Coury Jr., Cassidy Jr., Beal, D’addario & Sweet find Victory Lane; Christopher sets fast time for Budweiser Modified Nationals
Waterford, CT — Waterford Speedbowl was in action with day one of Finale Weekend on Saturday. Qualifying for the Budweiser Modified Nationals and ACT-150 events was completed on the day. Ted Christopher of Plainville took the Bud Pole Award for the $5,000 to win SK Modified® race setting a fast lap of 14.061 seconds in time trials. Five feature events were also completed on the day with Wayne Coury Jr. of Milford found the winner’s circle in the Outlaw Stock race while Allen Coates of Ledyard was the winner of the Trucks in competition for the race. Speedbowl Mini Stock champion Ken Cassidy Jr. of Lisbon took the checkered flag in the Outlaw Mini Stock feature. Wild ‘n Wacky Wednesday champions Charles Beal of Ledyard and Dan D’addario of Columbia took down wins in the Super X and X-Car features, while Nick Sweet from Barre, VT was the Allison Legacy Series race winner.
In Budweiser Modified National time trials, Christopher tied the previous division record lap to take the $500.00 bonus. He bested Shawn Solomito, Jeff Rocco, 2010 NASCAR Whelen All-American Series national champion Keith Rocco and defending event winner Ron Yuhas Jr. The top-20 cars were qualified by time with 2004 track champion Ed Reed Jr. winning the consolation race. Reed was qualifying the car for fellow racer Justin Gaydosh who will start scratch in the event. Seven-time track champion Dennis Gada took a past champion’s provisional to enter tomorrow’s 150-lap race which will start 27 cars.
ACT Tour Late Model qualifying was also complete, setting the stage for their 150-lap season ending event. Speedbowl regular Joe Curioso, series leader Brian Hoar, and veteran racer Jean-Paul Cyr were the qualifying event winners.
[Sat. Photo Gallery] by Adam Fohlin
[Sun. Photo Gallery] by Adam Fohlin
In feature racing, the 25-lap Outlaw Stock race provided all the thrills expected from Speedbowl fans. The mix of cars and trucks from across New England once again put on an exciting event. Allen Coates got out to the lead over the first half of the race, putting a few car lengths between him and the battle for second position. Dan Flannery held that spot early however Dillon Moltz took the position on lap-5, bringing past Speedbowl track champion Ed Gertsch Jr. up to third. Flannery held fourth while a hard charging Coury was on the move looking to defend his win in the event a year ago.
Coury took fourth on lap-9 while ahead of him the lead trio tightened up. Moltz was turning up the heat on the leader Coates. Moltz was able to get the nose of his Stafford Late Model under Coates’ Truck off turn four on lap-12. Contact was made with Moltz making a great save into turn one. Gertsch laid back in third as the leaders singled out.
As the top three approached lapped traffic ahead, Coates had Moltz in his tire tracks once again. Coates split two lapped vehicles entering turn one on lap-16, however contact was made with one cutting the right front tire on his machine. Moltz, Gertsch and Coury snaked by Coates before he came to rest in turn four to bring out the event’s only caution flag.
Moltz got the jump over Gertsch on the restart. Coury was able to duck underneath Gertsch to take over second and begin his pursuit of Moltz. Gertsch tagged on to the rear bumper of Coury to stay in contention.
Coury finally found opportunity to challenge Moltz on lap-21, peeking the nose of his machine under the leader down the front stretch. Contact saw Moltz slide into turn one, able to hold on again making the save. Coury powered under Moltz and pulled away down the back chute.
Gertsch found his way under Moltz on lap-23 with Moltz fighting back, refusing to give up the second spot as the race reached the final lap. Coury was out front to nail down a repeat win in the season ending event. Moltz made a valiant effort under Gertsch for second but came up a half car short at the checkered flag. Ryan Morgan and Flannery completed the top-five.
Allen Coates was the winner of the Truck division which competed in the Outlaw Stock race.
A large field of Outlaw Mini Stocks took the green flag for their 25-lap race however trouble on the opening circuit had Ian Brew and Randy Churchill in trouble in turn two drawing the caution flag. Caution waved on lap-2 when Ken Lyke and Eric Bourgeois spun around in turn two.
