Rocco goes back-to-back with SK Modified® win; Flannery takes first career Late Model race; Stone, Colvin, French and Downing other winners on the night
Waterford, CT — Waterford Speedbowl returned to racing action with ideal spring conditions overhead Saturday evening. Six races were completed on the night, with five NASCAR Whelen All-American Series events recorded. Wallingford’s Keith Rocco overcame early race woes before rallying over the final laps to claim his second consecutive SK Modified® victory. Anthony Flannery of East Hampton was a first time winner in the Bob Valenti Auto Mall Late Model division, Al Stone of New Haven returned to Victory Lane in the Street Stocks, Glenn Colvin of Clinton was the Mini Stock feature winner and Paul French of Andover won the debut event for the SK Light Modifieds. Ken Downing III of Branford was the Super X-Car winner.
Rob Janovic started the 35-lap SK Modified® feature outside the front row, and powered by pole sitter Glenn Pressel in the outside lane just two laps into the race. The field singled out behind Janovic with Pressel, Tucker Reynolds, Ron Yuhas and Tom Abele as the early top-five.
Rocco was on the move, using the outside lane to advance his position into the top-five by the time the race was just 10-laps old. Caution flew a lap later when Nichole Morgillo made slight contact into the tire barrier in turn four on lap-11.
Rocco used the inside lane to advance into third position behind Janovic and Reynolds following the restart. Yuhas settled into fourth position behind the top three. Turmoil unfolded behind Yuhas when Pressel was turned around in front of the field in turn four collecting several competitors to bring out caution on lap-13.
Janovic got the jump when the green flag returned, bringing Rocco to second and Yuhas up to third. That didn’t last long as Rocco went spinning from second position in turn four to bring out the caution flag again on lap-14. Yuhas was sent to the rear of the field by track officials for overaggressive driving. That put Reynolds alongside Janovic for another restart.
Janovic broke away from Reynolds when racing went back to green. Kyle James was up to third position and Jeff Pearl to fourth, however the running order would shuffle yet again following a restart on lap-20.
Janovic and Reynolds drag raced to turn one even when the race resumed. Reynolds was able to gain momentum when contact between the two caused Janovic to momentarily bobble, with Reynolds scored the leader for lap-21. Contact between the pair continued through turns one and two with Reynolds spinning to the track apron, bringing out caution. Janovic was penalized during the caution period, handing the lead to Pearl who had raced his way by James during the lap of green flag racing that was completed.
Yuhas was back in contention after rising back through the pack, moving to Pearl’s bumper following the restart. Rocco re-entered the top-five on lap-24 looking to chase down the top four. He moved outside Joe Perry to take the fourth spot on lap-29. Meanwhile, Yuhas was turning up the heat on Pearl. He was looking in both the high and low lanes trying to find a groove to challenge Pearl.
Rocco had advanced to third when a lap-32 restart set the stage for Rocco’s late race theatrics. Pearl got the jump on Yuhas, but it was Rocco who seized the opportunity to race to Pearl’s inside into turn one with a bold move. He cleared Pearl exiting turn two and was able to hold on over the final two laps to take his second consecutive win and fourth overall on the season. Pearl, Yuhas, Tyler Chadwick and Reynolds completed the top-five finishers.
Flannery dominated the 30-lap Bob Valenti Auto Mall Late Model race. He started on the pole position and battled Joe Curioso over the opening circuit before taking command. The sixteen year-old rookie went on to distance himself first over Curioso, then Vin Esposito who got around Curioso for second spot on lap-6 with last week’s winner Brian Andronaco following suit into third.
Behind the top four a battle for position had broke out between several competitors. Jason Palmer, Rich Staskowski, Jeff Smith and Bruce Thomas were jockeying to contend for the fifth spot on the track for much of the second half of the caution-free feature.
Smith was able to win out in that battle. Without caution, the top four runners held their position on the race track. Flannery nailed down the win, his first in the division in just his sixth race. Behind him Esposito, Andronaco, Curioso and Smith finished second through fifth.
The 25-lap Street Stock race saw Josh Galvin as the leader through two caution periods in the race’s first four laps. Following the second, Stone challenged Galvin in the outside lane. The defending division champion was looking for his first win of the season, running the outside groove like a Speedbowl veteran. Galvin remained tucked to Stone’s inside for the next seven laps not letting Stone out of his clutches. Stone was finally able to clear Galvin and pulled down into the race lead on lap-13.
