Waterford Speedbowl 8/3 NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Results
Waterford, CT — Action returned to the shoreline as Waterford Speedbowl hosted another round of NASCAR Whelen All-American Series racing Saturday evening. The competition rolled into August keeping things hot on the race track during a wild night of motorsports. Scoring a popular win included Diego Monahan of Quaker Hill in the headline SK Modified division while Keith Rocco of Meriden tallied a double, taking top honors in the Bob Valenti Auto Mall Late Models as well as the visiting Pro Four Modifieds of New England. Bill Leonard of Charlestown, RI claimed a Mini Stock feature that went down to the wire and Corey Barry of Plainfield came from behind to win the SK Light Modified race. Josh Galvin of Franklin picked up his second Street Stock win of the season.
The NASCAR Whelen All-American Series SK Modified feature was a test of patience and perseverance as several incidents marred the division’s 35-lap feature. Monahan was in the safest place throughout – the lead – as he showed the way through nine caution flags which involved most of the field at some juncture, including several top runners. In total Monahan survived 13 restart attempts, including some which were called back by race officials, and held back all challengers. Championship point leaders Keith Rocco and Tyler Chadwick both found themselves among the lead pack only to meet misfortune during the wild event.
The race began with a false start from front row starters Monahan and Ed Puleo. Monahan moved to the lead on the second attempt to begin the race, bringing Jeff Gallup into second and Rob Janovic to third before Puleo was able to settle into line fourth. The first caution waved when Wendell Dailey lost an engine at the end of the back chute on lap-5, spinning in his fluid to bring out the caution flag. The red flag was needed for a lengthy track cleanup that ensued.
When the track was cleared, a good stretch of racing with lots of action among the top ten cars brought the race to the next caution on lap-12 when Rocco encountered his first issue, spinning off turn four amidst a tight battle for position just outside the top-five. Rocco pitted and returned at the rear of the field for the restart.
Monahan got away from Gallup when the race went back to green. Gallup tucked in line behind but got crossed up in turn three on lap-13. As Gallup broke sideways he collected third place Craig Lutz and Puleo to bring out the next caution flag, jostling the running order behind Monahan. Ceravolo was the next to challenge Monahan, bringing some heavy hitters to the front behind him as Chadwick and Ted Christopher joined the frey. Ceravolo got caught in the outside lane, watching Chadwick then Christopher get by him as they completed lap-16. Christopher went for a spin in turn three on lap-17, dropping him from the top three as the caution flag returned.
Chadwick had his chance at Monahan for the restart however Monahan was again up to the task. Ceravolo took second back from Chadwick on lap-19, who was left to fight off a surging Rocco back up to fourth position. As Ceravolo glued himself to Monahan’s back bumper, Chadwick and Rocco were gridlocked in a side-by-side race for third. That came to a grinding halt on lap-21 when contact in the back chute saw the two wreck into turn three. Rocco emerged with a flat left rear tire while Chadwick’s car needed more severe attention in the pit area after Tom Abele Jr. was collected in the incident and made contact with Chadwick.
Monahan beat Ceravolo and Frank Mucciacciaro over the next two restarts after more incidents outside the top-five kept the racing from to a minimum. Chadwick was eventually eliminated on lap-26 after getting caught up in another wreck, this time on the front chute. Rocco and Puleo were both involved again, sending Rocco back to the pit area one more time.
Two final hurdles were thrown at Monahan over the conclusion – on lap-28 Ceravolo and Kyle James looked to make it three-wide on the back chute as they tried to unseat him simultaneously, in addition to a final restart on lap-33 that set up a green-white-checkered finish. Monahan survived both to go on to his first win in the division since 2007.
Rocco fired his way back into contention for the win and had the last shot at Monahan on the final restart with two laps remaining. He lined up outside of Monahan but couldn’t find any traction in the top groove of the track to take the win away. Rocco finished in second after his up and down evening while Ceravolo was able to finish third. Christopher battled back to finish in fourth and Joe Gada rounded out the top-five.
