Speedbowl Twin 20 Lap Ltd. Sportsman Features
WATERFORD — One of the biggest movies in 1975 was “Once Is Not Enough,” a film starring such big names as Kirk Douglas and George Hamilton.
More than 40 years later, the Limited Sportsmen drivers at the New London-Waterford Speedbowl will be using the same philosophy when it comes to racing. One 20-lap feature simply will not be enough.
The drivers will be competing in two Twin 20-lap features Saturday night, a sharp contrast to a regular Saturday night show in which they race one 25-lap feature.
“I don’t mind it,” said Jack Aquilina, the driver of the Engines by Andy, Broadbrook Plumbing and Heating Limited Sportsman. “The key is getting through that first race so you can make it to the second.”
Chris Meyer, currently third in the point standings, agrees.
“You don’t want to have any damage to the wheels, or the suspension, that you would have to fix,” said Meyer, the driver of the 7-Eleven, Treat’s Pools and Spas Limited Sportsman. “And you don’t want to burn up your tires in that first race.”
Meyer said he plans on spending the time between the races making his car better.
“But if you bang it up, you’re not adjusting, you’re fixing,” Meyer said. “I don’t want that to happen.”
Aquilina says he’ll race the first 20-laps hard, but carefully.
“You want to be aggressive, but you also don’t want to make any moves that will jeopardize your equipment,” Aquilina said “You just have to keep a cool head, especially in the first 20 laps.”
Aquilina said even with the twin feature format, it is no time to get overly physical.
“You have to remember you’re going to be racing against the same guys the following week,” Aquilina said. “You have to show a little common respect.”
Meyer said he’s going to have the same plan for the first 20-lap race that he always does.
“I’ll just take what they give me,” Meyer said. “If the outside is open, I’ll go there. If not, I’ll go inside. And if I’m in the Top 3 late in the race, I’ll drive as hard as I can. Then I’ll worry about the second race.”
Meyer said he likes the Twin 20-lap format.
“It’s a good opportunity for the teams to show they have what it takes,” Meyer said. “Your team is going to be twice as important as it usually is because your crew has to set up the car to go two races.”
Meyer, who is looking for his first win of 2016, said there actually is three races to be concerned about.
“The heat race is also very important,” Meyer said. “We haven’t been qualifying well lately, and that’s affected our starting position. So we want to win our heat race, and then try to win both features.”
Meyer said it’s happened before. A few years ago Meyer finished second and third, but both races were won by Al Stone, a two-time winner this season who leads in the points.
“This year I want to be like Al Stone,” Meyer said.
The Limited Sportsman features will open and close Saturday’s program. In between, five other divisions will be in action, making for a breath-taking night of motorsports.
A week ago, Keith Rocco became the first SK Modified driver to become a repeat winner. He’ll be looking for his third win of the season in Saturday’s 35-lap feature. The five-time SK champ is second in the Speedbowl standings, four points behind leader Dennis Perry.
Three-time champ Bruce Thomas will be trying to make it three wins in a row when he competes in the 30-lap Sunoco Late Model feature. Thomas is one-point in front of defending champ Jason Palmer in the Speedbowl standings.
Five-time Mini Stock champ Ken Cassidy has the point lead by six points over Dave Trudeau, but has yet to win a race. He’ll try to rectify that situation Saturday when he competes in the 25-lap feature.
Dana DiMatteo will be putting his Saturday night undefeated streak on the line when he gets ready for the 25-lap The Joie of Seating Legends race.
In addition, the Mr. Rooter Race Trucks will be making their second trip to the Speedbowl. Bert Ouellette has won the first two truck races of the season.
Saturday also is the first Town Night of the season. Anyone living in a town that begins with the initials A-through-M will receive free admission to the grandstand with valid ID for proof or residency.
Qualifying will get under way at 5:30 p.m. and the features start at 7 p.m.
Sources: Olivia Bouchard/New London-Waterford Speedbowl PR