Speedbowl Results 8/18
Rocco dominates Valenti 100; Come from behind win in SKs for Rob Janovic Jr.; Hadley wins bounty, Mini-Stock 25-lapper
Plemons erupts for second straight win; Late Models, SK Lite Modifieds, second Mini Stocks race, Pro 4 Modifieds postponed
WATERFORD — Keith Rocco of Cromwell was so dominant in his Valenti Modified Racing Series win at New London Waterford Speedbowl Saturday, he might have won the race before it even started,
Rocco had the fastest car in the second practice session. When qualifying heat races were canceled because of potentially bad weather, the practice times were used to establish the starting lineup.
That meant Rocco started the race on the pole. He took advantage of his starting position, leading all 100 laps, to wrap up an overwhelming victory to highlight Saturday’s rain-reduced action at the Speedbowl.
Three other races were able to be completed Saturday after a four-hour rain delay. Rob Janovic thundered past Matt Gallo with 16 laps remaining en route to his second SK Modified win of the season. Jordan Haley came from behind to win the 25-lap Mini Stock race and a $200 bounty. Aaron Plemons led every laps in the Super X-Car event.
Features for the Late Models, SK Lite Modifieds, Mini Stocks and CT Pro 4 Modifieds were unable to be run because of Saturday’s lengthy rain delay and will be rescheduled.
Not even the rain could slow down Rocco, who was at his best for 100 laps in the Valenti feature.
“We definitely had an awesome car,” Rocco said. “The credit goes to my engine builder Mike Petit and my crew chief, Billy “Bear” Calicchio. They gave me a great car.”
Calicchio kept providing Rocco with his lap times during the race to make sure he preserved his tires, and the strategy paid off. Rocco ran consistent times throughout the race and no one could make a serious threat against him.
Dylan Izzo, making his first Valenti series start, finished second. He was close enough to the leader to make an occasional inside move against Rocco. He could not get past him, however.
“I knew if I took a shot and made a mistake, Ken Berry and Richard Savery would get by me, so I couldn’t be as aggressive as I wanted to,” Izzo said. “But I’ll take second. I’m just happy I had an opportunity to drive this car. It was a great night.”
Long Island N.Y.. driver Dave Schneider finished third, followed by Mike Holdridge, who was inside the Top 5 for the second half of the race, and Ken Barry, who got as high in the standings as second before falling back late in the race.
It was Rocco’s 150th career win at Waterford, his seventh Valenti Tour win and his fourth Valenti win at the Speedbowl.
In the SK Modified feature, Rob Janovoic of Waterford was presented with an opportunity with 16 laps remaining that he couldn’t pass up.
Matt Gallo of Berlin had the lead for most of the race when a caution flag forced a double-file restart, Gallo vs. Janovic.
Janovic got a huge jump, blistering his was into the lead one lap later and held on for his second win of the year.
:I knew Gallo’s car took a couple of laps to get up to speed on the restart,” Janovic said. “My only chance to win was to make my move in the first two laps. And that’s what I was able to do.”
Janovic blurred past Gallo on the outside and was quickly able to pull away. Gallo was second and Diego Monahan, in his first start of the year, was third.
An altercation with 16 to go between Todd Owen and Kyle James eventually forced both drivers to the sidelines. Owen finished ninth and James was disqualified.
That incident lifted Janovic into the point lead by 10 over Owen and 16 over James. It was Janovic’s 33rd career win, lifting him into a tie with Don Bunnell for 31st place on the all-time Speedbowl list.
Hadley started 10th in his first Mini Stock race of the year. He quickly surged through the field, however, and rumbled past Sean Caron with 11 laps remaining.
He also received a $200 “bounty” for beating Charles Canfield, who had won five of the last six races.
“With an extra $200 on the line, you knew I was going to show up,” Hadley said. “The car was great.”
Plemons started on the pole and led every lap of the Super X-Car feature.
“I just concentrated on hitting my marks,” Plemons said. “I didn’t want to make any mistakes so someone would catch me.”
Racing resumes Wednesday with the Wild ‘n’ Wacky Wednesday program featuring Super X-Cars, X-Cars, Bandoleros, and Legends.
100p-lap Valenti Modified Series: 1. Keith Rocco, Cromwell; 2. Dylan Izzo, Monroe; 3. David Schneider, Huntington, NY; 4. Mike Holdridge, Madison; 5. Kenny Barry, Griswold; 6. Richard Savery, Holbrook, Mass; 7. Danny Lashua, Canaan, NH; 8. Woody Pitkat, Sturbridge, Mass.; 9. Sammy Rameau, Westminster, Mass, 10. Jeffrey Gallip, Feeding Hills, Mass.
40-lap SK Modifieds: 1. Rob Janovic Jr.,, Waterford; 2. Matt Gallo, Berlin; 3. Diego Monahan, Quaker Hull 4l Shawn Monahan, Waterford; 5. Joe Allegro, Vernon; 6, Geoff Nooney, Southwick, Mass, 7. Andrew Molleur, Shelton; 8. Wendell Dailey, Gales Ferry; 9. Todd Owen, Somers.
25-lap Mini Stocks: 1. 1. Jordan Hadley, Waterford; 2. Charles Canfield, East Haven; 3, Sean Caron, East Hampton; 4. Doug Curry, Groton; 5. Nick Pappacoda, North Branford; 6, Andrew Krzeminski, Madison; 7. Ian Brew, Wood River Junction, RI; 8. Al Stone, Durham; 9. Tommy Silva, Gales Ferry; 10. Larry Loomis, Moosup.
15-lap Super X Cars: 1. Aaron Plemons. Uncasville; 2. Mitch Bombard, Willimantic; 3. Jeremy Washburn, N/A; 4. DennyLee Hoffman, Westbrook; 5. Ed Ryan Sr., Preston; 6. Devin Tate, Preston; 7. Jay Clement, Wethersfield.
Contact Mike Serluca at mikes@speedbowlct.com
Sources: Mike Serluca/New London-Waterford Speedbowl PR