Pressel and Pearl capture bookend SK Modified® wins; Thomas, Meyer, Williams and Cipriano also score NWAAS victories; Avery in NETS winner’s circle
Waterford, CT — Waterford Speedbowl returned to action with a busy night on Saturday, hosting Whelen Engineering Night. All five NASCAR Whelen All-American Series divisions were in action, plus the visiting New England Truck Series. A held-over SK Modified® feature was also on the program making for a seven event night full of classic action at the shoreline oval in front of a jammed crowd.
Gales Ferry competitor Glenn Pressel III took down his first career win in a held over 35-lap SK Modified® race from May 28, while veteran Jeff Pearl of Salem picked up his 36th career win in the regularly scheduled feature on the night. In Bob Valenti Auto Mall Late Model action, multi-time division champion Bruce Thomas Jr. of Groton returned to the winner’s circle. Chris Meyer of North Franklin won a highly entertaining and competitive Street Stock feature, Chris Williams of Niantic won his second Mini Stock feature on the year and Joe Cipriano of Waterbury was the SK Light Modified race winner. Hometown driver Jonathon Avery of Waterford took the checkered flag in the New England Truck Series feature.
The first 35-lap SK Modified® feature started with a strong field of competitors. Pressel charged out to the early lead from the pole starting position, jumping ahead of Tom Abele Jr. during an opening eight-lap charge. Tucker Reynolds Jr., Matt Gallo and Tyler Chadwick were part of the early top-five when the first caution waved as Adam Gada and Jeff Pearl found trouble in turn four on lap-8.
After a cleanup for fluid down on the speedway, two more laps were recorded before Frank Mucciacciaro Jr. spun in turn three in the middle of the pack, returning the race to caution. Reynolds had advanced to the second spot during the sprint and lined up outside Pressel for the restart. One more lap was complete before Reynolds and Abele got together in turn two on lap-11, sending Reynolds around and Abele to the pits with suspension damage.
Rob Janovic Jr. was now outside Pressel with Chadwick and defending champion Keith Rocco lined up behind the front two looking for racing room. The action at the front was intense with the top group of cars racing just inches apart. That ended with too much contact between Chadwick and Rocco, sending both cars crashing hard into the turn three wall on lap-17. The chain reaction incident also collected Gallo, Kyle James, Reynolds and Pearl, with only Pearl able to resume. All drivers were ok following the incident.
After the delay to clear the track, Diego Monahan and Ted Christopher were behind Pressel and Janovic. Monahan got by Janovic for second position, leaving Christopher to spar with Janovic. Eventually Janovic got away in the third spot and tracked down Monahan. He moved in on Monahan’s back bumper while Christopher was all alone in fourth position. Jeffrey Gallup spun on the front chute on lap-29 to return the race to yellow flag conditions, bringing the field back to Pressel’s rear bumper.
Pressel got a clean restart and with five laps to go, Monahan bobbled in turn two backing up the outside lane. That allowed Pressel breathing room to stretch out a lead he would not surrender. He withstood a last lap challenge by Janovic, going on to the career first win. Janovic, Monahan, Christopher and Mucciacciaro completed the top five.
In the regularly scheduled 35-lap SK Modified® feature, Nichole Morgillo was out to the lead from her pole starting position. Trouble on lap-2 in turn one saw Joey Gada spin into the wall, making hard contact. Others including Pete Pavone, Christopher and Mike Gada all piled in behind to bring out the yellow flag.
Morgillo shut the door on a challenge to the low side of the track by James when racing resumed. She then settled into the groove and led James, who was ahead of a three-way battle between Janovic, Reynolds and Chadwick for third. Rocco moved in behind that pack, in a ride borrowed for the second race of the night. Two cars spun in turns three and four at the tail of the field, returning the race to caution on lap-8.
When the race went back under green things got interesting at the front. Morgillo led, however a freight train behind her entering turn three on lap-9 caused a case of bumper tag among the leaders. Morgillo, Janovic and Rocco all made contact, sending Morgillo out of the preferred groove to gather her car. Janovic, Rocco and Pearl led a string of cars to scoot by to Morgillo’s inside.
