Hutchings Takes first ‘Bowl SK win; Thomas, Hovey, Cassidy, Morgan also reach Victory Lane
Waterford, CT — A special night of NASCAR racing on Wednesday, July 22nd featured another round of quick and entertaining action from the Speedbowl’s four NASCAR Whelen All American Series divisions plus the Legends Cars. Salem’s Corey Hutchings grabbed his first open-wheel win at the ‘Bowl, holding off the competition in a fiercely competitive SK Modified event. Groton’s Bruce Thomas Jr. prevailed late to win the Bob Valenti Auto Mall Late Model event, while it was Walt Hovey Jr. of Chaplin taking the Street Stock win. Defending Norwich Bulletin Mini Stock champion Ken Cassidy Jr. returned to Victory Lane, as did Ryan Morgan in Legends Car action.
Frank Mucciacciaro and Wendell Dailey brought the open wheel SK Modifieds to green for a thrilling 35-lap event. Mucciacciaro led the first five laps before caution waved for Joey Gada who spun off turn two. Corey Hutchings took over following the restart. Mucciacciaro lost traction in turn two on lap nine, creating a tense moment for the field behind and sending several cars spinning including Speedbowl and national NASCAR Whelen All American Series points leader Keith Rocco. Rocco, of Wallingford, joined several competitors who pitted for service during caution and resumed from the rear.
[Photo Gallery] by Nicholas Teto
When the field returned to green flag racing, they clicked off the final 26 laps in exciting fashion. Hutchings resumed at the point with Rob Janovic Jr. looking for an opening to challenge for the lead. Ron Yuhas Jr. advanced to third and immediately joined the lead duo looking for more. While Janovic tested Hutchings, Yuhas was looking to snag the second spot. Meanwhile, Rocco was stuck in traffic further in the pack trying to advance back into the top ten.
Janovic made an impressive move diving outside Hutchings with 12 laps remaining. He was able to pull alongside while Yuhas tucked in close behind waiting for either Hutchings or Janovic to make their move. Janovic fell back into the clutches of Yuhas with ten laps remaining. The pair got crossed up off turn four battling for second, with Yuhas recovering to hang on to the spot while Janovic went spinning in front of the field exiting turn four. He continued on without caution, losing several positions in the process however. Hutchings was able to open up a brief breather up front following the turn of events.
Yuhas closed back in and was on Hutchings bumper with just four laps to go. He immediately looked for a lane on Hutchings, peeking outside. While Hutchings was able to fend off Yuhas momentarily, the two-time winner this year continued to hound Hutchings who was seeking his first Speedbowl SK win. As the leaders took the white flag, Yuhas made another bold outside move. He was able to pull outside Hutchings right rear exiting turn two and get the crowd on their feet for the finish. Hutchings was able to prevail by half a car over Yuhas at the stripe in a classic Speedbowl duel. Tyler Chadwick finished third, Dennis Gada fourth, and Jeff Paul rounded out the top five finishers.
With the win, Hutchings has now captured victories in three of the four Speedbowl NASCAR divisions. He was a past Street Stock and Late Model track champion. The win gives him 42 over his Speedbowl career dating back to 1997.
The Bob Valenti Auto Mall Late Model field rolled out for their 30-lap feature with Seymour driver Vin Esposito grabbing the early lead over Ernie Bertrand. Points leader Bruce Thomas Jr. emerged into the top five by lap four while Bertrand, of North Branford, looked under Esposito for the lead one lap later. Bertrand made the move work to take over at the front and began to move away from the field. Caution waved for the first time on lap 10 when Waterford’s Tony Macrino spun in turn three.
Caution waved again on the restart when Joe Curioso and Tim Jordan got together, spinning off the backchute. When racing action resumed, the field raced the final 19 laps to the checkered. Thomas had taken second and moved to Bertrand’s bumper as the field reached the halfway marker. A great battle for third was taking place between Rich Staskowski and Jeff Smith that lasted for several laps while Thomas stalked Bertrand. Thomas found room under Bertrand entering turn three on lap 17, but Bertrand was able to fend off the multi-time winner and track champion. Thomas moved back in line to regroup, spending the next several laps sizing up Bertrand.
