Waterford Speedbowl Blastoff Weekend Results
Waterford, CT (April 13, 2014) – Waterford Speedbowl’s Blastoff Weekend continued Sunday with the final six races of the event card being completed. Keith Rocco of Berlin dominated the day, turning in a memorable performance as he took a victory in all three events he entered. He reached the winner’s circle in the Valenti Modified Racing Series season opening race, joining his triumphs in the Speedbowl’s NASCAR Whelen All-American Series SK Modified® and Bob Valenti Auto Mall Late Model divisions to tie a 54-year old track record for number of victories in a single day. Other race wins on Sunday went to Josh Galvin of Franklin in the Street Stock race and Ian Brew of Wood River Junction in the Mini Stocks, while Avery Stoehr of Lakeville, MA continued a family tradition of winning in the Northeastern Midget Association feature.
Rocco from green to checkered flags in the 100-lap Valenti Modified Racing Series feature, the popular New England based open-wheel touring division. Rocco was pushed over the first half of the race by rival Ted Christopher. Christopher, from Plainville, moved to second place on lap-22 and pressed Rocco into a fast pace until he lost an engine in his car on lap-42. That put oil down on the speedway and triggered a big wreck behind Rocco, collecting many of the top-ten cars behind.
Former Speedbowl driver Chris Pasteryak was able to steer clear of the wreckage and keep pace with Rocco over the second half of the race, however was unable to mount a serious challenge. Rocco navigated lapped traffic over the final twenty laps and survived a final restart on lap-84 to take the win. Pasteryak finished the race with a solid second place effort while Todd Szegedy rebounded from getting caught up in the lap-42 melee to finish third. Keith’s brother Jeff Rocco finished fourth and Max Zachem was fifth. All but Szegedy began their racing careers at the Speedbowl.
A special 64-lap NASCAR Whelen All-American Series SK Modified® feature commemorating the track’s number of years in operation actually began Rocco’s big day, landing him the first of his three wins. He began the race in the fourth starting position with his brother Jeff Rocco leading the field to green. Jeff Rocco led the opening laps but the action heated up quickly among the top-three cars when Todd Ceravolo had a hard time keeping the handles on his second place car. Tim Jordan got caught up in the aftermath and went spinning from traffic just outside the top-five on lap-3, drawing the first caution flag of the race.
Jeff Gallup moved into the lead on the outside of Jeff Rocco after the race restarted, with Keith Rocco moving to second on lap-9. The next caution flag came before the field could complete another lap when Rob Janovic Jr. went for a slide in turn three, collecting Diego Monahan, whose day was ended with suspension damage.
Keith Rocco lined up outside Gallup and powered ahead to lead lap-10. Craig Lutz advanced to second position and trailed Rocco the remainder of the way but was never able to muster a bid for the win, including over another five restart attempts as caution flags mounted. A serious incident occurred on lap-29 after Joe Gada slowed on the track. The caution flag waved when Gada’s car was stalled at the exit road off the track front chute. Jeff Rocco got out of shape exiting turn four just after the yellow came out, slamming the rear of Gada’s machine. The cars sustained heavy damage, however both drivers walked away from the wreck.
Kyle James proved to be the race’s hard charger, coming from a 25th place starting position with a strong showing. He marched towards the front, taking third from Ted Christopher on lap-34. He pressed Lutz on several occasions for second but Lutz fended off the challenges. James settled for third at the finish, with Christopher and Shawn Thibeault completing the top-five.
Rocco checkered the 50-lap Valenti Auto Mall Late Model feature adding to his standout day. Bruce Thomas Jr. led the opening six laps before the first of two caution flags slowed the race on lap-6. Rocco had already moved to second and was able to overtake Thomas following the restart. He led handily through a long stretch before the next yellow flag on lap-45. Rocco mastered the final duel with Thomas to pick up his second consecutive Valenti Late Model victory on the season.
Rocco’s three wins in a day tied the feat accomplished in the 1960 season by legendary Speedbowl racer Don Collins.
Brew was the benefactor of a final corner incident that collected the two lead cars in the 30-lap Mini Stock feature. Brew was in third behind Ken Cassidy Jr. and Garrett Denton for the last lap but Cassidy spun causing Denton to slow and drop to the apron of the track to avoid serious contact. Brew kept his momentum and drove around the outside of both to take the checkered flag in a finish that had fans on their feet. Cassidy and Denton had battled for the race lead throughout much of the feature and appeared headed for a one-two finish with Brew third. Dave Trudeau and Doug Curry each drove through the final corner to finish on the podium in second and third respectively.
Galvin rebounded from a late race incident in last week’s Street Stock feature to dominate Sunday’s 30-lap race. He was never seriously threatened, able to pull ahead to several car lengths on each stretch of green flag racing. Travis Jurcik came away with second position after many competitors had a shot at the runner-up position. Monte Gibbs finished third. A week ago Galvin was leading when he tangled with Al Stone of Durham in the closing laps.