Cassidy fought for the race lead over Bill Leonard and Sean Caron when racing resumed. Cassidy prevailed, bringing Caron to second past Leonard. Chris Williams, Glen Thomas Jr. and Charles Canfield ran behind as they battled for the top-five spots through lap-10.
Williams took over third looking for better. Leonard held the fourth position over Thomas, who was looking to take over that spot at halfway through the race. Out front Cassidy was in the lead by several lengths when caution waved next on lap-16 for Brent Gleason who spun in turn three.
Williams raced hard outside Cassidy for the race lead. Behind those two, Thomas and Leonard were battling side-by-side for third. While the leaders were locked in a dead heat, Leonard took over third and Brew was charging through the field back to fifth. Cassidy had reclaimed the lead when caution waved for Ben Bargnesi who spun in turn two on lap-21.
Cassidy had Williams on his outside again following the restart. The two put on a great duel for the win, going door-to-door over the final four laps for the win. Cassidy went on to nip Williams at the line by inches for the exciting win. Williams, Leonard, Brew and Canfield completed the top-five finishers.
Beal led from the start of the 25-lap Super X-Car feature. He and Frank Alessio checked out over the competition behind over the first half of the race. Caution on lap-13 erased their sizeable lead over the field.
Alessio was able to stay on Beal’s rear bumper throughout the second half of the event, but could not muster the move to pull alongside the Wednesday night champion. Beal took the win ahead of Alessio, John Yagmin, Dan Moon and Danny Figueiredo completed the top-five.
Chris Garside led early in the 25-lap X-Car race but Wednesday division champion Dan D’addario moved in by lap-5. He found room to Garside’s inside, making the pass a lap later to take over as the new leader. Jeremy Bourbeau reached Garside by lap-10 for second. They battled the second half of the race for the spot with Patrick Williams looking for room to get around both.
D’addario pulled out to a commanding lead over the remainder of the green-to-checkered race. Garside held on to second. Williams got around Bourbeau for third by the checkered flag. Onie Pierce rounded out the top-five finishers.
Sunday action will see the Budweiser Modified Nationals 150-lap SK Modified® event, ACT Late Model Tour 150-lap race, 50-lap Street Stock race and 25-lap Legends Car race in competition. An on-track Pit Party begins the festivities at 9:30am allowing fans to meet and greet the cars and stars of the racing. WCTY, the event sponsor, will be on-site with giveaways for fans of all ages. The first green flag is set to wave at 12:30pm. Full details are available on Speedbowl.com
Finale Weekend Saturday 10/9 Results and standings:
Outlaw Stocks (25-laps): 1.Wayne Coury, Milford; 2. Ed Gertsch Jr., East Haven, 3. Dillon Moltz, Waterford; 4. Ryan Morgan, Mystic; 5. Dan Flannery, Ellington; 6. Derek McLellan, Palainville; 7. Kevin Gambacorta, Ellington; 8. Jack Aquilina, Oakdale; 9. Josh Galvin, Franklin; 10. Brandon Plemons, Uncasville; 11. Richard Avino, North Haven; 12. Jon Porter, Canterbury; 13. Bobby Stirk, Naugatuck; 14. Dan Moon, Exeter, RI; 15. Al Stone III, New Haven; 16. Ronald Oldham Jr., Westbrook
Truck Results (25-laps): 1. Allen Coates, Ledyard; 2. Steve Johnston, Wood River Jct, RI; 3. Jesse Birden; 4. Doug Dunleavy Sr., Bridgewater; 5. Corey Coates, Ledyard; 6. Doug Dunleavy Jr., Bridgewater
