Speedbowl Regulars Pearl, Janovic Eager for True Value Modified Event
Waterford, CT — When the True Value Modified Series makes its first visit of the season to Waterford Speedbowl on May 9 for their 100-lap event, there will be several familiar faces dotting the roster for Speedbowl fans to root on. Some competitors will be returning to the place their racing careers began, while other drivers very much in tune with the ‘Bowl’s two groove racing surface will be looking to turn a few heads. Perhaps none more excited about the event are two current competitors with great success over the years at the historic shoreline facility, Jeff Pearl and Rob Janovic Jr. Both are past Speedbowl track champions in the open-wheel ranks.
Pearl, the 1998 Speedbowl SK Modified® champion, has amassed 30 career wins behind the wheel of an SK Modified® over his 15-year ‘Bowl career, ranking third on the all-time list for the division. He’s dabbled in the True Value Series with varying success in the past, however is looking forward to the opportunities this year. “The first couple years we ran mostly with SK equipment and were a little overmatched, but we hung on for a fifth place finish our first time out” stated Pearl. “Last year we put together a car specifically to run some events with this Tour, and struggled in the luck department a little bit.” During the Wings ‘n Wheels event last August, Pearl won a heat race and was comfortably running second in the early portion of the race when mechanical failure forced him to the sidelines for the remainder of the event. “There’s certainly a level of comfort with Waterford being our home track, but we haven’t always gotten the end result. The last time out really boosted the team’s confidence, I can’t wait.”
Janovic was the runner-up in the points chase a year ago and claimed the 2007 Speedbowl SK Modified® title. He lays claim to 17 wins in the open-wheel wars at Waterford and has been in the thick of the points battle each of the past several seasons. Janovic’s excitement to test out the waters in the True Value Modified Series is evident. “We’ve got our second car ready to go with the components to be competitive on this Tour” offered Janovic, a Waterford resident. “It’s a matter of us learning the ropes and adjusting to the car, the competition and the Series in general. I’d be happy if at the end of 100-laps we could be a top ten car – that would satisfy me. If we’re in position for something more out of it, great.”
Beyond Janovic and Pearl, another driver eyeing Speedbowl glory on May 9 will be Doug Coby. Coby, who visited victory lane twice last year in an SK at the ‘Bowl, will be behind the wheel of the Czarnecki Brothers #20 entry. According to Coby, “these guys really want to win a race at Waterford.” Although it will be his first race with the team, he’s confident in the equipment he’ll have under him. “The car was fast down there last year. I love racing the ‘Bowl, so I’m looking forward to returning in a Modified and think we’ve got a pretty good shot at it”. The trio will look to represent the ‘home team’ well vs. Series veterans Kirk Alexander, Dwight Jarvis, Jack Bateman, Les Hinckley, and Rob Goodenough, the Series opener winner, to name a few.
Leading the list of True Value Modified Series stalwarts returning ‘home’ to Waterford is non-other than last year’s Series champion, Chris Pasteryak. Pasteryak began his racing career at the ‘Bowl, cutting his teeth in the Legends Cars earning track championships before moving on to the SK Modifieds. In four seasons, he won four times and finished second in 2006 points. He visited Victory Lane the last time the Series visited Waterford.
Others on the tour that have frequented Speedbowl victory lane prior to moving on in their careers include Ed Dachenhausen; Mike Holdridge, who has won in a Street Stock, Late Model, and SK; and Jim Dolan. Holdridge finished amongst the leaders in points on the Series a year ago, but would like nothing more than to pick up his first career TVMS victory at the place his racing career began and where his dad Dale found much success.
Joining the Series will be a full slate of NASCAR Whelen All-American Series action, led by the SK Modifieds for a 35-lap feature event. Janovic, Pearl, and seven-time champion Dennis Gada will all look to stop Keith Rocco’s early season win streak in the division. Qualifying action begins at 5pm with the popular True Value Modified Series heat races. Admission is priced $25 for adult grandstands and $10 for youth ages 6 to 14, and free for children 5 and under. For more information about the 2009 Speedbowl season and calendar of events, please visit www.speedbowl.com or contact track offices at 860.442.1585.
Sources: Waterford Speedbowl PR