New London-Waterford Speedbowl Release 6/12/21
WATERFORD – It was a night at the New London-Waterford Speedbowl that featured the smallest cars on the biggest stage. Jared Roy won the crown jewel event for the Mini Stocks this season, Zachary Martinez led the way in Legend Car competition, Christian Herman came out on top in a thrilling X-Car battle, and TJ Rasicot parked his familiar number 9 in the winner’s circle after the Compact Enduros.
The event started with a rare time trial session for both the Mini Stocks and Legend Cars. Both fast times were set when the last car scheduled hit the track. Jordan Churchill was able to edge out Zachary Martinez by just 0.056 seconds, and Jared Roy took down Larry Loomis by an even slimmer margin of 0.053 seconds.
The Mini Stock stars were honored with outside introductions for their 50 lap main event. At the drop of the green, it was Larry Loomis and Charles Canfield trading positions until lap 8 when Canfield was able to take over the top spot. A couple of spins including Doug Curry and John Bavolacco slowed the event in the early laps. This gave Marc Panaroni a chance to challenge Canfield from the outside line where on lap 22 he took over the lead.
In the second half of the race, Panaroni led much of it holding off a hard-charging Chris Garside. Garside was able to get his car underneath Panaroni for more classic side-by-side racing action, but was never able to complete the pass. A spin from Curry with 5 to go re-racked the field for one last dash to the finish.
Panaroni got the jump on the final restart, as Garside would find himself in the middle of a three-wide situation when he missed a shift. Tom Silva and Jared Roy split the 83 car and went on to battle for the second position as Panaroni pulled away. Roy was able to clear Silva and make a bid at the lead, getting his car underneath the 51 on the last lap. The two got together and it was a photo finish at the line with Roy ahead by 0.043 seconds. He only led one lap en route to victory, and it was the only one that mattered.
In post-race interviews, Roy said that the car came in at the end, but the last caution was essential to having a chance to park the #1ct in victory lane. Roy walked away with $625 for his efforts between winning the race, and setting fast time thanks to a boost in time trials purse by CIC Automotive.
When the Legend Cars took to the track for their 35 lap feature event, it was Brody Monahan taking the field to the green. He was able to lead only one lap before three-time winner Johnny O’Sullivan took over the top spot. His lead wouldn’t last long, however, as Zachary Martinez took the lead on lap 6 and went on to win the caution-free event. A hard-charging Brandon Martinez worked his way into 2nd place until a spin had occurred, but no caution was thrown and he was able to recover to finish 4th.
The Wednesday night X-Cars were on the Saturday stage this week, and most of the race went off without a hitch. 2020 champion Sam Mesick looked to have the field covered in his backup car numbered 1ct instead of his traditional 38. Sam would take over the lead on lap 4 and lead all the way to lap 33 when misfortune hit he limped to the finish.
While Mesick was walking away with the show, an intense battle for second place was underway between Christian Herman and Corey Caddick, who was making an appearance while the SK Light Modifieds were off the schedule. Both drivers would fight hard side by side, swapping both positions and lines as Caddick who started the battle on the inside line would end up on the outside line for a number of laps. Little did they know that the battle for second would become the battle for the win, as Herman was able to beat Caddick off of turn 4 to capture the win.
TJ Rasicot took down the win in a 50 lap Compact Enduro race win, battling for much of it with runner-up Randy Doucette to end the evening.
The Speedbowl is back in action next Saturday night with round one of the Triple Threat Series featuring the first of two stops for the Atlantic Three Quarter Midget Racing Association. New to 2021, there will be points awarded to both weekly championship and the Triple Threat series. We are off this Wednesday for Wild ‘n Wacky Wednesday.
Mini Stocks (50): 1. Jared Roy, 2. Marc Panaroni, 3. Tom Silva, 4. Chris Garside, 5. Charles Canfield, 6. Larry Loomis Jr., 7. Doug Curry, 8. Wayne Burroughs Jr., 9. Nick Pappacoda, 10. Joe Bavolacco.
Legend Cars (35): 1. Zachary Martinez, 2. Jordan Churchill, 3. Johnny O’Sullivan, 4. Brandon Martinez, 5. Scott Limkemann, 6. Brody Monahan, 7. Scott Kinsman, 8. Nikolas Frechette.
X-Cars (35): 1. Christian Herman, 2. Corey Caddick, 3. CP Burdick, 4. Tim Burgess, 5. Chuck McDonald, 6. Jaden Hamilton, 7. Sam Mesick, 8. Ray Herman Sr., 9. William Lauber.
Compact Enduros (50): 1. TJ Rasicot.
Sources: Mitch Bombard/New London-Waterford Speedbowl PR