Saturday 5/4 NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Results
Waterford, CT — Waterford Speedbowl staged another round of NASCAR Whelen All-American Series racing Saturday night under seasonable weather. Taking home victories on the night included Keith Rocco of Meriden, winner of a rough and tumble SK Modified® race and Cam McDermott of Scituate, RI in the evening’s SK Light Modified race. Chris Meyer of North Franklin won a special 50-lap Street Stock feature, his first of the year. Garrett Denton of Hope Valley, RI continued his hot start to the season in the Mini Stock division, taking his third win in five races, while Dylan Izzo of Westport won his second INEX Legend Cars race of the season.
A touching opening ceremony kicked off the night. Steve Barrett of Preston was surprised with a brand new Street Stock racecar in a heartfelt presentation by several members of the racing community. Barrett, a member of the National Guard’s 1109th TASMG unit based in Groton, had just returned from ten months active duty overseas. During his deployment a group around the track organized a cause, “Racers for a Soldier”, taking donations to help build Barrett the car presented on Saturday. The effort was spearheaded by Jeff Winsor of Moosup. Barrett destroyed his racecar beyond repair in early 2012 prior to his deployment. He has competed at the track for the past several seasons.
The NASCAR Whelen All-American Series SK Modified® division turned in a wild performance, culminating in nine caution flags including one red flag. Their feature began with Tyler Jackson claiming the lead on lap-1. Coming out of turn four, defending champion Tyler Chadwick slid into the infield coming to rest to draw the first of the caution flags.
Jeff Gallup took over from Jackson following the restart, riding the outside groove into the race lead on lap-3. Ed Puleo and Todd Ceravolo spun in tandem in turn two before the next lap was complete to create the next caution period. On the restart attempt, Nichole Morgillo was off track in the infield coming to rest in turn one, while Jackson spun in turn four from second position. Both restarted from the rear after a trip to the pit area.
Gallup led Brett Gonyaw after the lap-3 headaches, however both Jeff and Keith Rocco were both on the move. They took over second and third positions behind Gallup by lap-8. Keith Rocco got the better of his twin brother on lap-9 with an inside move in turn one. On lap-12 Rocco made a similar move on Gallup into turn one to be scored the leader as they crossed the start-finish line. Contact from Jeff Rocco sent Gallup spinning into turn three the following lap, collecting several others. Jeff Rocco was sent to the rear of the field for the restart.
Once in the lead, Keith Rocco controlled the restart. The field was able to log some laps with Diego Monahan and Craig Lutz moving into the top three while several cars battled for position behind that including point leader Ted Christopher. That cooled down on lap-21 when caution was out when Jackson spun off turn two, collecting Corey Coates.
Rocco was again out front following the next restart. Only two more laps were recorded before Chadwick and Justin Gaydosh found eachother on the back chute, resulting in Chadwick off the track in turn three and Gaydosh spinning in turn four. Caution was back out on lap-23.
Two more attempts to restart the race on lap-23 took place when the final and most serious incident of the race occurred. Monahan and Lutz got together racing to turn one. The contact reverberated backwards and more than half the field ended up collected in a massive pileup in turn one, drawing the red flag. When the dust settled Adam Gada, Tom Abele Jr., Rob Janovic Jr., Ed Puleo, Jeff Rocco and Jackson were among the wrecked. Christopher, Morgillo and Joe Gada were able to resume after pitting for repairs.
Following the accident the field raced through the checkered flag. Lutz was able to get by Monahan into second and mount a serious challenge on Rocco. Lutz initially looked high, however was able to find room underneath Rocco into turn one on lap-30. The leaders made contact and Rocco made a stellar save at the front of the field. Lutz backed off to allow him to correct his car before diving back underneath him off turn two down the back chute. Lutz temporarily grabbed the lead however Rocco regrouped, getting to Lutz’s back bumper in turn three to counter. Rocco shot underneath Lutz to re-take the top spot.
Lutz continued to chase Rocco looking for any opportunity to make another bid for the win. He was unable to get alongside Rocco, who went on to the win. Lutz took home second position with Ceravolo coming back for third. Monahan and Chadwick completed the top-five.
The Street Stocks took center stage in a special 50-lap feature, double their normal distance. Dan Darnstaedt held the pole position but it was Phil Evans who raced into the early lead. The field settled in nicely for an opening run that brought the race to lap-14 before caution waved when Darnstaedt and Ed Puleo spun in turn three.
Following the restart Corey Hutchings moved to second behind Evans with Meyer taking third position. Joe Arena held fourth with Josh Galvin fifth as the laps clicked off. Another long green flag run was underway and Evans stretched his advantage over Hutchings, who began to fade as the run progressed. Meyer was able to get past Hutchings for second and set his sights on Evans. Meyer caught the leader by lap-32, pulling alongside before finally being able to shake Evans from his inside on lap-38. Just as Meyer had cleared Evans for the lead trouble broke out behind them as Monte Gibbs blew a tire and spun into turn one on lap-39. Evans’ fine run ended on lap-43 when he crashed on the back chute collecting Norm Root Jr. and Jack Aquilina which drew the final yellow flag of the race.