Rocco cruised to his 6th win of the season in the 30-lap NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Bob Valenti Auto Mall Late Model division. He took over from Jeff Smith following a restart on lap-7. Rocco swooped to the outside, leading lap-8 and finally taking sole possession of the lead on lap-10. Rocco was pulling away from a escalating battle for second position when the final stoppage occurred on lap-13. He had a perfect restart over Smith and moved ahead to the win as Smith battled to hold on to second. Jason Palmer was finally able to work past Smith’s outside on lap-23 after several laps trying, going on to finish second. Smith ended up third after leading the first seven laps. Rocco boosted his lead in the points by virtue of his win, coupled with a last lap penalty to Dillon Moltz.
Barry’s ride to the winner’s circle was not an easy one in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series SK Light Modifieds. He had to overcome a penalty on lap-3 of the 25-lap race which put him to the tail of the field. Barry was cited for overaggressive driving after contact with leader Larry Goss which resulted in an incident behind the lead two that knocked point leader Randy Churchill out of the race. After the incident Barry stormed his way back to the front. He benefitted by a final restart on lap-14 to make his way back into contention over the second half of the race. He raced to second position on lap-17 and then spent two laps trying to get by Goss’s outside as the two resumed their earlier confrontation. Barry was able to cleanly drive around Goss into the lead on lap-20 and went on to the victory. Goss finished second and Chris Ignazio took third.
Galvin was back in Victory Lane for the first time since April in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Street Stocks. He trailed a three-way tussle for the top spot early in the going that saw Dan Darnstaedt battle Joe Arena and Chris Meyer. Galvin worked his way into the mix, taking the lead on lap-11 by getting around Arena. Galvin led Arena by a car length until a final restart with two laps remaining set up a final dash to the checkered flag. Galvin would not be denied and went on to the win. Arena finished second with former division champion Dwayne Dorr recording his best finish in several seasons in third. Dorr recently returned to competition in the division.
The 25-lap NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Mini Stock race was a display of hard and clean racing in a memorable battle for the win. Leonard was never able to decisively pull into the lead over the duration of the event. He raced outside of leader Doug Curry for most of the race, including the final 11 laps. The event’s final restart came following a lap-14 caution flag and the two were never able to get much separation in their quest for the victory. Curry led by inches at the line as they took the white flag but it was the veteran Leonard who showed poise over the final lap to pull ahead through turns three and four. He beat Curry to the finish line by .017 seconds to take down his third win of the season. Curry recorded a quality second place effort while Ian Brew finished third. A scary incident on lap-3 saw Garrett Denton and Joe Liskiewicz crash hard into the front stretch wall in which Liskiewicz’s car rolled onto its roof. The red flag was brought out and both drivers emerged from their battered cars.
Rocco took his second win of the night in the visiting Pro Four Modifieds of New England event. Their 25-lap feature saw Rocco and Doug Coby make cameo appearances and set off on their way to the front of the pack when the green flag was displayed. Coby led Rocco through the pack, however on lap-7 Coby got into Andy Major for second position in turn four to create the only caution flag of the race. Coby was placed to the rear of the field while Rocco was lifted to second. Rocco pulled away from leader Rob Richardi after his machine suffered mechanical failure when he tried to restart the race. As Richardi retired to the infield, Rocco powered ahead to the win. Phil Lausier closed in late but could not challenge Rocco and finished second. Robin Berghman placed third and Coby quickly came through the field to finish fourth, however ran out of time to catch the leaders.
Wings & Wheels highlights the schedule for next Saturday, August 10 at the Speedbowl. The popular night combines the ISMA Supermodifieds with the Valenti Modified Racing Series, NEMA Midgets plus the Speedbowl’s own SK Modifieds and SK Light Modified divisions. Over 200 laps of green flag feature racing will be on display. The fastest night of short track auto racing in the northeast features all open-wheel and winged racecars. More information on the event is available at Speedbowl.com.
