Waterford Speedbowl 8/24 NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Results
Waterford, CT — Late Model Madness took over Saturday at Waterford Speedbowl, the highlight of a five division NASCAR Whelen All-American Series racing program. The Bob Valenti Auto Mall sponsored Late Model division took center stage with a special 50-lap race, dominated by Keith Rocco of Meriden. In other races, Tyler Chadwick of Ledyard was back in Victory Lane for the fourth time on the year following the SK Modified® feature, Chris Meyer of North Franklin took his second Street Stock win and Garrett Denton of Hope Valley, RI ended a skid with his fourth victory in the Mini Stocks. In INEX racing, Giovanni Giarratana of Newington repeated his win from a week ago in the Legend Cars.
Chadwick was served redemption after a win slipped away on the final lap one week ago in a photo finish with Keith Rocco. He fought his way to the front in the 35-lap NASCAR Whelen All-American Series feature this time around, climbing through the top-five to become a contender over the second half of the race.
After a false start on the initial green flag, Tom Abele Jr. jumped into the lead by the time the field reached turn one on the second attempt. He pulled ahead while the competition sorted out the running order, settling in with Rob Janovic Jr. taking second position by lap-3. Joe Gada ran third and Ted Christopher took fourth after contact between he and Ed Puleo left both cars with damage and a piece of sheet metal hooked to the rear bumper of his machine. The first yellow flag waved for Craig Lutz, who spun off turn two and was unable to re-fire. During the caution Christopher ducked to the pit area for service and did not return.
Abele raced back out front over Janovic after the restart but Todd Ceravolo was the one with the eyes on him as he got by Gada then dove under Janovic a lap later to snatch second position away by lap-12. Behind Janovic and Gada, Chadwick was asserting himself to arrive in the top-five. The next yellow flag was brought out on lap-14 when Jeffrey Gallup got turned around in turn four, collecting John Montesanto who also ended up in the infield.
Abele had a stiff challenge to his outside for the restart and Ceravolo was up to the task, claiming the lead over Abele on the top of the track as the two raced to lap-15. Chadwick picked up a position to rise to fourth, then pressured Janovic before going to the outside of the track to power into third on lap-19. Rocco followed suit to become a factor, keeping Janovic pinned down low while he raced into fourth position on lap-21. A lap later Gallup was in trouble in turn four again, coming to rest just off the racing surface after spinning to necessitate the third caution flag.
Ceravolo got a strong restart to retake the lead while Chadwick was able to sail in underneath Abele to race away with second position. Chadwick glued himself to Ceravolo’s rear bumper and went on to size up the leader for several laps. He used a well-timed and daring cross-over move into turn one to get underneath Ceravolo for the lead on lap-27. The two cars made contact racing hard for the lead before the move paid off for Chadwick, racing into the lead as the two came off turn two. Behind them Rocco got by Abele to move into third to set up for a compelling conclusion.
As Chadwick tried to pull away from Ceravolo, Rocco closed in on the leaders. Abele continued to hold fourth and Kyle James got by Janovic to move into fifth position as the laps quickly counted down. On lap-31, Nichole Morgillo got bounced into the infield, sliding to a halt on the apron in turn one to bring out the caution. After the restart, the field had trouble coming around to complete a lap as Gallup and Lutz tangled in a messy incident with Gallup’s car coming to rest atop of Lutz just shy of the start-finish line.
Chadwick got a good restart the next time on Ceravolo who continued to hold off Rocco for second. The race only progressed to lap-33 before Montesanto took a hard trip into the front chute wall, sliding to a stop just short of turn one to bring out the final caution flag and force Chadwick into a final restart against Ceravolo with just two laps remaining. He again got the jump back into the lead, leaving Ceravolo in the grips of Rocco. Rocco was able to stay inside Ceravolo and ultimately take the spot racing to the white flag. Ahead, Chadwick closed out the win, his fourth of the year. Rocco could not make a final run to contend for the win as he did a week ago and finished second. Ceravolo ended the race third, with James fourth and Abele fifth.
Rocco was masterful in the 50-lap NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Bob Valenti Auto Mall Late Model event. Bruce Thomas Jr. led the opening laps after an incident on the first lap involving infrequent runners Ray Parent and Anthony Flannery became entangled in turn three created a yellow flag. Rocco moved from fourth to second quickly after the restart, following Thomas for two laps before finding room to his inside on lap-5 headed through turns three and four. Rocco took command at the start-finish line and raced ahead to a safe margin ahead of the pack.
As Rocco showed the way, David Farrington Jr. hunted down Thomas and spent several laps looking for racing room to challenge for the position as the field was settled in to a long green flag run. Jeff Smith and Jason Palmer were locked in a war for sixth position while further back Vin Esposito and Parent were dueling for eighth as some great battles raged on the track. Smith nearly spun on lap-21, getting into Palmer in the process creating a hair-raising moment for the two along with Esposito who quickly closed on the two. Parent was there to make it a four-car battle for the sixth spot.
