Zachem, Coates, Wrenn, Nocella, Logan, Lomartire, Beal among Budweiser Blastoff Saturday Winners
Waterford, CT — Waterford Speedbowl kicked off its 60th consecutive season of operation with the opening day of Budweiser Blastoff Weekends. Fourteen divisions qualified, highlighted by the Modified Racing Series, NEMA Midgets and the ‘Bowl’s NASCAR Whelen All-American Series divisions. Eight feature races were completed on the day, recording the first winners of the season.
Max Zachem of Preston checkered an entertaining 25-lap Legends Car race. Shaun Buffington of Plainfield jumped to the race lead from his pole starting position until lap seven when contact from second place runner Anthony Flannery sent Buffington spinning, resulting in a caution flag with both drivers resuming at the rear. Max Zachem of Preston took over at the front over a heated battle behind for the top five positions. Zachem was challenged by Giovanni Giarratana and Dana Dimatteo over the latter portion of the race, holding them off in exciting fashion.
Allen Coates of Ledyard moved outside Howard Payne to battle for the race lead in the 25-lap NASCAR Whelen All American Series Truck race. After a clean side-by-side battle, Coates pulled away on lap four and slowly pulled away from the field for his 72nd career win at the track, fifth all-time.
Photo Galleries
[Waterford – Budweiser Blastoff 03/27/10] by Adam Fohlin
[Waterford – Budweiser Blastoff 03/28/10] by Adam Fohlin
[Waterford – Budweiser Blastoff 03/27/10] by Nicholas Teto
[Waterford – Budweiser Blastoff 03/28/10] by Nicholas Teto
Norm Wrenn of Nashau, NH continued his unbeaten streak in the Pro4 Modifieds of New England at the track, winning the divisions 25-lap race after passing Tyler Anderson.
Anthony Nocella made a dazzling last lap pass to checker an exciting 25-lap NEMA Lite feature race.
Youngster Chris Lomartire of Massachusetts was awarded the win in the 15-lap Bandolero event.
Charles Beal of Ledyard won the caution free Super X-Car race. The X-Car race was not complete at press time.
Ron Yuhas Jr., Keith Rocco and Jeff Paul ,the top three points contenders from 2009, won the SK Modified® qualifying races.
The action begins at 9:30am Sunday with the Speedbowl Pit Party, where fans can see the cars and meet the stars before racing at noon. The 100-lap Modified Racing Series race highlights the racing, plus a 60-lap SK Modified® race and 25-lap NEMA Midget race. The Late Models, Street Stocks, and Mini Stocks round out the racing. More information is available at www.speedbowl.com.
NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Truck Feature (25 laps): 1. Allen Coates, Ledyard; 2. Greg Butler, E.Hampton; 3. Chris Correll, Old Lyme; 4. Scott Gregory, Westbrook; 5. Howard Payne, Shelton; 6. Keith Chapman, Mystic; 7. Tim Black, Mystic; 8. Jim Wray, Mystic; 9. Corey Coates, Ledyard; 10. Dan Butler, E. Hampton; 11. Brad Caddick, New London; 12. Bill Leonard, Wood River Jct; 13. John Warren
NEMA Lites (25 laps): 1. Anthony Nocella, Woburn, MA; 2. Todd Bertrand; 3. Russ Wood Jr., Pelham, NH; 4. Eric Cabral, Manchester, NH; 5. Randy Cabral, Plymouth, MA; 6. Jake Smith, Stroudsburg, PA; 7. Lansen Fornoro; 8. BJ MacDonald; 9. Bethany Viets, Manchester; 10. Kevin Park, Foxboro, MA; 11. Dave Moniz, Fairhaven, MA; 12. Joey Mucciacciaro, Wolcott; 13. Chris Haskell
Pro4 Modifieds of New England (25 laps): 1. Norm Wrenn, Nashua, NH; 2. Tyler Anderson, Nashua, NH; 3. Dave Richardi, N. Easton, MA; 4. Brian Vincent, W. Warwick, RI; 5. Adam Norton; 6. Rob Richardi Jr., N. Easton, MA; 7. Stan Mertz, Whitinsville, MA; 8. Billy Joerres, Somerset, MA; 9. Mark Charette, Wolcott; 10. Kurt Vigeant; 11. George Sherman, Framingham, MA; 12. Phil Lausie, Hudson, NH
Allison Legacy North Feature winner top-five (25 laps): 1. James Logan, Dighton, MA; 2. Eric Bourgeois, East Haddam; 3. Paul Tuthill, Washingtonville, NY; 4. Emily Packard, E. Montpelier, VT; 5.Kyle Poodiack, Bennington, VT
Legends Car Feature results (25 laps): 1. Max Zachem, Preston; 2. Giovanni Giarratana, Newington; 3. Shaun Buffington, Plainfield; 4. Jason Palmer, Berlin; 5. Anthony Flannery, E. Hampton; 6. Dana Dimatteo, Farmington; 7. Dennis Pantani, Branford; 8. Alessandro Vitelli, Woodbridge; 9. Carl Blandina, Milford; 10. Angelo Belsito, Auburn, MA; 11. Joe Bavolacco, Stratford; 12. William Munro, N. Branford; 13. Peter Portante, Plainville; 14. Ryan Morgan, Mystic; 15. Peter Cirilli, Farmington; 16. Troy Talman, Oxford; 17. Jake Spillers, Ashburnham, MA; 18. Dylan Izzo, Monroe; 19. Joey Mucciacciaro, Wolcott; 20. Paul Kusheba IV, Monroe; 21. Kyle Rogers, Waterbury; 22. Nick Ladyga, Voluntown; 23. Tom Gray, Sprague; 24. Ed Field, Deep River; 25. Dave Garbo Jr., Stonington; 26. Michael Blaskey, Bethany; 27. Christian Pedersen; 28. Carl Bohn, Waterford; DNS – Joey Campbell
Bandoleros (15 laps): 1. Chris Lomartire, Millbury, MA; 2. Taylor Martin, Windham; 3. Garrett Denton, Hope Valley, RI; 4. Tyler Chalue, Dudley, MA; 5. Chace Wood, Danielson; 6. Rachel Forte, Douglas, MA; 7. Jordan Lamothe, Woodstock; 8. Corey Dimatteo, Farmington; 9. Nicholas Matera, Warwick, RI; 10. Ken Morin Jr., Old Saybrook; 11. Nicholas Sowa, Old Saybrook; 12. Daniel Stolte, Northbridge, MA; DQ – Jordan Churchill, Lisbon.
Sources: Waterford Speedbowl PR