Once the leaders established a rhythm and received some racing room to work, Janovic and Rocco moved out to a four length lead over Pearl. Rocco went to work looking all over Janovic for the race lead. He finally made his move on lap-13 with a diving move into turn one. Janovic tried to fight back on lap-14 to no avail. The running order up front remained unchanged until a series of cautions on lap-21 that set up a wild finish.
On two restart attempts, Pearl made maneuvers to challenge Rocco and Janovic for the lead. Each time however, the caution would fly before the lap was scored complete. On the second attempt a three-wide battle for the race lead exiting turn two ended with Janovic, Reynolds, Perry and others coming together out of turn four to keep the race halted under caution. Under that delay Rocco had a right rear tire go down, sending him to the pits for repair.
After the dust settled, Pearl was the leader over Chadwick and Kyle James. The field ran six laps of hard racing with Chadwick challenging Pearl, who was able to hang on. James raced inside Chadwick to challenge, eventually moving by Chadwick on lap-29 who began to fade in the outside lane. A final caution flag waved for Mucciaccario, who was spun exiting turn four on lap-33.
Pearl mastered a final restart attempt, going on to the win. Abele climbed up to second following the last restart ahead of Janovic, James and Chadwick at the checkered flag.
Thomas wired the field in the 30-lap Bob Valenti Auto Mall Late Model feature. He had to overcome one caution period which slowed the pace, which occurred on lap-8. Jason Palmer spun in turn one, also collecting Anthony Flannery. Thomas was unflappable, leaving a battle for position behind him.
Rich Staskowski and Jeff Smith went door-to-door for much of the event for second, with Staskowski ultimately winning out using the inside lane by lap-18. Brian Andronaco Jr. and Vin Esposito completed the top-five runners. The race remained under green the rest of the way, with the field finishing in that order. It was Thomas’ third win on the season, vaulting him into the championship point lead.
Meyer took control of the Street Stock feature at the drop of the green flag when pole sitter Norm Root Jr. faltered on the inside of the track. Meyer held the lead over defending track champion Al Stone III, who spent much of the 25-laps looking for a way around Meyer. Behind the top two, a great tussle for the third spot was being waged by Josh Galvin, Ed Puleo, Ernie Larose and Root. Larose eventually spun from the pack in turn four, bringing out caution and ending his run.
Over the second half of the race Stone continued to stalk Meyer for the race lead. Behind, Galvin and Puleo were locked in an equally entertaining battle for third. The top four put on a fabulous display of short track auto racing for several laps. Stone actually led a handful of laps during their fight for the win.
In the end, Meyer had the inside lane and used that to power ahead of Stone in the closing laps. Galvin moved in to challenge Stone out of the final corner. With both locked in a dead heat for the second spot, both drivers got out of shape coming out of turn four to the checkered flag. Galvin got the spot sideways, slightly ahead of Stone. Puleo and Brandon Plemons completed the top-five.
Rookie driver Garrett Denton led the first portion of the 25-lap Mini Stock feature looking stout at the front. A five-length lead that Denton built up over the competition was eventually diminished by Williams, who had raced through the top five racers to emerge in second position by lap-8. Williams moved in on Denton, making the move to take over the lead just before halfway on lap-12.
The race stayed under green flag conditions with Glenn Colvin racing to Williams’ bumper. He looked poised to contend for the lead before getting crossed up trying to rattle Williams. Colvin dropped back several lengths and it looked like Williams may win in a run away. Caution finally waved on lap-17, and Williams prevailed on the restart. He then endured a final caution flag on lap-23 to take his second win on the season over Colvin. Jeff Mehlenbacher finished third ahead of Charles Canfield and Ian Brew.
The 25-lap SK Light Modified feature belonged to Cipriano. He marched his way through the top five in the opening five circuits. He pulled out to a healthy advantage out front while the field behind sorted itself out over the first 10 laps. Chris Correll held the lead before Cipriano took over, then had to contend with past Speedbowl X-Modified champion Bubby Brouwer and Steve Greer. Each made their way by to advance into the second and third positions.
Greg Moran got out of shape in turn four from fifth position on lap-8, continuing on without delay. Just ahead, the battle for second between Brouwer and Greer heated up. Out of turn four on lap-10, the two got together with both making hard contact at the entrance to the front chute. The red flag came out after the hard impact but the drivers both emerged ok from their cars.