Brandon Plemons pulled out of line from third position with mechanical woes that same lap, giving Stone and Galvin a half straight away advantage over a battle for position between Chris Meyer, Ed Puleo and Ernie Larose. Puleo and Meyer waged an entertaining duel for third before Puleo slipped away into the position on lap-20.
Out front Stone was uninterrupted to win, going on to his first win on the season by three car lengths. Galvin stayed in contention over the final laps but ran out of opportunity. Puleo was third ahead of Meyer, coming back after a heat race incident sent him to a backup car for the feature. Larose was fifth.
Charles Canfield took the early lead in the 25-lap Mini Stock race. Colvin was moving up early, pulling into contention within the first five laps. He raced to the outside of Canfield on lap-5, with both leaders coming wide out of turn four but staying alongside one another. Canfield momentarily hung on to his lead with last week’s winner Jeff Cembruch hot on the tail of the lead two as they battled out front. Colvin was eventually able to overtake Canfield then gradually built up a comfortable lead once in command.
The race remained caution-free, catapulting Colvin to his first win in the division since 2008. The battle for position behind Colvin was intense between several competitors. Point leader Bill Leonard was on the move, getting around both Cembruch and Canfield to take over second position. Defending champion Ken Cassidy Jr. was in pursuit behind Leonard, coming up to third. Those two set chase on Colvin, leaving a five-car battle for fourth position all the way to the checkered flag.
As Colvin cruised to the win, Leonard and Cassidy teamed up to cross the stripe nose-to-tail for second and third positions, while Cembruch bested the battle to hang on to fourth position ahead of Ray Christian III.
The debut of the SK Light Modified division at the Speedbowl saw French jump out to the early lead in the 25-lap race. He took over from the outside pole starting position over Chris Correll when the green flag waved. As Correll slipped back, Corey Larson moved into second position. The race ran caution-free until Victoria Bergenty spun between turns one and two drawing the event’s only yellow flag on lap-14. While under caution Greg Moran Sr. suffered mechanical failure, giving up his top-five run.
French dominated the restart as Larson slipped. Larson gave up second position to Steve Greer, while Bubby Brouwer came up to third. French moved out to a several car length lead over the battle behind him. Brouwer pressured Greer for second, eventually taking the position with an inside maneuver on lap-17.
Once in second, Brouwer led a train of cars back to contend French in the final laps. Just as the field caught French, the white flag was in the air. Brouwer tried a last lap move out of turn four to challenge for the win, to no avail. French won ahead of Brouwer, Greer, Larson and Bergenty.
Downing battled Peter Pollard during the middle portion of the 20-lap Saturday Showdown Series event for the Super X-Car division. Downing used the bottom of the track on his way to victory. Behind him, Pollard, Frank Alessio, Ed Ryan and Jim Boyle were the top-five finishers.
Waterford Speedbowl has a busy week ahead with four events over a five-day stretch. It all starts with Wild ‘n Wacky Wednesday with a full five-event program on tap, plus the completion of the final 13-laps of the suspended Legends Cars event from May 18. In addition to Wednesday, the shoreline oval will be in action for Friday’s Show and Go at the ‘Bowl with spectator drags and cruise night car show. On Saturday, the ISMA Supermodifieds make their first of two visits to the Speedbowl on the year as they join the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series divisions for a night of speed. On Sunday night, Memorial Day Madness takes over featuring Demo Derbies, Speedbowl Trailer Race, Ski Race and more all capped off by an aerial fireworks display.
