Flannery Strikes Twice in Late Models
Flannery Strikes Twice in Late Models; Gallo Dominates SK Modified Feature; Stone Wins Third Straight Sportsman Race; Red-hot Canfield Grabs Seventh Mini Stock Win; Blaskey Wins Legends Feature by .003; Noll, Plemons Win Truck Features; Dylan Cabral Waltzes to Enduro Win
WATERFORD — It’s impossible to be in two places at once, but Late Model driver Anthony Flannery of East Hampton came as close as you can get.
Flannery competed in two Late Model features Saturday at the New London-Waterford Speedbowl. In between races, he also found time to attend a wedding.
He ended the day with the ultimate payday — two trophies and a steak dinner.
Flannery passed Jason Palmer for the lead in both 30-lap races for the most productive day in Flannery’s Late Model career — two races, two victories. Thanks to the twin wins, Flannery pulled to within two points of Palmer for the point lead.
In other Speedbowl action, Matt Gallo of Berlin broke in front early and never trailed en route to his second career SK Modified win. Two sizzling drivers continued their winning ways. Al Stone III grabbed his third consecutive Sportsman win and Charles Canfield captured his seventh Mini Stock win in last nine races.
The closest race of the night took place in the Legends feature when Mike Blaskey won by .003 over Peter Bennett.
Duane Noll came from behind to win his fourth Speedbowl Truck win of the season on Double Feature night. Brandon Plemons took the lead on the fifth lap of the second feature and cruised to a victory.
Dylan Cabral was just one of two drivers on the lead lap and he surged to a win in the 50-lap Compact/Mid-Size car Enduro.
The most amazing effort was by Flannery, however, who was able to mix business and social activity in flawless fashion.
Flannery said he started the afternoon at a friend’s wedding, left and won the first feature before anyone knew he was gone.
The race was marred by a first-lap accident. Both Michael Benevides and point-leader Ryan Morgan destroyed their cars in a punishing wreck against the Turn 3 wall, forcing a red flag situation.
Following the caution, Palmer moved to the lead, but Flannery started to track him down. Flannery made the pass with 12 laps remaining.
“We had an awesome car,” Flannery said. “We’re just lucky we missed all that carnage on the first lap. It’s a good thing we started as far back as we did.”
In the second race, Flannery could have started in Long Island. He tracked down Jason Palmer midway through the race with a sweeping move on the outside groove.
“I was able to go around him the long way,” Flannery said. “The car was awesome for the second time tonight. Now I can head back to the reception.”
Palmer held on to the point lead by two points, thanks to his two second-place finishes.
“But it’s not as good as two wins,” Palmer said.
Morgan drove his backup car in the second race and finished third.
Gallo, who is always a contender when he competes at the Speedbowl, took his game to the next level Saturday, winning a 40-lap SK Modified feature for the first time this season in four starts.
There’s was little suspense as Galko ripped open a huge lead in a race that was slowed down by just one caution flag.
The best battle was for second, with Rob Janovic holding off Kyle James over the final two laps to finish in the runner-up position.
Gallo has two career wins at the Speedbowl and four career SK Modified wins.
Al Stone started the 30-lap Sportsman race being patient, and he ended it by being aggressive.
After Jordan Hadley took the lead on lap 8 with a daredevil three-wide move, Stone was able to track him down six laps later with a dazzling move on the inside. As soon as Stone checked into the lead, he pulled away from the rest of the field to lead by a comfortable margin the rest of the way.
After starting the season with a wreck and a DNF, Stone has chalked up three straight wins.
“Maybe the best thing that happened was me wrecking on opening weekend,” Stone said. “We fixed the car and it’s been a rocket ever since.”
Another rocket has been driven lately by Charles Canfield. He was able to get the lead with one of his patented moves on the outside, getting past Nick Pappacoda.
Canfield’s car got away from him over the final five laps, however, and Doug Curry almost ran him down. Canfield hung on by his toenails to take the 25-lap win.
“The handling started to go away and we were in trouble,” Canfield said. “I just had to keep my line. I knew Doug would have to go around me if he wanted to win.”
Curry said he was faster than Canfield at the finish, but didn’t have enough laps left to get by him.
After trailing by as many as 30 points this season, Canfield has taken a one-point lead in the standings.
Mike Blaskey has made only two Saturday night Legends races and he has won both of them.
In order to win Saturday’s event, the Bethany driver needed all the ammunition he could generate.
He took the lead early, but point leader Peter Bennett was pressuring him the entire way. With five laps to go, the two drivers battled for the advantage. On the final lap, Bennett moved inside of Blaskey and made a serious move. The two crossed the line simultaneously.
Because of the electronic transponders in the car, Blaskey was ruled the winner by .003.
Blaskey, who was involved in two serious wrecks this season, was happy to be able to celebrate.
