Thomas, Cassidy, And Innarelli Prevail In Rain-Shortened Program at Speedbowl
Waterford, CT — Defending champion Bruce Thomas Jr. won the rain-shortened Late Model main event at Waterford Speedbowl on Saturday evening.
Other feature winners were Ken Cassidy Jr. (Mini Stock) and Kevin Iannarelli (Pro-4 Modifieds).
Starting from the pole, Thomas drove into the lead immediately and was never seriously challenged. Behind him, the trio of Ed Reed Jr., Tim Jordan, and Ron Yuhas Jr. battled, with Reed claiming the runner-up spot. The event was red-checkered at lap-19 due to severe weather conditions entering the area. Completing the top-5 was Jordan, Yuhas, and Joe Curioso III.
With the victory, Thomas is again the Late Model point leader ahead of Yuhas by a scant 4 positions.
In the Mini Stock 20-lap feature, pole sitter Chris Williams led until passed by Phil Evans with twelve remaining. Ken Cassidy Jr. slipped by Evans on a restart at the halfway point, going on to win by several lengths. Randy Churchill, Williams, and Mark Panaroni completed the top-5. The first win of 2008 for the defending champion, the event was a qualifier for the Four Cylinder Nationals to be held at Maine’s Beech Ridge Motor Speedway on June 27.
Cassidy was seemingly relieved to reach victory lane.
“After scoring so many top-finishes this season, it feels really good,” he stated. “The competition is so stiff in my division. The wins are really hard to come by. It was getting to the point that I asking myself if I’d ever be here again.”
The final restart was a decisive factor according to Cassidy.
“I knew I was better than Phil on the restarts,” said the winner. My dad raced here for many years and had a lot of wins. He’s always told me that if you keep your fender out there in view of the guy next to you, he’ll react first. It allows you to time your move when the flag drops.”
With a qualifying spot locked-up, Cassidy stated that he’ll “probably” compete in the Four Cylinder Nationals.
Taking the 25-lap Pro-4 Modified feature was Kevin Iannarelli of Maynard, Mass. Starting mid-pack he quickly worked his way to the front, winning by a wide margin. Following was 2008 Bud Nationals winner Norm Wrenn, Bob Richard Jr., Brian Vincent, and George Sherman.
“We love racing here,” stated Iannarelli who’s also competed at the Speedbowl in the True Value Modified Series. “It’s a fast track, and the speeds just seem to increase each time we come here. There’s a lot of room to pass and move around out there. Tonight my car was excellent, and I had a lot of confidence going into the event.”
Daniel Bisignano notched the Legends Young Lions Event.
The evenings cancelled SK Modified, Sportsman, and Legends feature races will be presented at a future date.
Action continues mid-week with Wild n’ Wacky Wednesday. On Saturday June 7, the American Canadian Tour (ACT) appears at the Speedbowl along with a full program of NASCAR Whelan All American Series racing.
Please log-on to www.speedbowl.com for more information.
LATE MODEL (Rain Shortened To 19-Laps); 1. Bruce Thomas Jr., 2. Ed Reed Jr., 3. Tim Jordan, 4. Ron Yuhas Jr., 5. Joe Curioso III, 6. Tom Metcalf, 7. Tony Macrino, 8. Jeff Smith, 9. Larry Goss, 10. Mark Hudson, 11. Vin Esposito, 12. Dan Holben.
MINI STOCK (20); 1. Ken Cassidy Jr., 2. Phil Evans, 3. Randy Churchill, 4. Chris Williams, 5. Mark Panaroni, 6. Glen Colvin, 7. Bill Leonard, 8. Jeff Mehlenbacher, 9. Andrew Becker, 10. Ben Bargnesi, 11. Christina Cunliffe, 12. Ian Brew, 13. Jack Aquilina, 14. Jeff “Soup” Civardi, 15. Sean Caron.
PRO-4 MODIFIEDS (25); 1. Kevin Iannarelli, 2. Norm Wrenn, 3. Bob Richard Jr., 4. Brian Vincent, 5. George Sherman, 6. Cory Cleary, 7. Phil Laujier, 8. Tyler Andersen, 9. Dan Merservey, 10. Robin Berghman, 11. Mark Girdano, 12. Stan Mertz, 13. Dave Richardi, 14. Billy Joerres, 15. Dave Bedard, 16. Tim D’Amico.
CURRENT POINT STANDINGS (TOP-10);
SK MODIFIED; Dennis Gada (286), Keith Rocco (280), Rob Janovic Jr. (264), Tyler Chadwick (258), Ron Yuhas Jr. (254), Justin Gaydosh (248), Jeff Paul (228), Jeff Pearl (228), Jay Miller (226), Jeff Malave (176).
LATE MODEL; Bruce Thomas Jr. (380), Ron Yuhas Jr. (376), Ed Reed Jr. (352), Tim Jordan (348), Vin Esposito (312), Rich Staskowski (256), Robert LeBlanc Jr. (230), Tom Metcalf (222), Larry Goss (204), Joseph Curioso Jr. (192).
SPORTSMAN; Al Stone III (312), Ronnie Oldham Jr. (280), Walt Hovey Jr. (268), “Grampa Jim” Procaccini (258), Jack Aquilina (252), Mark Cooper (228), Chris “Moose” Douton (228), Nate Appell (226), Ed Lamb Jr. (212), Chuck Rogers (198).
MINI STOCK; Ken Cassidy Jr. (380), Randy Churchill Jr. (366), Lou Bellisle (300), Chris Williams (270), Mark Panaroni (266), Kyle James (262), Jack Aquilina (258), Ben Bargnesi (252), Ray Christian III (248), Bill Leonard (244).
LEGENDS (SAT.); Jason Palmer (146), Michael Gervais Jr. (136), Shaun Buffington (134), Mark Esposito (118), Art Moran Jr. (116), Adam Gada (102), Carl Blandina (100), Ed Field (98), Ryan Morgan (82), Max Zachem (78).
Sources: Dave Dykes/Waterford Speedbowl PR