Points As of May 21
Bandoleros – Sat. Showdown Series
Taylor Martin 36.00
Jordan Churchill 26.00
Cory Dimatteo 26.00
Bandoleros – Wednesday
Rachel Forte 101.00
Taylor Martin 93.00
Joey Ternullo 88.00
Legends Cars – Saturday
Paul Kusheba IV 193.00
Giovanni Giarratana 191.00
Dana Dimatteo 190.00
Legends Cars – Wednesday
Dana Dimatteo 55.00
Giovanni Giarratana 48.00
Angelo Belsito 46.00
Mini Stocks
Bill Leonard 277.00
Glenn Colvin 263.00
Jeffrey Cembruch 253.00
SK Light Modifieds
Paul French 55.00
Richard Brouwer 48.00
Steve Greer 46.00
Sk Modifieds
Keith Rocco 276.00
Jeff Pearl 255.00
Tyler Chadwick 239.00
Street Stocks
Ed Puleo 303.00
Al Stone III 281.00
Josh Galvin 243.00
Super X-Cars – Sat. Showdown Series
Frank Alessio 31.00
Ed Ryan 27.00
Jim Boyle 24.00
Super X-Cars – Wednesday
Mike Maskell II 101.00
Frank Alessio 99.00
Ken Downing III 96.00
Valenti Auto Mall Late Models
Jeff Smith 275.00
Bruce Thomas Jr 274.00
Brian Andronaco Jr. 267.00
X-Cars – Sat. Showdown Series
Glen Thomas Jr. 24.00
Patrick Williams 20.00
Michael Marvin 17.00
X-Cars – Wednesday
Glen Thomas Jr. 110.00
Patrick Williams 96.00
Pete Zaikarite 90.00
May 21, 2011 – Saturday 5/21 NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Results
Saturday 5/21 NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Results
Rocco goes back-to-back with SK Modified® win; Flannery takes first career Late Model race
Stone, Colvin, French and Downing other winners on the night
Waterford, CT (May 21, 2011) – Waterford Speedbowl returned to racing action with ideal spring conditions overhead Saturday evening. Six races were completed on the night, with five NASCAR Whelen All-American Series events recorded. Wallingford’s Keith Rocco overcame early race woes before rallying over the final laps to claim his second consecutive SK Modified® victory. Anthony Flannery of East Hampton was a first time winner in the Bob Valenti Auto Mall Late Model division, Al Stone of New Haven returned to Victory Lane in the Street Stocks, Glenn Colvin of Clinton was the Mini Stock feature winner and Paul French of Andover won the debut event for the SK Light Modifieds. Ken Downing III of Branford was the Super X-Car winner.
Rob Janovic started the 35-lap SK Modified® feature outside the front row, and powered by pole sitter Glenn Pressel in the outside lane just two laps into the race. The field singled out behind Janovic with Pressel, Tucker Reynolds, Ron Yuhas and Tom Abele as the early top-five.
Rocco was on the move, using the outside lane to advance his position into the top-five by the time the race was just 10-laps old. Caution flew a lap later when Nichole Morgillo made slight contact into the tire barrier in turn four on lap-11.
Rocco used the inside lane to advance into third position behind Janovic and Reynolds following the restart. Yuhas settled into fourth position behind the top three. Turmoil unfolded behind Yuhas when Pressel was turned around in front of the field in turn four collecting several competitors to bring out caution on lap-13.
Janovic got the jump when the green flag returned, bringing Rocco to second and Yuhas up to third. That didn’t last long as Rocco went spinning from second position in turn four to bring out the caution flag again on lap-14. Yuhas was sent to the rear of the field by track officials for overaggressive driving. That put Reynolds alongside Janovic for another restart.
Janovic broke away from Reynolds when racing went back to green. Kyle James was up to third position and Jeff Pearl to fourth, however the running order would shuffle yet again following a restart on lap-20.
Janovic and Reynolds drag raced to turn one even when the race resumed. Reynolds was able to gain momentum when contact between the two caused Janovic to momentarily bobble, with Reynolds scored the leader for lap-21. Contact between the pair continued through turns one and two with Reynolds spinning to the track apron, bringing out caution. Janovic was penalized during the caution period, handing the lead to Pearl who had raced his way by James during the lap of green flag racing that was completed.
Yuhas was back in contention after rising back through the pack, moving to Pearl’s bumper following the restart. Rocco re-entered the top-five on lap-24 looking to chase down the top four. He moved outside Joe Perry to take the fourth spot on lap-29. Meanwhile, Yuhas was turning up the heat on Pearl. He was looking in both the high and low lanes trying to find a groove to challenge Pearl.
Rocco had advanced to third when a lap-32 restart set the stage for Rocco’s late race theatrics. Pearl got the jump on Yuhas, but it was Rocco who seized the opportunity to race to Pearl’s inside into turn one with a bold move. He cleared Pearl exiting turn two and was able to hold on over the final two laps to take his second consecutive win and fourth overall on the season. Pearl, Yuhas, Tyler Chadwick and Reynolds completed the top-five finishers.
Flannery dominated the 30-lap Bob Valenti Auto Mall Late Model race. He started on the pole position and battled Joe Curioso over the opening circuit before taking command. The sixteen year-old rookie went on to distance himself first over Curioso, then Vin Esposito who got around Curioso for second spot on lap-6 with last week’s winner Brian Andronaco following suit into third.