As the race wore on, the leaders continued to entertain. Thomas made an outside move into turn one to pull alongside, and the pair raced side-by-side for the win with the laps clicking off. Thomas finally cleared Bertrand to take sole possession of the lead down the backstretch with two laps remaining and went on to his eighth win of the year. Bertrand was impressive in finishing second, while Staskowski won the battle for third over Smith. Jordan rebounded for fifth at the checkered.
The Street Stocks put on a quick and entertaining 20-lap event to start off the program. Ed Puleo and Jack Aquilina brought the field to green with Puleo taking the event lead. Puleo, of Branford, checked out leaving the field behind to battle for position. Points leaders Ronnie Oldham Jr. and Brandon Plemons were mired in traffic early, looking to work through the pack. The race stayed green and at halfway, Puleo continued to enjoy a comfortable advantage over Aquilina, Walt Hovey, Al Stone III, and Ted Dupre in the top five. Hovey had moved past Aquilina for second, and Oldham was moving his way into the top five when trouble struck the leader.
Puleo dropped off the pace with mechanical failure, retiring his #55 machine to the infield and giving up his impressive lead. Hovey, of Chaplin, took over at the front with Aquilina on his tail and Oldham moving to third. Hovey stretched out his lead in the remaining laps to go on to the green to checker event win by several car lengths. Oakdale driver Aquilina turned in his best performance of the year to claim second over Oldham, Ted Dupre, and Plemons.
The Norwich Bulletin Mini Stocks put on a great 20-lap event to conclude the night’s racing program. Ken Cassidy Jr. and Kyle James waged a battle to the checkered with the defending division champion Cassidy coming out on top. Chris Correll and Jeff Mehlenbacher led field to green. Correll moved out front but birthday boy Nick Pappacoda was strong in taking over at the top in the early laps. Cassidy, of Lisbon, moved in to challenge inside Pappacoda as the field completed lap nine. James looked strong in third. As the race up front was hitting its stride, points leader and four time feature winner Danny Field was boxed in traffic outside the top five at the event’s halfway point.
Pappacoda was hanging strong outside Cassidy for multiple laps with James tucked in close behind. Cassidy finally got the advantage in the low lane to take over with seven laps remaining. James followed suit a lap later for second. Field was looking outside Louis Bellisle for fourth, taking the spot with six laps remaining.
The lead duo opened up some room to work over the final five laps. James turned up the heat as they reached the white flag, making contact as the pair entered turn one. Both cars got momentarily crossed up but both drivers were able to pick up where they left off. That was James’ last major threat as Cassidy went on to the checkered flag, his second of the year. Field grabbed third at the finish line over Pappacoda and Bellisle completed the top five.
Youngsters Tony Flannery and Joe Cipriano were at the front early in the 20-lap Legends Car event. Jason Palmer, fresh off his 50-lap national qualifier event win on Saturday, moved to the front in quick fashion to join the pair at the front, moving to the lead on lap three. Mystic’s Ryan Morgan was in tow behind Palmer and followed the Berlin driver into second. Cipriano and Flannery battled behind for third. Morgan proceeded to catch Palmer by halfway and began to apply pressure in a repeat of the end of Saturday’s 50-lapper. Morgan was looking low, making the move to pull alongside and edged ahead of the twelve time winner when caution waved on lap 14 for a spin in turn two.
Morgan had the advantage on the restart in the ‘Bowl’s low groove and jumped out to the lead by turn one. Cipriano temporarily moved past Palmer for second, but Palmer battled back and made his way back underneath Cipriano on lap 14. Christian Pedersen and Paul Kusheba, two young drivers impressing the fans week after week, battled for fifth behind the leaders as the leaders settled in. As the race reached three laps to go, Palmer moved back in to Morgan’s bumper looking. Caution waved with just two laps remaining for a two car spin to give Palmer one last chance at Morgan. Morgan again got a strong restart and went on to the win by five car lengths over a battle for second to the stripe. Cipriano took the spot over Palmer, with Pedersen moving to fourth ahead of Flannery who rounded out the top five.
The NASCAR Whelen All-American Series returns to action on Saturday, July 25 for the Speedbowl’s annual Nostalgia Weekend. The NEMA Midgets join the action for 25 exciting blistering laps around the shoreline oval. Antique race cars from NEAR, STAR, and the Vintage Midget Racing Club will be on display. Qualifying gets underway at 5:00pmm with feature events beginning at 7:00pm. Adult admission is $15 for the action-packed night, with all youth ages 6 through 14 just $5. Kids 5 and under, as always, are admitted free.
