Speedbowl to Honor City of Norwich’s 350th Birthday June 20
Waterford, CT — Waterford Speedbowl has announced plans to honor the City of Norwich’s 350th Birthday celebration with a special ‘Norwich Night’ for its June 20 NASCAR Whelen All-American Series race program. All Norwich residents will receive admission of just $3.50 with proof of residency. Norwich Mayor Ben Lathrop as well as other city dignitaries will be the Speedbowl’s special guests for the evening.
“The city of Norwich and its outlying communities have played an integral role in the success of the Speedbowl over its 59 years through today” offered Speedbowl owner and promoter Terry Eames. “Some of our biggest stars have come to us from the Norwich area.”
Longtime Speedbowl and New England race fans are familiar with two of the greatest Modified drivers to ever grace the famed shoreline oval’s asphalt, Dick Beauregard and Bob Potter. Beauregard, hailing from Norwich, was one of the ‘New London-Waterford’ Speedbowl’s earliest stars going on to become the track’s second ever champion in 1952. He claimed a stunning 14 main events in winning his second championship during the 1962 season, his last. He was inducted to the Norwich Sports Hall of Fame in 2005 and ranks eighth all-time at the Speedbowl with 62 career wins.
Potter, who has called the Taftville and Occum sections of Norwich home, is arguably one of the most successful and popular chauffeurs the Speedbowl has ever had. In a racing career that began during Beauregard’s final season in 1962, Potter began winning in 1965. And then he kept on winning. Potter would go on to compete for many car owners in both Modifieds and later the SK Modified divisions tallying 94 career wins at the Speedbowl, good for third all-time. He captured six championships (1976, ’80, ’83, ’86, ’87, ’89), a record shared with Phil Rondeau until last year when Dennis Gada eclipsed that distinguished achievement. Over a 30-year span, Potter would only miss winning in four of them. He also found success at the other Connecticut ovals with more wins and championships. In 2007, Potter was bestowed a well-earned place in the New England Auto Racers Hall of Fame.
Other Speedbowl notables with Norwich ties include Ed Moody, who won an impressive 43 events over a three-year span from 1960-62 and the popular LaJeunesse family, who’ve been part of the Speedbowl for nearly its entire existence associated with names like Beauregard, Fred “Fuzzy” Baer (another of the Speedbowl’s most popular drivers), as well as their own successful and well respected racing teams.
Norwich residents remain some of the Speedbowl’s strongest supporters; no doubt due to the legacy its own have left on the track and in Victory Lane.
“It’s only fitting the Speedbowl celebrates Norwich” said Eames. “We hope for many more successful years and memories with Waterford Speedbowl.”
“Thank you to Waterford Speedbowl for the opportunity to help celebrate Norwich’s 350th Birthday with our rich history” stated Mayor Lathrop. “Growing up in Waterford, I attended many events as a small lad – and just think now I get to drive around the track”. Lathrop and other guests will receive special pace laps.
The special admission offer for Norwich residents is valid only on June 20’s racing program. Drivers license showing residency, or a city tax or utility bill along with photo ID are required to receive the $3.50 price good for both adult and youth grandstands admission. The villages of Taftville, Occum and Yantic are all included.
Tickets can be purchased on-site at the Speedbowl Box Office on June 20. The rain date will be June 27.
June’s month long celebration of Norwich’s Semiseptcentennial pays tribute to a vibrant community with a beautiful harbor on the convergence of the Thames, Shetucket and Yantic Rivers. Norwich boasts outstanding cultural attractions including two museums and numerous festivals as well as an excellent education system which includes Norwich Public Schools and Norwich Free Academy. For more information on Norwich’s 350th celebration, please visit www.norwichct350.com
A full evening of racing is set to begin at 5pm with qualifying for the Speedbowl’s four NASCAR Whelen All-American Series divisions, headlined by the SK Modifieds and joined by the Late Models, Street Stocks and Norwich Bulletin Mini Stocks. Legends Cars, five-eighths scale replica’s of the pre-WWII coupes and sedans that toured the Speedbowl years ago, also join the card. The Speedbowl offers acres of free parking. For more information on this or other upcoming events, please visit www.speedbowl.com or contact the Speedbowl track office at 860.442.1585.
Sources: Waterford Speedbowl PR