Rocco Wins Back-to-Back SK Modified Features; Jordan, Stone, Caron & Lomartire Score Victories at Waterford
Waterford, CT — Waterford Speedbowl hosted Scout Night on Saturday evening and completed a briskly paced five-division NASCAR Whelen All-American Series race program. Scoring top honors were Keith Rocco making it two-straight wins in the SK Modifieds® and four on the year, Tim Jordan returning to the winner’s circle in the Bob Valenti Auto Mall Late Models and Al Stone III won his first of the year in the Street Stocks. Sean Caron scored a career first victory in the Norwich Bulletin Mini Stocks and young Chris Lomartire beat out the field of Bandolero racers for the victory.
Todd Ceravolo moved out to the lead at the drop of the green flag in the 35-lap SK Modified® feature. He paced the early laps over Joe Perry and Tom Abele Jr. Abele moved to second with an inside move on Perry on lap six. The early side-by-side racing prevalent throughout the field was halted on lap seven for a two car spin in turn four.
Ceravolo resumed at the front with a strong restart. The field behind was tight battling for position as Rob Janovic Jr., Ron Yuhas Jr., Rocco and Jeff Pearl were mired in the back half of the top ten looking to move up. Rocco entered turn three high and caught Justin Gaydosh off guard, sending Gaydosh spinning into the turn three barrier on lap 10 drawing another caution flag.
[Photo Gallery] by Nicholas Teto
Ceravolo was stout out front when the racing resumed. As the race wore on he pulled out to a comfortable margin. But for the fourth time in as many weeks, Ceravolo was a victim of heartbreak while turning some of the fastest laps of the night. He pulled his 16 machine low off turn four on lap 21 and slowed dramatically, surrendering the lead to Abele. Ceravolo retired on the back chute to mechanical failure while the race stayed green.
Abele was now out front with a comfortable margin over Paul. Yuhas had moved up to third and Rocco fourth. The pair was closing on Paul in second position when Rocco began to turn up the pressure on Yuhas. He looked outside for the position, and secured third spot with 12 laps to go. The top four stayed single file when caution waved again with nine laps remaining for a single car spin on the back chute.
Racing resumed promptly following the spin and the top four picked up their intense action over the next three laps. Abele and Paul raced hard into turn one on the green flag, with Rocco and Yuhas tight behind. Rocco eventually advanced inside Paul to move ahead and hold the second position when caution came out once again with just six laps remaining.
Abele was strong on the ensuing restart and pulled out ahead of Rocco. Rocco tucked behind Abele and stalked the leader, looking for opportunity. That opportunity came exiting turn two with three laps remaining. Rocco looked low and blasted past Abele with a successful inside maneuver as they reached turn three. That proved to be the winning move as the race stayed green to the checkered flag.
Rocco went on to his fourth overall win and second straight of the 2010 season. Abele hung on for a season best finish in second place. Yuhas looked all over Abele in the final lap but came up short to challenge for the position and finished third. Paul and Pearl rounded out the top five with strong runs of their own.
The Bob Valenti Auto Mall Late Model field got off to a rocky start as contact in the front group saw Kyle DeSouza getting crossed up, collecting the strong runners of Bruce Thomas Jr., Vin Esposito and Jeff Paul into the turn one wall. All but Paul were eliminated from the event.
When racing action returned on the three-eighths mile Speedbowl oval, the field settled in to complete the bulk of the 30-lap race under green flag conditions. Brian Andronaco Jr. set the pace at the front with Rich Staskowski in tow. Jordan made steady headway through the field before long and showed in the top three runners. As Jordan was advancing, Staskowski closed in and made his move on Andronaco. He took over at the front on lap 10. As the race wore on, Jordan showed patience as he methodically worked Andronaco for second and finally made the move with just five laps remaining.
Just after Jordan secured the second position trouble broke out behind. Jason Palmer was looking to challenge Andronaco for the third position when he made contact exiting turn four, sending the Andronaco car into the concrete barrier along the front stretch to bring out the second caution of the race.
The restart got hairy up front. While Staskowski was battling Jordan, veteran racer Dennis Botticello looked to make it three wide for the lead through turns one and two. Staskowski surrendered the lead and came out on the short end, his car coming to rest against the back chute barrier to send the race back to yellow with just two laps remaining.
Jordan bested Paul on the final restart and beat back all challenges to prevail in his second win of the season. Botticello was third, Palmer fourth and Ernie Bertrand completed the top five finishers.
The Street Stocks once again put on a sizzling 25-lap race. Full fendered racing was at its best with several cars in contention for the win. Stone prevailed late in the going following a restart with nine laps remaining. He moved by early leader Ed Puleo, who had led from the beginning.
Once Stone was clear of Puleo, he checked out to a five car length lead over Walt Hovey who also moved by Puleo and into second position. Defending division Brandon Plemons snaked by Puleo in the closing laps to finish third. Puleo took home a fine fourth place finish and last week’s winner Norm Sears rounded out the top five.
Caron was a first time winner in the Norwich Bulletin Mini Stocks after an impressive run in a green to checkered flag 25-lap race. The pack stayed tight thoughout but put on a dazzling display of clean and exciting racing for the Speedbowl crowd. Louis Bellisle III was the early leader before Caron moved by to take over at the front on lap 15. Caron would distance himself from Bellisle and the field behind as they rallied for position. At the checkered flag Caron was well ahead of Ken Cassidy Jr., Ian Brew, and Danny Field in the top four positions. Field’s brother Ed completed the top five finishers in his first start in the division in 2010.
Lomartire was the winner of the 20-lap Bandoleros feature race. At ten years old the winner was a fan favorite for the Scouts in attendance. He won over fellow youth Taylor Martin and Tyler Chalue.
The next event for the Waterford Speedbowl is the season opening Wild ‘n Wacky Wednesday event on Wednesday, May 5th. Entering its 10th season, Wild ‘n Wacky Wednesdays are affordable family fun at its best with wild and unpredictable stock car racing. Adults are just $7 and all youth age 14 and under are free. Gates open at 5:30pm with racing action beginning promptly at 7:00pm.
Next Saturday is Suisman Shapiro Little League Night at the Speedbowl. The track will welcome all youth wearing their Little League team jersey with free admission. The popular Sid’s Vault Home Run Derby returns where the Little Leaguers will be teamed up with Speedbowl drivers on the track for a home run competition. A five division NASCAR Whelen All-American Series program for the SK Modifieds®, the Bob Valenti Auto Mall Late Models, Street Stocks, Norwich Bulletin Mini Stocks and the Legends Cars will see be in action. Qualifying begins at 5:00pm and main events begin at 7:00pm.
Sources: Waterford Speedbowl PR