For more information and details on this and all upcoming events, please visit www.speedbowl.com or contact the track office at 860.442.1585.
Sources: Waterford Speedbowl PR
RESULTS
Norwich Bulletin Mini Stocks (20-laps): 1. Ken Cassidy Jr., Lisbon; 2. Kyle James, Ashaway, RI; 3. Danny Field, Deep River; 4. Nick Pappacoda, N. Branford; 5. Louis Bellisle III, Lisbon; 6. Mark Panaroni, Ivoryton; 7. Bill Leonard, Wood River Jct., RI; 8. Ray Christian III, Norwich; 9. Charles Canfield, New Haven; 10. Christina Cunliffe, Stratford; 11. Dale Sherman, Charlestown, RI; 12. Alan Hall Jr., North Haven; 13. Jeff Mehlenbacher, Groton; 14. Sean Caron, Hartford; 15. Greg Moran Sr., Preston; 16. Ryan Cipows, Seymour; 17. Chris Williams, Niantic; 18. Ian Brew, Wood River Jct., RI; 19. Chris Correll, Old Lyme
Street Stocks (20-laps): 1. Walt Hovey Jr., Chaplin; 2. Jack Aquilina, Oakdale; 3. Ronnie Oldham Jr., Old Saybrook; 4. Ted Dupre, Westbrook; 5. Brandon Plemons, Uncasville; 6. Jim Procaccini, Trumbull; 7. Steve Barrett, Preston; 8. Greg Moran Jr., Preston; 9. Mark Cooper, Northford; 10. Chris Meyer, N. Franklin; 11. Phil Evans, Uncasville; 12. Al Stone III, New Haven; 13. Kevin Talbot, Moosup; 14. Kevin Burr, Waterford; 15. Jesse Smith, Moodus; 16. Ed Puleo, Branford; 17. Nate Appell, Westbrook; 18. Josh Galvin, Uncasville
Bob Valenti Auto Mall Late Models (30-laps): 1. Bruce Thomas Jr., Groton; 2. Ernie Bertrand, N. Branford; 3. Rich Staskowski, Hope Valley, RI; 4. Jeff Smith, Old Lyme; 5. Tim Jordan, Plainfield; 6. Joe Curioso, Pawcatuck; 7. Vin Esposito, Seymour; 8. Larry Goss, N. Windham; 9. Tony Macrino, Waterford; 10. Mark Hudson, Norton, MA; 11. Dennis Botticello, Suffield; 12. Tom Metcalf, N. Stonington
SK Modifieds (35-laps): 1. Corey Hutchings, Salem; 2. Ron Yuhas Jr., Groton; 3. Tyler Chadwick, Ledyard; 4. Dennis Gada, Salem; 5. Jeff Paul, Ledyard; 6. Jeff Pearl, Salem; 7. Keith Rocco, Wallingford; 8. Rob Janovic Jr., Waterford; 9. Dennis Charette, Southington; 10. Wendell Dailey, Gales Ferry; 11. Joey Gada, Salem; 12. Joe Perry, Ashaway, RI; 13. Pete Pavone, Southbury; 14. Frank Mucciacciaro, Milford; 15. Mike Sweeney, Middletown; 16. Tom Abele Jr., Norwich; 17. Mark Bakaj, Farmington; 18. Mike Finkeldey, Clinton; 19. Wayne Arute, Berlin
Legends Cars (20-laps): 1. Ryan Morgan, Mystic; 2. Joe Cipriano, Waterbury; 3. Jason Palmer, Berlin; 4. Christian Pedersen, New Canaan; 5. Tony Flannery, E. Hampton; 6. Paul Kusheba IV, Monroe; 7. Dana DiMatteo, Farmington; 8. Alessandro Vitelli, Woodbridge; 9. Adam Gada, Bozrah; 10. Ricky White, N. Stonington; 11. Ed Field, Deep River; 12. Troy Talman, Oxford, MA; 13. Dave Garbo, Stonington; 14. Carl Bohn, Waterford; 15. Arthur Maurero, Baltic; 16. Peter Cirilli, Farmington