Speedbowl Ready for Finale Weekend this Saturday & Sunday
13-division extravaganza closes racing season
Waterford, CT — History is on the line as Waterford Speedbowl’s hosts its Finale Weekend of racing this Saturday and Sunday, the close to NASCAR Whelen All-American Series racing at the shoreline speedway for 2013. All of the track’s NASCAR divisions will race along with its popular Wild ‘n Wacky Wednesday divisions. The Northeastern Midget Association headlines the visiting contingent along with the New England Truck Series and a special Outlaw Stock event. A total of thirteen divisions see action over the weekend, which begins with a Friday afternoon practice session.
Season championship battles have, for the most part, already been decided. However, one driver eyes history at the season finale. Meriden’s Keith Rocco, one of the track’s most successful drivers of the past decade, has already etched his name further into Speedbowl record books during 2013 and one more milestone is within reach. A 53-year old record for most wins in a single season, achieved when one of the Speedbowl’s all-time greats – Don Collins – notched 23 victories in 1960, is in jeopardy. Rocco enters the event with 22 victories for the year and plans to enter four races during Finale Weekend. Rocco already wrapped up the track’s SK Modified® and Bob Valenti Auto Mall Late Model titles, the first to ever accomplish the feat in a season.
Finale Weekend begins Friday when pit gates open for practice at 12:00pm. Practice rounds for all divisions participating except NEMA and NEMA Lites is from 1:00 to 6:00pm. Hauler drop off for racers will be 6:00pm through 7:00pm. Pit admission fee is $25.00 for all entrants on Friday and the grandstands will be closed. Two-day admission for Saturday and Sunday’s events will be available for purchase Friday.
Saturday begins with pit gates opening at 7:30am. Practice commences at 9:00am and continues through 1:00pm. Grandstands open at 12:00pm Saturday in advance of qualifying. All 13 divisions are scheduled for heat races beginning at approximately 1:30pm. Seven main events hit the track following Saturday’s qualifying races at approximately 4:15pm. The NEMA Lites, New England Truck Series, Bandoleros, Super X-Cars and X-Cars as well as NASCAR Whelen All-American Series SK Light Modifieds race their main events Saturday. The Outlaw Stocks, welcoming outside cars and drivers from other speedways, race their feature Saturday as well. The popular racer appreciation party closes the evening under the Speedbowl’s hospitality tent.
Sunday’s lineup includes 50-lap feature races only for the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series SK Modifieds®, Bob Valenti Auto Mall Late Models, Street Stocks and Mini Stocks. The INEX Legend Cars compete in a 25-lap feature and the NEMA Midgets continue their late season championship battle with a 25-lapper as well. Sunday’s activities begin with the popular Pit Party where fans can meet their favorite drivers on the track prior to racing. Grandstands open at 9:00am Sunday and the Pit Party runs from 9:30am until 11:00am. NEMA engines fire at 12:00pm and the first of six feature events follows. Further event details are available by visiting Speedbowl.com.
Sources: Brian Darling/Waterford Speedbowl PR