Owen, Molleur Top Sk Modified Twin Features

WATERFORD — Landing on the podium at the  New London-Waterford Speedbowl can be habit-forming, At least that was the case Saturday during twin SK Modified features.

The trio of Todd Owen, Cory DiMatteo and Andrew Molleur made the Top 3 in both 35-lap races — only the order was different. Todd Owen won the first 35-lap event, with Cory DiMatteo second and Andrew Moller third.

In the second feature, it was Molleur’s turn to nail down a victory. DiMatteo was second again and Owen was third.

The SK twin bill was just two of nine features contested on a busy night of racing. Paul “Buddy” Charette and RJ Marcotte were winners in the SK Lite Modified 25-lap features, Ray Christian won the Late Models, Charles Canfield posted his first Mini Stock win of the year, Ryan Waterman took the Street Stock feature, Andrew Morin grabbed his first win in the Speedbowl Trucks and Cody Rose went from third to first on a restart to win the Pro 4 Modified feature.

Owen started the program on a high note when he captured his second win of the season.

It wasn’t easy. After starting in mid-pack, he blew by Tim Jordan with 16 laps to go into the lead. Jordan stayed riveted to his back bumper. Then on the final lap, Jordan made contact with Owen exiting the first turn. The impact sent both drivers scooting up the track, opening up a lane on the inside for DiMatteo, who stomped into the lead.

Before the checkered flag came out, however, Joey Turnullo and Mike Christopher Jr., were caught in a three-wide situation, sending them both into the backstretch wall. Turnullo’s car flipped and was upside down, forcing the red flag to make an appearance. The race was red-checkered and when the scorers went to the last completed lap, Owen was the winner. Jordan was penalized for rough riding, moving DiMatteo to second and Molleur to third.

“I thought we had a good car, but we got kind of blown away at the end,” Owen said. “I didn’t need that last restart. But we still came out on top.”

The second race was a little more routine. Moller, who was fighting DiMatteo for second, surged past Jordan midway through the race to take control. He led by a comfortable margin the rest of the way.

“I have a nickname, the high roller, because I’m not afraid to run the top groove, Molleur said. “I love it out there. Jordan fought a good fight, but I was able to go around him.”

Charette made a late pass over defending champ Wayne Burroughs to win the first SK Light Modified feature.

“My car was a little free, but I sent it in hard in Turn 3,” Charette said. “Wayne had such a good car I had to do something drastic. I think we put on a good show.”

In the second Lite feature, RJ Marcotte, who was racing a Legend car at this time last year, was able to grab his first career open-wheel win.

“I’ve had a fast car all year,” Marcotte said, “but tonight we finally got it done. The high line was very good for me.”

Marcotte elected to restart on the outside on two late restarts to protect the victory.

Waterman took the lead early to run away from the field in the Street Stock race. Doug Curry and Al Stone ran second and third respectively, but neither driver had an answer for Waterman.

“I’m just here to win,” Waterman said. “That’s all I care about.”

Canfield started the Mini Stock feature on the outside pole and quickly blew by the entire field. He spent the last 20 laps on his own island.

It was the two-time champion’s first win of the season.

“My car has been getting better and better,” Canfield said, “but tonight, it was the best it’s ever been.”

Christian’s car also was pretty good as he held off Palmer during a final green-white-checker restart.

“I have a great car owner,” Christian said. “He lets me take this thing and do whatever I want.”

He was able to take the car to victory lane despite the presence of Palmer, who was a nuisance on the inside groove,

“I gave it everything I had, 110 percent,” Palmer said. “I sailed it in, but still couldn’t get by. It was a great race,”

Morin came from behind the come-from-behind win, getting by Ken Cassidy and Josh Stringer with physical passes.

“It wasn’t the way I really like to pass people,” Morin said. “But you have to do what you have to to win.”

Rise went from third to first on a late restart to pull out an amazing win in the Pro 4s.

Racing continues at the New London-Waterford Speedbowl Wednesday with competition in the X-Cars, Super X-Cars, Bandoleros, and Legends, The action starts at 7 p.m.

