Speedbowl Gearing up for a Busy May
Waterford, CT — The April showers that plagued Waterford Speedbowl and delayed NASCAR Whelen All-American Series action by three weeks earlier in the month finally gave way to ideal weather, resulting in consecutive action packed and entertaining race events. As the calendar turns to May, Speedbowl fans will be treated to the raw horsepower and thrills of the True Value Modified Series and ISMA Supermodifieds, the start of the economical Wild ‘n Wacky Wednesday program and the rescheduled Budweiser Modified Nationals event. The return of the Pro-4 Modifieds and more down to the wire action from the Saturday night stars should not be overlooked either.
The Saturday May 2 race program kicks off the month with the NEATV Truck Series, part of an eight race event schedule at the Speedbowl for the Series. The NEATV Truck Series race winner from the Modified Nationals weekend, Allen Coates, will start last in the 25-lap event. Time trials will set the remainder of the field. The Trucks take the place of the SK Modifieds who receive a planned week off after two exciting wins by Keith Rocco – the first by inches with a dramatic last lap effort on April 18, and last week’s impressive move to the head of the field in the early stages of the 35-lap feature event. The Late Models, Street Stocks, Mini Stocks, and Legends Cars have all provided great racing thus far and join May 2’s race program. Qualifying action begins at 5pm and will be followed by the main events.
Wild ‘n Wacky Wednesdays begin May 6 and run every Wednesday throughout the month featuring Legends Cars, X-Modifieds, the four-cylinder X-Cars and eight-cylinder Super X-Cars. The events, known for affordable family fun, offer adult grandstands admission for just $7, while all children 14 and under are admitted free. Novelty races help add the wacky element into the night’s festivities.
The True Value Modifieds come to Waterford May 9 for the furthest stop south on the tour. They’ll provide 100-laps of green flag racing in the first of two scheduled events in 2009 at the ‘Bowl. Featuring the roar of the big block Modifieds and blistering speeds that dip into the 13 second bracket, the True Value Modified races at Waterford are a homecoming for many teams. New Hampshire’s Rob Goodenough checkered the Series season opener April 25 at Monadnock Speedway over a full field of competitors. Speedbowl SK Modified® competitors have earned guaranteed starting spots into the True Value field in the past and 2009 will be no different, with Jeff Pearl and Rob Janovic Jr. accepting the challenge to represent the ‘home team’ against the Series stars. The True Value Mods will be joined by the Speedbowl’s regular Saturday night NASCAR Whelen All-American Series divisions including the SK Modifieds.
May 16’s Saturday night event is highlighted by Little League Night, offering a full card of NASCAR Whelen All-American Series action plus the return of the Legends Cars. Any youth wearing their Little League team jersey will be admitted free on May 16 and the Speedbowl’s best will be teamed with youths in a home-run derby contest on the frontstretch.
Over Memorial Day weekend, the Speedbowl will go from thrill-seeking race fans to the mayhem of Memorial Day Madness within hours. The ISMA Supermodifieds roll into town for their electrifying 50-lap season opener on Saturday May 23, while on Sunday, May 24 demolition will be the name of the game. The jaw-dropping speeds and appearance of the Supermodified – with some of the largest slick tires used in asphalt racing and roll cage mounted wings – truly make it a unique piece of racing equipment. Add to that an offset fuel injected engine capable of producing over 800-horsepower, and the Supermodified becomes arguably the most impressive short track race car known. They routinely circle the three eighths mile oval in blazing 12 second laps and are a must see event. They’ll be joined by a full card of NASCAR Whelen All-American Series feature events, led by the SK Modifieds.
On Sunday May 24, Memorial Day Madness returns with family fun including the non-stop pounding of four and eight-cylinder demolition derbies, the return of the popular speedway bowling, the literal carnage of trailer racing and much more. Those interested in competing in the events should contact the track office for details.
The active month closes with the rescheduled Budweiser Modified Nationals on Saturday May 30. Headlined by the $5,000 to win, 150-lap SK Modified race, the groundpounders will be joined by extra-distance features for the Late Models, Street Stocks, and Mini Stocks. A stellar field of SK teams will be on hand for the event. Qualifying was completed March 28, with Keith Rocco setting fast time in the SK Modifieds and Bruce Thomas Jr. in the Late Models. The event, originally scheduled for March 29, was rained out. The Pro-4 Modifieds will join the rescheduled event and add to the excitement on May 30. The night will also play host to Scout Night, where any Scouts or Scout leaders in uniform will be admitted free of charge. The popular pre-race pit party, giving fans the opportunity to see the cars and meet the stars, begins at 5pm.
For more information on any of May’s events please visit www.speedbowl.com or contact the track office at (860)442-1585.
Sources: Waterford Speedbowl PR