the help of great friends & family, David and Charlie Banta along with Critical Signs, Larry’s Automotive, Welding Procedures .com, and a mean racecar, I’m confident that we will have one of the most exciting seasons we’ve had in a very long time.”
Gambacorta joins the division with his own established and growing resume built outside the ‘Bowl. The 2004 Dare Stock Champion and 2006 Limited Late Model Champion at Stafford Motor Speedway has proven to adapt quickly to new challenges in his relatively short racing career. After trying out the facility a few times in 2008, the Ellington, CT native found the shoreline oval to his liking. “I definitely think Waterford makes you a better driver, and the atmosphere and friendliness in the pits is better than anywhere I have ever been” said Gambacorta. Not only does he have his sights set on picking up his first career Speedbowl victory, he’s not ruling out the possibility of contending for the championship.
Moran Jr. and Barrett come off successful 2008 campaigns in the ultra-competitive Super X-Car division, part of the ‘Bowl’s popular Wild ‘n Wacky Wednesday program. They each scored a win and were top point contenders against nearly 30 competitors every week. They’re well prepared to join the mix with other Street Stock division threats Ronnie Oldham, Mark Cooper, Jack Aquilina, and Brandon Plemons – all 2008 feature winners. A close eye should also be kept on Norm Root – the 2005 division champion has filed an entry and brings a proven track record to the table.
The 2009 Street Stock season will kick off with a 30-lap extra distance feature at the 13th annual Budweiser Modified Nationals on Sunday March 29, with qualifying rounds scheduled for March 28. The division will once again regularly compete in 20-lap features during the season. For more information, please visit www.speedbowl.com.
Sources: Waterford Speedbowl PR