Waterford Speedbowl names 2013 Wild ‘n Wacky Wednesday track champions
Waterford, CT — Waterford Speedbowl announced late Tuesday it confirmed its 2013 Wild ‘n Wacky Wednesday series track champions. Three first-time champions were named and another achieved a place in track history with their third title overall. In total, six champions were declared. Middletown’s Joey Ternullo became the youngest Legend Cars champion in track history while Bill Reiman of Southington and Anthony Marvin of Colchester each won their first championships in the respective Super X-Car and Bandolero divisions. Brad Voglesong, also from Middletown, took a third X-Car title to become the only driver to accomplish the feat. Chuck McDonald of Groton and Peter Pollard of Old Lyme were announced as champions of the wacky race series, a popular Wednesday night attraction. Track officials awaited final technical inspection procedures and a review of the point standings following the final event, held last Wednesday evening, prior to confirming the champions.
The 13th season for the popular series saw the Super X-Car, X-Car, and Legend Car divisions race distances increased to 25-laps, up from 20-laps. Each division also competed in an extra distance 30-lap during the season. The Bandoleros had three nights where twin 20-lap features meant double the action on the race track. Just one rainout slowed the action all year long, back on May 8. In total, fans were dazzled by hotly contested battles for 19 weeks where an astonishing 36 different drivers tasted victory. The July 31 program saw the return of fireworks to the Wild ‘n Wacky program, a big hit with everyone in attendance.
Ternullo was quietly consistent, overcoming adversity just before the halfway point of the year. His season nearly turned into disaster when his throttle stuck wide open in practice back on June 12, destroying his car. Ternullo got assistance from Joey Mucciacciaro who loaned his #45 car that night plus the following week, keeping his season hopes alive while the family repaired his familiar #10 car. One year removed from achieving the 2012 Most Improved Driver award in the division, Ternullo showed more progress, recording three victories and more consistency to help him land in the points lead late in the season. Ternullo ended the year with 11 top-five runs and 17 top-tens during the 19-race stretch. His steady season put him comfortably atop the standings headed into the final event, where he clinched the title by just coming out onto the track. At just 14 years of age, Ternullo became the youngest Legend Cars champion in the history of the Speedbowl. Seven different drivers visited the winner’s circle during the series season, including a cameo appearance and win by 2012 track champion Dave Garbo Jr on July 24. In addition to Ternullo and Garbo, Angelo Belsito, Nicholas Sowa, Giovanni Giarratana, Nick Ladyga and Stephen Kopcik all took down a checkered flag. Ternullo bested Kopcik in the final tally. First year competitor Mike Christopher Jr. improved steadily over the season and placed third in the standings while Belsito and Sowa placed fourth and fifth in the final points.
The 2013 X-Car season was ultra-competitive. The top nine drivers in the final standings all scored victories on the year, testament to how tough the racing was week-to-week. Great car counts kept the action on the track red hot and made for a tough championship road for Voglesong. Despite the hurdles, Voglesong took four wins to lead the way. A season long battle with several competitors sorted out to a two-man race headed into the final event between Voglesong and first-year driver Zach Thomas. In the end, Thomas came up just short as Voglesong proved a crafty veteran competitor over the stretch run. Voglesong has competed for 12 seasons on Wednesday nights and announced his retirement from weekly racing earlier in the season. His championship marks the third of his X-Car career, the most of any competitor in the division. Joining Voglesong in the winner’s circle this season included Zach Thomas, John Bowes, Chris Thomas, Wayne Shifflett, Mitch Bombard, Larry Loomis Jr., Mike Trask and Randy Johnston. Thomas ended up just three points short in the title run while Bowes, Bombard and Shifflett rounded out the top-five in the season standings.
The Super X-Cars once again came down to the final race as the division put five drivers in contention headed into the last event. A steady turnout of cars each week made the racing tough as nails. Closer competition and more race winners made 2013 a standout season for the full-size class. Reiman trailed 2011 division champion Frank Alessio headed into the final race, however Alessio met misfortunate on the opening lap and was unable to return. Reiman cruised to the title, his first in what turned out as a memorable season. Reiman claimed his first victory at the track, improved his consistency and ended up as the champion. In addition to Reiman, Victory Lane visits were made by Alessio, Kevin Moon, John Yagmin, Mike Maskell, Dave Yardley, brothers Ed and Ray Reed, Ed Ryan, R.J. Cunningham, Jon Porter and Matt Carlson during the season. Reiman beat out Alessio, a consistent Ken Downing, Moon and Yagmin in the final top-five in the point chase.
Marvin reclaimed the Bandolero championship for the boys after a three-year stranglehold on the division by former female champions Taylor Martin and Rachel Forte. Marvin, in just his first full season competing in the division after joining halfway through 2012 when he turned the minimum age, was a force. He nailed six wins on the season including the final race of the year which lifted him to the title. Marvin trailed Corey Comeroski headed into the last event but overcame the deficit with one of his most clutch performances of the year. While the field was the smallest of our Wednesday divisions, the action the youngest Speedbowl racers produced was just as fine. Several enjoyed the taste of victory. Besides Marvin, Comeroski, Alex McCollum, David French, Christian Eckes, Ken Morin Jr., Jacob Perry and Jonathon Puleo were all winners in a very wide-open field. Marvin was the most consistent however, landing 18 top-five finishes to lead the division in his 21 starts.
The 2013 season saw more Wacky Race action and soring top honors in the respective X-Car and Super X-Car Wacky Race standings were Chuck McDonald of Groton and Peter Pollard of Old Lyme. Popular events such as Musical Cars and Flag Pole Race were joined by Hot Dog Eating races, Toll Booth racing and the first ever Wacky Relay Race. McDonald and Pollard, both veteran Wacky Race competitors, proved the most versatile and consistent over the year to claim their respective titles.
Wednesday, September 18 the track will honor its track champions on speedway grounds at the annual awards banquet. In addition to the track champions, the top-five finishers in each division points will be recognized. Special awards in each class will be presented to the top rookie drivers, most improved, sportsmanship award recipients as well as the top pit crews. Tickets are available for purchase at the door on Wednesday at the Speedbowl, at the hospitality tent. Doors open at 5:15pm.
Sources: Waterford Speedbowl PR