Stoehr needed to fend off a mid-race challenge by Ian Cumens before romping to victory in the 25-lap NEMA Midget race, the season opener for the series. Stoehr was in command during lengthy green flag runs in the feature and went on to the win. Cumens wound up finishing second after battling John Zych Jr., a previous Blastoff winner in NEMA, for second over much of the race. Zych was third.
Waterford Speedbowl Budweiser Blastoff Sunday 4/13 Results:
Valenti Modified Racing Series (100-laps): 1. Keith Rocco, Berlin; 2. Chris Pasteryak, Lisbon; 3. Todd Szegedy, Ridgefield; 4. Jeff Rocco, Wallingford; 5. Max Zachem, Preston; 6. Mike Holdridge, Madison; 7. Eric Goodale, Wading River, NY; 8. Anthony Nocella, Woburn, MA; 9. Todd Annarummo, Swansea, MA; 10. Mike Willis Jr., Grantham, NH; 11. Jeff Pearl, Salem; 12. Tom Abele Jr., Norwich; 13. Charlie Pasteryak, Lisbon; 14. Todd Owen, Somers; 15. Rowan Pennink, Huntingdon Valley, PA; 16. Dylan Kopec, Palmer, MA; 17. Brad Van Houten, Wading River, NY; 18. Dave Etheridge, Portland; 19. Justin Bonsignore, Islip, NY; 20. Ted Christopher, Plainville; 21. Steve Masse, Bellingham, MA; 22. Norm Wrenn, Nashua, NH; 23. Richard Savary, Canton, MA; 24. Shawn Solomito, Islip, NY
NASCAR Whelen All-American Series SK Modifieds® (64-laps): 1. Keith Rocco, Berlin; 2. Craig Lutz, Miller Place, NY; 3. Kyle James, Ashaway, RI; 4. Ted Christopher, Plainville; 5. Shawn Thibeault, Plainville; 6. Shawn Monahan, Waterford; 7. Ed Puleo, Branford; 8. Tim Jordan, Plainfield; 9. Cam McDermott, Scituate, RI; 10. Tyler Chadwick, Ledyard; 11. Justin Gaydosh, Newtown; 12. Rob Janovic Jr., Waterford; 13. Jim Larsen, East Hartland; 14. Jeff Goodale, Riverhead, NY; 15. Nichole Morgillo, Southington; 16. Todd Ceravolo, Gales Ferry; 17. Adam Gada, Bozrah; 18. Corey Coates, Ledyard; 19. Todd Annarummo, Swansea, MA; 20. Jeff Rocco, Wallingford; 21. Joe Gada, Salem; 22. Jeff Gallup, Agawam, MA; 23. Diego Monahan, Quaker Hill; 24. Frank Mucciacciaro Jr., Milford; 25. Wendell Dailey, Gales Ferry
NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Bob Valenti Auto Mall Late Models (50-laps): 1. Keith Rocco, Berlin; 2. Bruce Thomas Jr., Groton; 3. Jason Palmer, Berlin; 4. Glenn Boss, Danielson; 5. Vin Esposito, Seymour; 6. Jeff Smith, Old Lyme; 7. Anthony Ryan, Danbury; 8. Nicholas Sowa, Middletown; 9. Joe Gada, Salem; 10. Mike Sweeney, Meriden; 11. Rich Duranti, Quaker Hill; 12. Ryan Morgan, Mystic; 13. Chris Garside, Waterford
NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Street Stocks (30-laps): 1. Josh Galvin, Franklin; 2. Travis Jurcik, Chaplin; 3. Monte Gibbs, Higganum; 4. Chris Meyer, North Franklin; 5. Al Stone, Durham; 6. Greg Moran Jr., Preston; 7. Norm Root Jr., Old Saybrook; 8. Phil Evans, Uncasville; 9. Steve Barrett, Preston; 10. Lloyd Anderson Jr., Wauregan; 11. Nate Appell, Westbrook; 12. Ryan Waterman, Danielson; 13. Jake Bercham, West Greenwich, RI
NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Mini Stocks (30-laps): 1. Ian Brew, Wood River Junction, RI; 2. Dave Trudeau, Mansfield; 3. Doug Curry, Groton; 4. Jeff Moffat, Smithfield, RI; 5. Kyle James, Ashaway, RI; 6. Ray Christian, Groton; 7. Wayne Burroughs Jr., Oakdale; 8. Ken Cassidy Jr., Lisbon; 9. Joe Liskiewicz, Preston; 10. Ken Cassidy Jr., Lisbon; 11. Sean Caron, East Hampton; 12. John Bowes, Willington; 13. Pete Zaikarite, Niantic; 14. Melissa Clavette, Bozrah; 15. Nick Pappacoda, North Branford; 16. Garrett Denton, Hope Valley, RI; 17. Jeff Lee, Uncasville