Correll was back to second position for the restart, but that was short lived as both David Webb and Bo Gunning, subbing for an ill Ted Cain, reached the top three. The running order remained unchanged until caution on lap-21 when Corey Larson and Victoria Bergenty came together entering turn one as they battled for the fifth spot.
Gunning challenged Cipriano on the final restart but Cipriano was able to get away, reaching Victory Lane for the first time since his Legends Cars days at the track. Gunning was second, Paul French rallied late in the race to score third position. Correll and Larson completed the top-five.
Avery trailed race leader Ronnie Oldham Jr. for most of the 25-lap New England Truck Series race. He made late race heroics, racing up to, and eventually around the outside of Oldham to take the win, his first at the track since 2003. One caution slowed the race.
Waterford Speedbowl 6/18 NASCAR Whelen All-American Series official results:
NASCAR Whelen All-American Series SK Modifieds® #1 held-over from 5/28/11 (35-laps): 1. Glenn Pressel III, Gales Ferry; 2. Rob Janovic Jr., Waterford; 3. Diego Monahan, Quaker Hill; 4. Ted Christopher, Plainville; 5. Frank Mucciacciaro Jr., Milford; 6. Nichole Morgillo, Yalesville; 7. Matt Gallo, Kensington; 8. Jeff Pearl, Salem; 9. Joe Gada, Salem; 10. Pete Pavone, Southbury; 11. Joe Perry, Ashaway, RI; 12. Michael Gada, Baltic; 13. Jeffrey Gallup, Agawam, MA: 14. Wendell Dailey, Gales Ferry; 15. Tom Abele Jr., Norwich; 16. Tyler Chadwick, Ledyard; 17. Keith Rocco, Wallingford; 18. Kyle James, Ashaway, RI; 19. Tucker Reynolds Jr., Westbrook; 20. Brent Sweet, Monroe; 21. Randy Churchill Jr., Oakdale; 22. Adam Gada, Bozrah; 23. Phil Evans, Uncasville; 24. Rich Duranti, Quaker Hill; 25. Mike Sweeney Jr., Meriden
NASCAR Whelen All-American Series SK Modifieds® #2 (35-laps): 1. Jeff Pearl , Salem; 2. Tom Abele Jr., Norwich; 3. Robert Janovic Jr., Waterford; 4. Kyle James, Ashaway, RI; 5. Tyler Chadwick, Ledyard; 6. Keith Rocco, Wallingford; 7. Joseph Perry, Ashaway, RI; 8. Tucker Reynolds Jr., Westbrook; 9. Jeffrey Gallup, Agawam, MA; 10. Nichole Morgillo, Yalesville; 11. Wendell Dailey, Gales Ferry; 12. Frank Mucciacciaro Jr., Milford; 13. Adam Gada, Bozrah; 14. Glenn Pressel, Gales Ferry; 15. Michael Gada, Baltic; 16. Brent Sweet, Monroe; 17. Christopher Correll, New London; 18. Matthew Gallo, Kensington; 19. Peter Pavone, Southbury; 20. Mike Sweeney Jr., Meriden; 21. Paul French, Andover; 22. Joe Gada, Salem; 23. Ted Christopher, Plainville; 24. Richard Duranti, Quaker Hill; DNS – Randy Churchill Jr., Oakdale
Standings after nine events: 1. Pearl, 382; 2. (tie) Chadwick, Janovic, 356; 4. Rocco, 352; 5. Abele, 348; 6. James, 332; 7. Pressel, 317; 8. Perry, 308; 9. Morgillo, 300; 10. Reynolds, 286
NASCAR Whelen All-American Bob Valenti Auto Mall Late Models (30-laps): 1. Bruce Thomas Jr., Groton; 2. Rich Staskowski, Hope Valley, RI; 3. Jeff Smith, Old Lyme; 4. Brian Andronaco Jr., Wilton; 5. Vincent Esposito, Seymour; 6. Joseph Curioso, Pawcatuck; 7. Dennis Botticello, Suffield; 8. Jason Palmer, Berlin; 9. Mike Sweeney Jr., Meriden; 10. Mark Cooper, Northford; 11. Richard Duranti, Quaker Hill; 12. Anthony Flannery, East Hampton