Waterford Speedbowl Saturday 8/3 NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Results:
NASCAR Whelen All-American Series SK Modifieds® (35-laps): 1. Diego Monahan, Quaker Hill; 2. Keith Rocco, Meriden; 3. Todd Ceravolo, Gales Ferry; 4. Ted Christopher, Plainville; 5. Joe Gada, Salem; 6. Rob Janovic Jr., Waterford; 7. Jeffrey Gallup, Agawam, MA; 8. Craig Lutz, Miller Place, NY; 9. Ed Puleo, Branford; 10. Kyle James, Ashaway, RI; 11. Frank Mucciacciaro Jr., Milford; 12. Tyler Jackson, Milford; 13. Adam Gada, Bozrah; 14. Corey Coates, Ledyard; 15. Tyler Chadwick, Ledyard; 16. Brett Gonyaw, Manchester; 17. Tom Abele Jr., Norwich; 18. John Montesanto, North Branford; 19. Shawn Monahan, Waterford; 20. Wendell Dailey, Gales Ferry; 21. Rich Duranti, Quaker Hill
NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Bob Valenti Late Models (30-laps): 1. Keith Rocco, Meriden; 2. Jason Palmer, Berlin; 3. Jeff Smith, Old Lyme; 4. David Farrington Jr., Jay, ME; 5. Vin Esposito, Seymour; 6. Rich Staskowski, Hope Valley, RI; 7. Ray Christian III, Groton; 8. Mike Sweeney Jr., Meriden; 9. Chris Garside, Waterford; 10. Rich Duranti, Quaker Hill; 11. Bruce Thomas Jr., Groton; 12. Dillon Moltz, Waterford; 13. Nick Ladyga, Voluntown; 14. Joe Gada, Salem
NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Street Stocks (25-laps): 1. Josh Galvin, Franklin; 2. Joe Arena, Bristol; 3. Dwayne Dorr, Ledyard; 4. Phil Evans, Uncasville; 5. Chris Meyer, North Franklin; 6. Al Stone III, Durham; 7. Dan Darnstaedt, Westbrook; 8. Lloyd Anderson Jr., Wauregan; 9. Tim Morse, Southbury; 10. Corey Hutchings, Salem; 11. Steve Barrett, Preston; 12. Ed Gertsch Jr., East Haven; 13. Don Spence Jr., Oakdale; 14. Michael Malbaurn, Sterling; 15. Brandon Plemons, Uncasville; 16. Scott Sousa, Uncasville; DNS – Monte Gibbs, Higganum; DNS – Ryan Waterman, Danielson
NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Mini Stocks (25-laps): 1. Bill Leonard, Charlestown, RI; 2. Doug Curry, Groton; 3. Ian Brew, Wood River Junction, RI; 4. Ken Cassidy Jr., Lisbon; 5. Chris Ivory, Oakdale; 6. Dale Sherman, Charlestown, RI; 7. Nick Pappacoda, Branford; 8. Jeffrey Lee, Uncasville; 9. Sean Caron, East Hampton; 10. Ray Christian III, Groton; 11. Wayne Burroughs Jr., Oakdale; 12. Garrett Denton, Hope Valley, RI; 13. Joe Liskiewicz, Preston
NASCAR Whelen All-American Series SK Light Modifieds (25-laps): 1. Corey Barry, Plainfield; 2. Larry Goss, North Windham; 3. Chris Ignazio, Colchester; 4. Jeff Fialkovich, Shelton; 5. Victoria Bergenty, Plainville; 6. Paul Buzel, Trumbull; 7. Alan Benincaso, Westport; 8. Randy Churchill Jr., Oakdale
Pro Four Modifieds of New England (25-laps): 1. Keith Rocco, Meriden; 2. Phil Lausier, Hudson, NH; 3. Robin Berghman, East Providence, RI; 4. Doug Coby, Milford; 5. Dan Fresh, Holliston, MA; 6. Dan Meservey Sr., West Chatham, MA; 7. Andy Major, Brookfield; 8. Derek Robbie, Bellingham, MA; 9. Mark Charette, Wolcott; 10. Tom Royer, Swanzey, NH; 11. Bill Lucchesi Jr., Danbury; 12. Rob Richardi Jr., North Easton, MA; 13. Casey Ouelette, East Granby
Sources: Brian Darling/Waterford Speedbowl PR