35-lap SK Modified Feature 1: Todd Owen, Somers; 2, Cory DiMatteo, Farmington; 3. Andrew Molleur, Shelton; 4, Joe Gada, Uncasville; 5. Tony Membrino, Berlin; 6. Flannery, East Hampton; 7, Rob Janovic, Waterford; 8. Glenn Pressel III, Bozrah; 9. Wendell Dailey, Gales Ferry; 10. Adam Gada, Bozrah.

35-lap SK Modifieds 2: 1. Andrew Molleur, Shelton; 2. Cory DiMatteo, Farmington; 3. Todd Owen, Somers; 4. Timmy Jordan, Plainfield; 5. Joe Gada, Uncasville; 6. Glenn Pressel III, Bozrah; 7. Anthony Bello, Newtown; 8. Rob Janovic Jr., Waterford; 9. Anthony Flannery, East Hampton; 10. Tony Membrino, Berlin.

25-lap SK Lite Modifieds 1: 1. Paul “Buddy” Charette, Woodstock; 2. Wayne Burroughs, Canterbury; 3. Jason Chapman, Ellington; 4. John O’Sullivan, Salem; 5. RJ Marcotte, Millville, Mass.; 6. Anthony Marvin, Colchester; 7. Ethan Durocher, Canterbury; 8, Tony Membrino, Berlin, 9. Michael McCarthy, Oxford, Mass,; 10. Paul French, Andover.

25-lap SK Lite Modifieds 2: 1. RJ Marcotte, Millis, Mass.; 2. Paul “Buddy” Charette, Woodstock; 3. John O’Sullivan, Salem; 4. Ethan Durocher, Canterbury; 5. Corey Caddick, Richmond RI; 6. Sami Anderson, Wolcott; 7. Mike Mitchell, Cumberland RI; 8. Paul French, Andover; 9. Evan Bourgeois, East Hampton; 10. Anthony Marvin, Colchester.

30-lap Late Models: 1. Ray Christian, Uncasville; 2. Jason Palmer, Berlin; 3. Jordan Hadley, Waterford; 4. Charles Bailey III, Lisbon; 5. Michael Lindquist, Sandy Hook; 6. Tyler Tomassi, West Greenwich; 7. Keith Scalia, North Branford; 8. Glenn Boss, Danielson; 9. Rich Staskowski, Hope Valley RI; 10, Charles Bailey IV, Lisbon.

25-lap Street Stocks: 1. Ryan Waterman, Danielson; 2, Doug Curry, Groton; 3. Al Stone, Durham;  4. Nickolas Hovey, Chaplin; 5. Chris Douton, Niantic; 6. Ray Downing Jr., Canterbury; 7, Jason Chicolas, Sutton, Mass,; 8, Zach Meade, Putnam; 9. Jon Porter, East Lyme; 10. Brian Norman, Clinton.

25-lap Mini Stocks: 1. Charles Canfield, East Haven; 2. Christopher Garside, Groton; 3. Tommy Silva, Gales Ferry; 4. Jared Roy, Sterling; 5. John Bavolacco, Stratford; 6. Kevin Moore, Moosup; 7. Nick Pappacoda, Branford; 8. JT Suprenant, Central Village; 9. Hailey Beal, Ledyard; 10. Jesse Oloski, Salem.

25-lap Speedbowl Trucks: 1. Andrew Morin, Old Saybrook; 2. Joshua Stringer, Dayville; 3. Ken Cassidy Jr., Lisbon; 4. Jim Boyle, East Windsor; 5. Duane Noll, Monroe; 6. Todd Taylor, Stonington; 7. Bo Norman, Clinton; 8. Mercedes Caron, East Hampton; 9. Rick Ashlaw, Manchester; 10. Andrew Pellegrini, North Grosvenordale.

25-lap Pro 4 Modifieds: 1. Cody Rose; 2. Rob Richardi; 3, Henry Sirignano; 4. Jack Dumas; 5. Bill Lucchecci; 6. Allen Riser; 7. Dana Willis.

Sources: Matt Buckler/New London-Waterford Speedbowl PR