Weekly Racing Resumes this Saturday at the Speedbowl
Waterford, CT — Saturday night racing returns to the shoreline when the Waterford Speedbowl kicks off its weekly program this coming Saturday, April 4. The Speedbowl’s SK Modifieds, Late Models, Street Stocks, and Mini Stocks will compete in NASCAR Whelen All-American Series action. The Legends Cars will also join this Saturday’s racing program.
The trek towards the 2009 track championships begin in all five divisions this week. Each division’s track champion from a year ago will be in action and pursuit of defending their respective titles. The top 11 SK Modified® drivers in points a year ago were all on hand for the postponed Budweiser Modified Nationals event a week ago. Last year’s top three in points – Dennis Gada, Rob Janovic Jr., and Keith Rocco – battled weekly to the final checkered flag. This year is expected to be no different with Ron Yuhas Jr., Jeffrey Paul, Tyler Chadwick and Jeff Pearl joining the battle every week while past Late Model and Sportsman division champion Corey Hutchings will surely factor in as well.
One driver excited to be returning to weekly competition at the ‘Bowl this year is Dennis Charette, driver of the #1 SK. “I absolutely love the Speedbowl” stated Charette, a Southington native. He hopes to add to his career ‘Bowl win total of seven SK Modified® victories as early as this Saturday’s 35-lap feature.
Catching Bruce Thomas Jr. is the name of the game in the Late Model division. The two-time defending track champion has won 22 times in the division over the past two seasons and has continued to set the bar high. He set a Late Model time trial record last week in qualifying at the opener with a 15.240 second lap. Tim Jordan, the 2006 division champion as a rookie and second a year ago, is primed to contend on a weekly basis. Vin Esposito and Larry Goss look to add to their win totals and run consistently up front, while Rich Staskowski and Jeff Smith will be on the prowl for their first career Late Model victory.
The Street Stocks shape up to be a dogfight every week amongst Al Stone III, Walt Hovey, Ronnie Oldham Jr., Mark Cooper, Jack Aquilina, Brandon Plemons and more. Add in capable newcomers Ed Puleo and Kevin Gambarcorta, and there will be a host of competitors in the thick of each and every 20-lap feature event this season. The Speedbowl’s Mini Stock division has earned a reputation for non-stop excitement in their 20-lap features, and last year’s point contenders all look to resume where they left off. Ken Cassidy Jr. will be seeking a division record third straight crown, while Randy Churchill, Louis Bellisle, Ray Christian III, Danny Field and others look to dethrone the second generation driver.
Nearly 30 Legends Car competitors signed in for action during the Budweiser Modified Nationals weekend and provided great qualifying and feature action. If that’s any indication of the season ahead, Speedbowl fans are in for a treat. Last year’s Saturday Legends champion Shaun Buffington along with Wild’n Wacky Wednesday Legends champion Jason Palmer are expected to fend off the challenges of numerous young and upcoming competitors. The Legends Cars will make 14 Saturday night appearances during the 2009 season.
Grandstands open at 3:00 pm this Saturday with qualifying action set to begin at 5:00 pm. Feature events follow qualifying. For more, please visit www.speedbowl.com or contact the Speedbowl track office at 860.442.1585.
Sources: Waterford Speedbowl PR