Farrington was able to methodically work underneath Thomas by lap- but couldn’t chip away into Rocco’s lead any further. The two cars hit a pack of lapped traffic by lap-35, which was no hurdle to Rocco and he continued his torrid pace, actually increasing his lead in the process. Farrington continued comfortably in second with Thomas holding third. Further back Rich Staskowski and Ray Christian III rounded out the top-five. The long spell of green flag racing ended on lap-46 when Smith spun in turn two, setting up the finish.
Rocco bolted ahead of Farrington on the restart. Thomas was safely back in third but fourth on back got interesting as Christian was challenging Staskowski. Parent asserted himself trying to rally to a top-five, however got into Staskowski in turn three on lap-48. Both cars went spinning and collected Smith, Rich Duranti and Chris Garside to bring out the last caution, setting up a green-white-checkered finish. Rocco again was strong and powered ahead, closing out his seventh win in the division on the year. Farrington ran a great race to finish second and Thomas placed third. Christian was fourth and Esposito fifth. Rocco also leads the championship points for the division.
Meyer was back in the winner’s circle for the first time since May in the 25-lap NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Street Stock race. He battled hard with Ryan Waterman, who had led from the drop of the green flag after starting the race in first. Meyer quickly became a factor, riding behind Waterman over the first half but unable to maneuver his way alongside the leader. Late caution flags provided Meyer opportunity to claim the lead, doing so on the outside of the track. He was able to work over Waterman to lead lap-22, ahead of the final caution flag of the race. Meyer held the lead over Waterman on the restart, clearing him for good on lap-23. Al Stone of Durham got by Waterman to take second while Norm Root Jr. took third. Waterman’s good run went awry on the final lap as he spun out of turn two.
The 25-lap NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Mini Stock feature ran straight through the green to checkered flags without delay and Denton was able to rebound after a string of misfortune and bad wrecks plagued him of late. He took the lead from pole-sitter Nick Pappacoda early and ran away from the field. The best battle on the speedway over most of the race was for second, as multiple cars raced closely for the spot. Denton sprinted to his fourth win of the year, however it was his first since May 4 after winning three of the first five events. Point leader Ken Cassidy Jr. took second and Ray Christian III was in the mix all race and finished third. Denton was piloting a car purchased from Cassidy after the grinding wrecks sidelined his primary car.
Giarratana powered to his second win in consecutive weeks in the 25-lap INEX Legend Cars feature, another caution-free race. The opening laps saw him trail a battle for the lead among several cars in a competitive exchange among the front pack. Cory Dimatteo, along with his brother Dana, Angelo Belsito and Giarratana all raced in the first ten laps. Belsito emerged with the lead on lap-6, pulling ahead while Giarratana continued to work over the competition. He got to second place on lap-7 and set after Belsito, catching him a lap later. Giarratana got to Belsito’s inside on lap-9 and took command. Once in the lead he slowly stretched his advantage over the field to the checkered flag. Point leader Dylan Izzo moved to second on lap-15 however without a caution flag to regroup, was forced to settle for second. Belsito finished third.
Next weekend the Speedbowl goes from the biggest NASCAR Whelen All-American Series race of the season to motorized mayhem within 24 hours. On Saturday, August 31 the 17th annual Budweiser Modified Nationals puts the SK Modified® division into the spotlight during the seven division ‘Thunder on the Sound’ program. They race for 150-laps and a $5,000 payday to the winner, the richest prize in SK Modified® racing, joined by a full NASCAR Whelen All-American Series and INEX racing card. On Sunday, September 1 the Back to School Bash turns the Speedbowl into a pit of destruction as school buses get bashed along with a demolition derby, motorcycle stunts by Luke Duke and more capped off by an aerial fireworks display. More information and detailed event schedules for both events can be found online at Speedbowl.com.