“It took us a month and a half to rebuild the car,” Blaskey said. “I have to thanks Rob Vitelli who sets up my car. He knows more about these legend cars than anyone.”
In the first Truck series, Noll started in the middle of the pack, but weaved his way through traffic. He took advantage of a late caution flag to wrestle the lead away from Tom Metcalf.
“I have to give a lot of credit to my sister for spotting for me and getting me through traffic,” Noll said. ““ hope everyone enjoyed this race. I sure did.”
Plemons found the enjoyment in the second race as he pulled off a runaway win.
“In the first race the truck ran hot, but in the second race, we showed everyone who was it,” Plemons said. “We showed what we can do in a good truck.”
Racing resumes Saturday at the Speedbowl. The feature attraction will be the Bubby Brower Memorial SK feature.
40-lap SK Modified: 1. Matt Gallo, Berlin; 2. Rob Janovic Jr., Waterford; 3. Kyle James, Ashaway, RI; 4. Andrew Molleur, Shelton; 5. Timmy Jordan, Plainfield; 6. John Montesanto, North Branford; 7. Todd Owen, Somers; 8. Geoff Nooney, Southwick, Mass.; 9. Matt Galko, Meriden; 10. Wendell Dailey, Gales Ferry.
30-lap Late Model feature No. 1: 1. Anthony Flannery, East Hampton; 2. Jason Palmer, Berlin; 3. Mark Jenison, Warwick, RI; 4. Walt Sutcliffe, East Haven; 5. Brian Norman, Clinton; 6. Keith Scalia, North Branford; 7. Dylan Cabral, Richmond RI; 8. Tony Macrino, Waterford; 9. Stephen Potter, Warwick RI; 10. Michael Benevides, Westerly RI.
30-lap Late Model feature No. 2: 1. Anthony Flannery IV, East Hampton; 2. Jason Palmer, Berlin; 3. Ryan Morgan, Pawtucket; 4. Mark Jenison, Warwick, RI; 5. Brian Norman, Clinton; 6. Walter Sutcliffe, East Hampton; 7. Keith Scalia, North Branford; 8. Michael Benevides, Westerly, RI; 9. Dylan Cabral, Richmond RI; 10. Stephen Potter, Warwick RI.
30-lap Sportsman: 1. Al Stone III, Durham; 2. Jordan Hadley, Quaker Hill; 3. Jason Chicolas, Sutton, Mass.; 4. Ryan Waterman, Danielson; 5. Adrien Paradis III, Plainville; 6. Norm Root Jr., Old Saybrook, 7. Bo Norman, Clinton; 8. Allen Coates, Ledyard; 9. Joseph Arena, Bristol; 10. Ritt Shawn, Westerly, RI.
25-lap Mini Stocks: 1. Charles Canfield, East Haven; 2. Doug Curry, Groton; 3. Ken Cassidy, Lisbon; 4. Nick Pappacoda, North Branford; 5. Andrew Krzeminski, Haddam; 6. JT Suprenant, Central Village; 7. Ian Brew, Wood River Junction, RI; 8. Jake Christian, Norwich; 9. Sean Caron, East Hampton; 10. Dale Sherman, Charleston, RI.
25-Lap Legends: 1. Michael Blaskey, Bethany; 2. Peter Bennett, Cromwell; 3. John O’Sullivan, Salem; 4. Connor Holderbach, Wolcott; 5. Jordan Churchill, Lisbon; 6. Kyle Rogers, Waterbury; 7. Scott Limkemann, Lebanon; 8. Tyler Barry, Griswold; 9. Anthony Bello, Newtown; 10. Nikki Vicariolo, Shelton.
25-lap Speedbowl Trucks No. 1: 1. Duane Noll, Monroe; 2. Tom Metcalf, North Stonington; 3. Lucas Leone, Southington; 4. Jeff Karns, Quaker Hill; 5. Todd Taylor, Stonington; 6. Dylan Cabral, Richmond RI; 7. Branford Plemons, Uncasville; 8. Glen Noll, Naugatuck; 9. Cassandra Coates, Uncasville; 10. Andrew Morin, Old Saybrook.
25-lap Late Model Feature No. 2: Brandon Plemons, Uncasville; 2. Duane Noll, Monroe; 3. Dylan Cabral, Richmond RI; 4. Lucas Leone, Southington; 5. Tom Metcalf, North Stonington; 6. Jeff Karns. Quaker Hill; 7. Todd Taylor, Stonington; 8. Cassandra Coates, Uncasville; 9. Andrew Morin, Old Saybrook; 10. Mike Olsen, Deep River.
For more information, contact Mike Serluca at mikes@speedbowlct.com.
Sources: Mike Serluca/New London Waterford Speedbowl PR