Outlaw Mini Stock Madness (25-laps): 1. Ken Cassidy Jr., Lisbon; 2. Chris Williams, Waterford; 3. Bill Leonard, Wood River Jct, RI; 4. Ian Brew, Wood River Jct, RI; 5. Charles Canfield, New Haven; 6. Randy Churchill Jr., Oakdale; 7. Christina Kellerman, Stratford; 8. Sean Caron, East Hampton; 9. Eric Bourgeois, East Haddam; 10. Dale Sherman, Charlestown, RI; 11. Ryan Cipows, Seymour; 12. Ben Bargnesi, Norwich; 13. Alan Hall Jr., North Haven; 14. Brent Gleason, Oakdale; 15. Pete Zaikarite, Niantic; 16. Ken Lyke III, Orange; 17. Christopher Ivory, Oakdale; 18. Glenn Colvin, Clinton; 19. Arthur Phillips, Norwich; 20. Glen Thomas Jr., Groton; 21. Phil Evans, Uncasville; 22. Mark Caise, Gales Ferry; 23. Douglas Curry, Groton; 24. Onie Pierce, Norwich; 25. Mark Panaroni, Ivoryton; 26. John Kelly, New London; 27. Jeff Civardi, Preston; 28. Mike Trask, Plainfield; 29. Curtis D’Addario Sr., Columbia; 30. Wayne Shifflett, Preston
Super X-Car (25-laps): 1. Charles Beal, Ledyard ; 2. Frank Alessio, Colchester; 3. John Yagmin, Tolland; 4. Dan Moon, Exeter, RI; 5. Danny Figueiredo, Wethersfield; 6. Jim Boyle, East Windsor; 7. Gary Avery Jr., North Franklin; 8. Ed Ryan, Preston; 9. Richard Avino, North Haven; 10. Mike Porter, Griswold; 11. RJ Cunningham, Clinton; 12. Paul Sheldon, Guilford; 13. Jon Porter, Canterbury
X-Car (25-laps): 1. Dan D’Addario, Columbia; 2. Christopher Garside, Waterford; 3. Patrick Williams, Middletown; 4. Jeremy Bourbeau, Taftville; 5. Onie Pierce, Norwich; 6. Pete Zaikarite, Niantic; 7. Christopher Ivory, Oakdale; 8. Brad Voglesong, Middletown; 9. Wayne Shifflett, Preston; 10. Ken Holbrook, Shannock, RI; 11. Scott Limkemann, East Lyme; 12. Rick Mollo, Seymour; 13. Arthur Phillips, Norwich; 14. Kim Bickford, Jewett City; 15. Shawn Stula, Colchester; 16. Mike Trask, Plainfield
Allison Legacy North Series (25-laps): 1. Nick Sweet, Barre, VT; 2. James Logan, Dighton, MA; 3. Kyle Poodiack, Bennington, NH; 4. Emily Packard, East Montpelier, VT; 5. Anthony Ryan, Danbury; 6. Peter Portante, Plaineville; 7. TJ Jeski, Dracut, MA; 8. Troy McNeil, Fichburgh, MA; 9. Nicoal Perrault, Northfield, NH; 10. Melissa Fifield, Wakefield, NH
Budweiser Modified Nationals SK-150 Starting Line-up & Qualifying Results (Time Trials):
1. Ted Christopher, Plainville 14.061 (ties division track qualifying record)
2. Shawn Solomito, Islip, NY 14.104
3. Jeff Rocco, Wallingford 14.184
4. Keith Rocco, Wallingford 14.189
5. Ron Yuhas Jr., Groton 14.237
6. Tyler Chadwick, Ledyard 14.237
7. Nichole Morgillo, Yalesville 14.239
8. Mark Bakaj, Lebanon 14.297
9. Diego Monahan, Quaker Hill 14.303
10. Frank Mucciacciaro Jr., Milford 14.317**
11. Rob Janovic Jr., Waterford 14.318
12. Joe Perry, Ashaway, RI 14.330
13. Matt Gallo, Kensington 14.339
14. Jeff Pearl, Salem 14.383
15. Tucker Reynolds Jr., Westbrook 14.429
16. Dennis Charette, Southington 14.449
17. Todd Ceravolo, Gales Ferry 14.473* 1-lap penalty
18. Dave Salzarulo, Monson, MA 14.488
19. Joe Gada, Salem 14.495
20. Kyle James, Ashaway, RI 14.524
21. Justin Gaydosh, Newtown**
22. Jim Larsen Jr., East Hartland
23. Jason Palmer, Berlin
24. Victoria Bergenty, Plainville
25. Jeff Gallup, Agawam, MA
26. Adam Gada, Bozrah
27. Dennis Gada, Salem – past champion provisional
* – 1-lap qualifying penalty for rules infraction
** – will drop to rear for starting lineup
Sources: Waterford Speedbowl PR