Waterford Speedbowl Saturday 8/24 NASCAR Whelen All-American Series results and standings:
NASCAR Whelen All-American Series SK Modifieds® (35-laps): 1. Tyler Chadwick, Ledyard; 2. Keith Rocco, Meriden; 3. Todd Ceravolo, Gales Ferry; 4. Kyle James, Ashaway, RI; 5. Tom Abele Jr., Norwich; 6. Rob Janovic Jr., Waterford; 7. Joe Gada, Salem; 8. Adam Gada, Bozrah; 9. Diego Monahan, Quaker Hill; 10. Ed Puleo, Branford; 11. Shawn Monahan, Waterford; 12. Wendell Dailey, Gales Ferry; 13. John Montesanto, North Branford; 14. Craig Lutz, Miller Place, NY; 15. Nichole Morgillo, Wallingford; 16. Jeffrey Gallup, Agawam, MA; 17. Corey Coates, Ledyard; 18. Ted Christopher, Plainville; 19. Frank Mucciacciaro Jr., Milford; 20. Rich Duranti, Quaker Hill
Standings after 18 events: 1. Rocco, 841; 2. Ceravolo, 779; 3. Chadwick, 738; 4. Lutz, 666; 5. James, 656; 6. D. Monahan, 631; 7. Janovic, 607; 8. J. Gada, 587; 9. Gallup, 542; 10. Christopher, 540
NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Bob Valenti Late Models (50-laps): 1. Keith Rocco, Meriden; 2. David Farrington Jr., Jay, ME; 3. Bruce Thomas Jr., Groton; 4. Ray Christian III, Groton; 5. Vin Esposito, Seymour; 6. Rich Staskowski, Hope Valley, RI; 7. Chris Garside, Waterford; 8. Mike Sweeney Jr., Meriden; 9. Jeff Smith, Old Lyme; 10. Ray Parent, Tiverton, RI; 11. Jason Palmer, Berlin; 12. Rich Duranti, Quaker Hill; 13. Anthony Flannery, East Hampton; DNS – Tony Macrino, Waterford
Standings after 15 events: 1. Rocco, 747; 2. Palmer, 657; 3. Smith, 636; 4. Dillon Moltz, 603; 5. Sweeney, 526; 6. Garside, 518; 7. Staskowski, 502; 8. Thomas, 448; 9. Duranti, 436; 10. Esposito, 426
NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Street Stocks (25-laps): 1. Chris Meyer, North Franklin; 2. Al Stone III, Durham; 3. Norm Root Jr., Old Saybrook; 4. Corey Hutchings, Salem; 5. Dan Darnstaedt Sr., Durham; 6. Josh Galvin, Franklin; 7. Joe Arena, Bristol; 8. Ron Oldham Jr., Old Saybrook; 9. Lloyd Anderson Jr., Wauregan; 10. Ed Gertsch Jr., East Haven; 11. Steve Barrett, Preston; 12. Monte Gibbs, Higganum; 13. Don Spence Jr., Oakdale; 14. Dwayne Dorr, Ledyard; 15. Phil Evans, Uncasville; 16. Ryan Waterman, Danielson
Standings after 16 events: 1. Hutchings, 717; 2. Meyer, 702; 3. Galvin, 692; 4. Stone, 680; 5. Arena, 580; 6. Evans, 577; 7. Darnstaedt, 574; 8. Root, 555; 9. Waterman, 505; 10. Gibbs, 448
NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Mini Stocks (25-laps): 1. Garrett Denton, Hope Valley, RI; 2. Ken Cassidy Jr., Lisbon; 3. Ray Christian III, Groton; 4. Charles Canfield, New Haven; 5. Ian Brew, Wood River Junction, RI; 6. Sean Caron, East Hartford; 7. Doug Curry, Groton; 8. Joe Liskiewicz, Preston; 9. Chris Ivory, Oakdale; 10. Nate Taylor, Wauregan; 11. Joe Fogarasi, Columbia; 12. Nick Pappacoda, Branford; 13. Dale Sherman, Charlestown, RI; 14. Jeffrey Lee, Uncasville
Standings after 17 events: 1. Cassidy 793; 2. Brew, 748; 3. Denton, 746; 4. Bill Leonard, 675; 5. Ivory, 644; 6. Christian, 637; 7. Wayne Burroughs, 628; 8. Curry, 618; 9. Sherman, 510; 10. Pappacoda, 504
Saturday Showdown Series INEX Legend Cars (25-laps): 1. Giovanni Giarratana, Newington; 2. Dylan Izzo, Westport; 3. Angelo Belsito, Auburn, MA; 4. Dana Dimatteo, Farmington; 5. Michael Christopher Jr., Wolcott; 6. Cory Dimatteo, Farmington; 7. T.J. Thompson, Lisbon; 8. Kyle Rogers, Waterbury; 9. Jordan Churchill, Lisbon; 10. Paul Kusheba IV, Monroe; 11. John O’Sullivan Jr., Salem; 12. Joshua Zentek, East Haven; 13. Art Marrero, Baltic; 14. Ryan Lutz, Miller Place, NY; 15. Scott Limkemann, East Lyme; DNS – Keith Rocco, Meriden; DNS – Nick Ladyga, Voluntown
Standings after 10 events: 1. Izzo, 491; 2. Giarratana, 441; 3. D. Dimatteo, 411; 4. Belsito, 390; 5. Rogers, 354; 6. Kusheba, 353; 7. Christopher, 314; 8. C. Dimatteo, 254; 9. O’Sullivan, 250; 10. Ladyga, 225
Sources: Waterford Speedbowl PR