NEMA Midgets (25-laps): 1. Avery Stoehr, Lakeville, MA; 2. Ian Cumens, Lydell, PA; 3. John Zych Jr., Mendon, MA; 4. Seth Carlson, Brimfield; 5. Todd Bertrand, Suffield; 6. Ryan Bigelow, East Hampton; 7. Paul Bigelow 8. Carl Medeiros, 9. Matt Swanson, 10. Jim Chambers, Atkinson, NH; 11. Paul Scalley, Raynham, MA; 12. Bethany Stoehr, Bridgewater, MA; 13. Randy Cabral, Kingston, MA; 14. Pete Pernesiglio, Ronkonkoma, NY
Saturday Budweiser Blastoff 4/12 Results:
NASCAR Whelen All-American Series SK Light Modifieds (25-laps): 1. Rick Williams, Haddam; 2. Randy Churchill, Oakdale; 3. Corey Barry, Plainfield; 4. Larry Goss, North Windham; 5. Paul French, Andover; 6. Crystal Serydynski, Johnston, RI; 7. Chris Ignazio, Colchester; 8. Victoria Bergenty, Plainville; 9. Calvin Therrien, Vernon; 10. Alan Tirrell, North Stonington; 11. Joe Fraulino Jr., East Hampton; 12. Jeff Fialkovich, Shelton
New England Truck Series (25-laps): 1. Chris Turbush, Riverhead, NY; 2. Duane Noll, Monroe; 3. Alan Coates, Ledyard; 4. Roger Turbush, Riverhead, NY; 5. Chris Correll, Uncasville; 6. Andy Lindeman, Poestenkill, NY; 7. Mike Parker, Uncasville; 8. Corey Coates, Ledyard; 9. Jason Lafayette, Somers; 10. Glen Noll, Naugatuck; 11. Bert Ouellette, Ellington; 12. DJ McGouran, Westerly, RI; 13. Tyler Chapman, Mystic; 14. Tom Smith, Waterford; 15. Cassie Coates, Ledyard; 16. Frank Dumicich Jr., East Quoque, NY; 17. Kendall Metcalf, North Stonington; 18. Joe Gada, Salem; 19. Brandin Chase, Concord, NH
NEMA Lites (25-laps): 1. P.J. Stergios, Candia, NH; 2. Ryan Krachun, hometown unavailable; 3. Carl Medeiros Jr., Westport, MA; 4. Andy Barrows, New Ipswich, NH 5. Matt Swanson, Acton, MA; 6. Megan Cugini, Marshfield, MA; 7. Logan Rayvals, hometown unavailable; 8. Christian Briggs, Mattapoisett, MA; 9. Dan Cugini, Marshfield, MA; 10. DJ Moniz, New Bedford, MA; 11. Anthony Payne, Fairlawn, NJ; 12. Jamie Falconi, Southborough, MA; 13. Juris Kupris; 14. John Bertrand; 15. Paul Bigelow, Kensington; 16. Richie Morrocco, Plainville, MA; 17. RJ Tufano, West Haven; 18. Dennis O’Brien, Deerfield, NH; 19. Brandon Igo, Enfield; 20. Scott Bigelow, East Hampton
INEX Legends Cars (20-laps): 1. Dylan Izzo, Westport; 2. Brendon Bock, Franklin Square, NY; 3. Mike Christopher Jr., Wolcott; 4. George Whitney, Westbrook; 5. Dana Dimatteo, Farmington; 6. Cory Dimatteo, Farmington; 7. Kyle Rogers, Waterbury; 8. Joey Ternullo, Middletown; 9. Colin Haley, Ashford; 10. Ryan Lutz, Miller Place, NY; 11. Jordan Churchill, Lisbon; 12. Mike Flynn, Hampden, MA; 13. John O’Sullivan, Salem; 14. Scott Limkemann, East Lyme; 15. David Lespinasse, Milford; 16. Pete DePizzol, North Franklin; 17. Tim DePizzol, North Franklin; 18. Kevin Nowak, Medford, NY; DNS – Josh Zentek, East Hartford; DNS – Michael Comforti, Uxbridge, MA
INEX Bandoleros (15-laps): 1. Derek Debbis, Oakdale; 2. Anthony Marvin, Colchester; 3. Jonathon Puleo, Branford
Super X-Cars (20 laps): 1. Jon Porter, Canterbury; 2. Dan Butler, Waterford; 3. Ray Reed, Norwich; 4. Dave Yardley, Berlin; 5. Jim Boyle, East Windsor; 6. Matt Carlson, Griswold; 7. Shawn Gaedeke, Southington; 8. Marc Shafer, Groton; 9. Ed Flanagan, Warwick, RI; 10. Bill Reiman, Southington; 11. Erin Yerrington, West Warwick, RI; 12. James Maher, Beacon Falls
X-Cars (20-laps): 1. Zach Thomas, New London; 2. Richard Nye, Stonington; 3. Jeff Dombrowski, Oakdale; 4. Onie Pierce, Norwich; 5. Matthew Westover, Gales Ferry; 6. Ray Herman, Gales Ferry; 7. Mitch Bombard, Willimantic; 8. Mike Shaw, Oakdale; 9. Chuck McDonald, Groton; 10. Kim Bickford, Griswold; 11. Jordan Hadley, Quaker Hill; 12. Christopher Lee, Uncasville; DNS – Dave Gargaro Jr., Cranston, RI; DNS – Garrett Kuhn, Waterford
Sources: Brian Darling/Waterford Speedbowl PR