Standings after eight events: 1. Thomas, 375; 2. Smith, 369; 3. Staskowski, 365; 4. Andronaco, 351; 5. Esposito, 331; 6. Curioso, 330; 7. Flannery, 307; 8. Palmer, 276; 9. Sweeney, 246; 10. Cooper, 234
NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Street Stocks (25-laps): 1. Chris Meyer, North Franklin; 2. Josh Galvin, Franklin; 3. Al Stone III, New Haven; 4. Ed Puleo, Branford; 5. Brandon Plemons, Uncasville; 6. Michael Caprio, New Haven; 7. Steve Barrett, Preston; 8. Norm Root, Old Saybrook; 9. Nate Appell, Westbrook; 10. Walt Hovey Jr., Chaplin; 11. Jack Aquilina, Oakdale; 12. Chris Kvaka, Stratford; 13. Charles Beal, Ledyard; 14. George Miller, Colchester; 15. Ernie Larose, Moosup; DNS – Thomas Stirk, West Haven; DQ – Ray Downing Jr., Clinton
Standings after eight events: 1. Puleo, 387; 2. Stone, 371; 3. Galvin, 346; 4. Meyer, 339; 5. Barrett, 316; 6. Plemons, 308; 7. Root, 293; 8. Beal, 240; 9. Appell, 218; 10. Kvaka, 180
NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Mini Stocks (25-laps): 1. Chris Williams, Niantic; 2. Glenn Colvin, Clinton; 3. Jeff Mehlenbacher, Groton; 4. Charles Canfield, New Haven; 5. Ian Brew, Wood River Junction, RI; 6. Sean Caron, East Hampton; 7. Jeffrey Cembruch, Wallingford; 8. Phil Evans, Uncasville; 9. Ben Bargnesi, Norwich; 10. Ken Cassidy Jr., Lisbon; 11. Joseph Fogarasi, Columbia; 12. Christina Kellerman, Stratford; 13. Dale Sherman, Charlestown, RI; 14. Doug Curry, Groton; 15. Jeffrey Lee, Uncasville; 16. Nick Pappacoda, North Branford; 17. Garrett Denton, Hope Valley, RI; 18. Ray Christian, Groton; 19. Daniel McGouran, Westerly, RI
Standings after nine events: 1. Colvin, 405; 2. Cassidy, 365; 3. Brew, 364; 4. Evans, 353; 5. Williams, 350; 6. Cembruch, 345; 7. Christian, 336; 8. Bill Leonard, 335; 9. Canfield, 316; 10. Kellerman, 288
NASCAR Whelen All-American Series SK Light Modifieds (25-laps): 1. Joe Cipriano, Waterbury; 2. Bo Gunning, Bethleham; 3. Paul French, Andover; 4. Chris Correll, New London; 5. Corey Larson, Bolton; 6. Victoria Bergenty, Plainville; 7. David Webb, New Milford; 8. Richard Schlegel, Griswold; 9. Greg Moran Sr., Preston; 10. Alan Benincaso, Westport; 11. Richard Brouwer, Waterford; 12. Steve Greer, Harwinton; 13. Chris Ignazio, Colchester; 14. Jeff Parker, Waterford; DQ – Brian Dimartino, Cromwell
Standings after two events: 1. French, 101; 2. Larson, 86; 3. Bergenty, 82; 4. Correll, 80; 5. Brouwer, 78; 6. Greer, 74; 7. (tie) Benincaso, Moran, 72; 9. Parker, 56; 10. Cipriano, 55
New England Truck Series (25-laps): 1. Jonathon Avery, Quaker Hill; 2. Ronnie Oldham Jr., Westbrook; 3. Keith Chapman, Mystic; 4. Andy Lindeman, Poestenkill, NY; 5. Corey Coates, Ledyard; 6. Gee Perry, Granby; 7. Jason LaFayette, Somers; 8. Dwayne Noll, Monroe; 9. Nate Bubello, Holliston, MA; 10. Howard Payne, Shelton; 11. Bert Ouelette, Dayville; 12. Derek Chriss, Averill Park, NY
Sources: Waterford Speedbowl PR