The final restart pitted Meyer against Hutchings. Hutchings was able to stay glued to Meyer’s outside over the final seven laps. Hutchings actually led most of the final laps with Meyer tucked to his inside. Hutchings was ahead by a bumper as the pair began the white flag lap. Meyer was able to surge ahead down the back chute into turn three for the final time, coming away with a hard-fought victory. Hutchings took second with Ryan Waterman turning in an impressive third place performance.
Denton trailed a torrid battle between leaders Ray Christian III and Wayne Burroughs Jr. in the 25-lap Mini Stock race. The lead two raced side-by-side swapping the position for nearly 20 laps as Denton patiently bided his time. Contact in turn three on lap-21 sent both cars out of shape. Denton threaded his way between the two to take over the lead and race on to the checkered flag.
McDermott won his first SK Light Modified race on the season at the Speedbowl, executing a pass on race leader Randy Churchill of Oakdale on lap-17 of the 25-lapper.
Izzo quickly followed up his first career win back on April 13 with a repeat victory Saturday. He overcame a spin on lap-1 to win in dramatic fashion, coming through the field to execute a final lap pass for the win.
The Speedbowl is back in action three times during the coming week. The second installments of Wild ‘n Wacky Wednesday series and Sho & Go Friday nights at the Speedbowl return, joining a NASCAR Whelen All-American Series event. More details on all three race nights can be found online at Speedbowl.com.
Waterford Speedbowl Saturday 5/4 NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Results:
NASCAR Whelen All-American Series SK Modifieds® (35-laps): 1. Keith Rocco, Wallingford; 2. Craig Lutz, Miller Place, NY; 3. Todd Ceravolo, Gales Ferry; 4. Diego Monahan, Quaker Hill; 5. Tyler Chadwick, Ledyard; 6. Jeffrey Gallup, Agawam, MA; 7. Justin Gaydosh, Newtown; 8. Brett Gonyaw, Manchester; 9. Joe Gada, Salem; 10. Frank Mucciacciaro Jr., Milford; 11. Ted Christopher, Plainville; 12. Wendell Dailey, Gales Ferry; 13. Joe Allegro Jr., Vernon; 14. Nichole Morgillo, Wallingford; 15. Corey Coates, Ledyard; 16. Tom Abele Jr., Norwich; 17. Rob Janovic Jr., Waterford; 18. Adam Gada, Bozrah; 19. Jeff Rocco, Wallingford; 20. Ed Puleo, Branford; 21. Brent Sweet, Monroe; 22. Tyler Jackson, Milford; 23. Jeff Pearl, Salem; 24. Kyle James, Ashaway, RI
NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Street Stocks (50-laps): 1. Chris Meyer, North Franklin; 2. Corey Hutchings, Salem; 3. Ryan Waterman, Danielson; 4. Josh Galvin, Franklin; 5. Ed Puleo, Branford; 6. Joe Arena, Bristol; 7. Dan Darnstaedt, Durham; 8. Al Stone III, New Haven; 9. Monte Gibbs, Killingworth; 10. Bill McNeil, Preston; 11. Steven Barrett, Preston; 12. Phil Evans, Uncasville; 13. Tim Morse, Southbury; 14. Don Spence Jr., Oakdale; 15. Norm Root Jr., Old Saybrook; 16. Jack Aquilina, Oakdale; 17. Allen Coates Sr., Ledyard; 18. Ronnie Oldham Jr., Old Saybrook
NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Mini Stocks (25-laps): 1. Garrett Denton, Hope Valley, RI; 2. Wayne Burroughs Jr., Oakdale; 3. Ray Christian III, Groton; 4. Doug Curry, Groton; 5. Ian Brew, Wood River Junction, RI; 6. Glenn Colvin, Clinton; 7. Bill Leonard, Charlestown, RI; 8. Christopher Ivory, Oakdale; 9. Nick Pappacoda, North Branford; 10. Dale Sherman, Charlestown, RI; 11. Jeffrey Lee, Uncasville; 12. Joe Liskiewicz, Preston; 13. Ken Cassidy Jr., Lisbon
NASCAR Whelen All-American Series SK Light Modifieds (25-laps): 1. Cam McDermott, Scituate, RI; 2. Randy Churchill Jr., Oakdale; 3. Glenn Griswold, Vernon; 4. Chris Ignazio, Colchester; 5. Travis Jurcik, Chaplin; 6. Paul French, Andover; 7. Jeff Fialkovich, Shelton; 8. Corey Barry, Plainfield
Saturday Showdown INEX Legend Cars (20-laps): 1. Dylan Izzo, Westport; 2. Joe Mucciacciaro, Wolcott; 3. Dana Dimatteo, Farmington; 4. Giovanni Giarratana, Newington; 5. Kyle Rogers, Waterbury; 6. Joey Ternullo, Middletown; 7. Stephen Kopcik, Newtown; 8. Michael Christopher Jr., Wolcott; 9. Kyle Hardwick, Vernon; 10. Joe Ferrigno, East Hartford; 11. Calvin Therrien, Vernon; 12. Tim DePizzol, North Franklin; 13. John O’Sullivan Jr., Salem; 14. Joshua Zentek, East Haven; 15. Jordan Churchill, Lisbon; 16. Nicholas Sowa, Middletown; 17. Paul Kusheba IV, Monroe; 18. Cory Dimatteo, Farmington; 19. T.J. Thompson, Lisbon
Sources: Brian Darling/Waterford Speedbowl PR