Speedbowl SK Modified® division ramping up for 2010
Waterford, CT — Every March as the winter hiatus begins to break, word of off-season moves and newcomers to the racing scene escalates to near fever pitch. The upcoming season in the SK Modified® division at the Speedbowl exemplifies that more than ever. Names synonymous with Speedbowl success plus others looking to play an active role in the track’s headline NASCAR Whelen All-American Series division have emerged, making this one of the most eventful off-seasons in recent memory.
Two past track champions lead the list of those looking to get back into weekly racing action at the ‘Bowl. Todd Ceravolo, the 1997 division champion will return to weekly action for the first time in more than a decade. Ceravolo has won 19 career races at the shoreline oval. His father Dick was the 1988 track champion. Ricky Young, the 1991 division champion also eyes a possible return to competition for the first time since 2004. He has 14 career wins, but none since 2003.
The Gada family has been synonymous with racing at the Speedbowl for more than four decades. As many as four members of the family may be in the field in 2010. Dennis Gada returns for another season looking to add to his Speedbowl-best seven career track championships. His son Joe looks to improve on a rookie campaign that saw the youngster make steady progress. Returning to the division after a few seasons away will be Mike Gada, older brother of Dennis, who has several years and victories under his belt in the division. Adam Gada, whose father David was a two-time division champion during the 1990’s, will move from the Legends Cars to the SK Mods. All told the family has 11 track championships across Speedbowl divisions and greater than 100 career victories.
The list of newcomers to the division beyond Adam Gada is strong. Nick Verno’s #25 machine will return to Speedbowl action after a year away. Joe Curioso, a former track Street Stock and Late Model division Rookie of the Year with victories in both divisions, will move up to the open wheel ranks to pilot the car. The Most Improved Driver in the Norwich Bulletin Mini Stock division in 2009, Kyle James, moves to the SK Modified® field in a family owned machine. And last year’s X-Modified champion from Wild ‘n Wacky Wednesday Dean Christensen looks to step up to Saturday nights in 2010.
Among those that will try to compete as often as possible this upcoming season include two-time Legends Cars champion at the ‘Bowl and 2009 Stafford Motor Speedway SK Modified® Rookie of the Year Mark Bakaj. Bakaj is no stranger to Speedbowl Victory Lane. Long Island competitor Shawn Solomito is also looking for success on a regular basis. The young driver ran strong in a number of his limited outings in 2009 including two top-five finishes. Diego Monahan is another working on a program that could see him on the track more often than he was a season ago. Add Glenn Pressel III to the list of drivers looking for more track time in 2010.
How these drivers plus any others sure to add themselves into the mix this year challenge the list of returning Speedbowl stalwarts remains to be seen. Defending track champion Ron Yuhas Jr. will guard his crown and Jeffrey Paul is coming off his best ever season in 2009, ending on a winning note in last year’s 100-lap Finale. Veterans Rob Janovic Jr., Jeff Pearl, Wendell Dailey, Dennis Charette and Frank Mucciacciaro will be looking for solid campaigns along with young guns Tyler Chadwick and Tom Abele Jr. Rookie of the Year and most popular driver in 2009, Joe Perry, returns as well.
Each will try to become the first of the season to reach Victory Lane at the season opening Budweiser Blastoff Weekend, March 27-28. The SK Modifieds® will compete in a special 60-lap race, commemorating the shoreline oval’s 60th consecutive season. A total of fourteen divisions will be in competition during Blastoff, which begins on Friday, March 26 with a practice session for Blastoff Weekend divisions only. Grandstands are closed on Friday. A detailed schedule of events, including gate times and pricing, is available by visiting www.speedbowl.com.
Sources: Waterford Speedbowl PR