Behind the top four a battle for position had broke out between several competitors. Jason Palmer, Rich Staskowski, Jeff Smith and Bruce Thomas were jockeying to contend for the fifth spot on the track for much of the second half of the caution-free feature.
Smith was able to win out in that battle. Without caution, the top four runners held their position on the race track. Flannery nailed down the win, his first in the division in just his sixth race. Behind him Esposito, Andronaco, Curioso and Smith finished second through fifth.
The 25-lap Street Stock race saw Josh Galvin as the leader through two caution periods in the race’s first four laps. Following the second, Stone challenged Galvin in the outside lane. The defending division champion was looking for his first win of the season, running the outside groove like a Speedbowl veteran. Galvin remained tucked to Stone’s inside for the next seven laps not letting Stone out of his clutches. Stone was finally able to clear Galvin and pulled down into the race lead on lap-13.
Brandon Plemons pulled out of line from third position with mechanical woes that same lap, giving Stone and Galvin a half straight away advantage over a battle for position between Chris Meyer, Ed Puleo and Ernie Larose. Puleo and Meyer waged an entertaining duel for third before Puleo slipped away into the position on lap-20.
Out front Stone was uninterrupted to win, going on to his first win on the season by three car lengths. Galvin stayed in contention over the final laps but ran out of opportunity. Puleo was third ahead of Meyer, coming back after a heat race incident sent him to a backup car for the feature. Larose was fifth.
Charles Canfield took the early lead in the 25-lap Mini Stock race. Colvin was moving up early, pulling into contention within the first five laps. He raced to the outside of Canfield on lap-5, with both leaders coming wide out of turn four but staying alongside one another. Canfield momentarily hung on to his lead with last week’s winner Jeff Cembruch hot on the tail of the lead two as they battled out front. Colvin was eventually able to overtake Canfield then gradually built up a comfortable lead once in command.
The race remained caution-free, catapulting Colvin to his first win in the division since 2008. The battle for position behind Colvin was intense between several competitors. Point leader Bill Leonard was on the move, getting around both Cembruch and Canfield to take over second position. Defending champion Ken Cassidy Jr. was in pursuit behind Leonard, coming up to third. Those two set chase on Colvin, leaving a five-car battle for fourth position all the way to the checkered flag.
As Colvin cruised to the win, Leonard and Cassidy teamed up to cross the stripe nose-to-tail for second and third positions, while Cembruch bested the battle to hang on to fourth position ahead of Ray Christian III.
The debut of the SK Light Modified division at the Speedbowl saw French jump out to the early lead in the 25-lap race. He took over from the outside pole starting position over Chris Correll when the green flag waved. As Correll slipped back, Corey Larson moved into second position. The race ran caution-free until Victoria Bergenty spun between turns one and two drawing the event’s only yellow flag on lap-14. While under caution Greg Moran Sr. suffered mechanical failure, giving up his top-five run.
French dominated the restart as Larson slipped. Larson gave up second position to Steve Greer, while Bubby Brouwer came up to third. French moved out to a several car length lead over the battle behind him. Brouwer pressured Greer for second, eventually taking the position with an inside maneuver on lap-17.
Once in second, Brouwer led a train of cars back to contend French in the final laps. Just as the field caught French, the white flag was in the air. Brouwer tried a last lap move out of turn four to challenge for the win, to no avail. French won ahead of Brouwer, Greer, Larson and Bergenty.
Downing battled Peter Pollard during the middle portion of the 20-lap Saturday Showdown Series event for the Super X-Car division. Downing used the bottom of the track on his way to victory. Behind him, Pollard, Frank Alessio, Ed Ryan and Jim Boyle were the top-five finishers.
Waterford Speedbowl has a busy week ahead with four events over a five-day stretch. It all starts with Wild ‘n Wacky Wednesday with a full five-event program on tap, plus the completion of the final 13-laps of the suspended Legends Cars event from May 18. In addition to Wednesday, the shoreline oval will be in action for Friday’s Show and Go at the ‘Bowl with spectator drags and cruise night car show. On Saturday, the ISMA Supermodifieds make their first of two visits to the Speedbowl on the year as they join the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series divisions for a night of speed. On Sunday night, Memorial Day Madness takes over featuring Demo Derbies, Speedbowl Trailer Race, Ski Race and more all capped off by an aerial fireworks display.
Sources: Waterford Speedbowl PR