Speedbowl Win List Reaches 27
Waterford, CT — The 2008 season is shaping up as one of the most competitive in Waterford Speedbowl’s long history. Heading into Saturday night’s five-division program, there have been 27 different winners including six in the SK-Modified ranks.
Point leader Dennis Gada, defending champion Rob Janovic, Keith Rocco, Jeff Pearl, Doug Coby and last week’s winner Todd Ceravolo – will be looking for another trip to Victory Lane in the 35-lap SK feature. A 30-lap Late Model feature and 20 lappers for the Sportsman, Mini Stocks and Legends are also on the schedule.
The rescheduled Legends feature from May 31 completes the busy agenda.
The gates open at 4 pm and racing starts at 5.
“There’s a lot of great equipment this year, the second groove has not gone away and the speeds have been phenomenal,” reports Race Director Steve Harraka. “It adds up to lots of winners.”
The NASCAR Whelen All American competitors will be looking to improve their positions heading into the July 5th Pepsi 300, the Speedbowl’s weekly divisions showcase.
Other than victory, points are the key concern. Gada, who climbed from last to second last week, now leads Keith Rocco by 16. Rocco, a two-time winner, is also concerned with national points.
Only Ron Yuhas and Ed Reed Jr. has been able to disrupt the winning ways of defending Late Model champion Bruce Thomas Jr. The determined Thomas has only a six-point edge on Yuhas, the latter turning in a sterling effort in his first full year in the division.
The Sportsman and Mini Stock point battles hardly reflect the competitiveness of the respective divisions. Although popular Al Stone III currently enjoys a 40-point edge on Ronnie Oldham atop the Sportsman standings, he is only one of eight winners ranging from cagey veteran Chuck “Uncle Buck” Rogers to division rookie Mark Cooper. Chris Douton, Walt Hovey, Ed Lamb, Brandon Plemons and Jack Aquilina have also tasted victory.
Defending champion Ken Cassidy Jr. and Randy Churchill, separated by just six points, are was out front of the standings. They have plenty of company on the win list. Last week’s winner Phil Evans brought the list to seven. In addition to Cassidy and Churchill, it includes Louie Bellisle, Soup Civardi, Ray Christian and Ben Bargnesi.
Jason Palmer takes a slim point lead in the Legends action. The second generation racer is just 10 up on defending champion Michael Gervais Jr. and 12 better than Shaun Buffington, the latter back after a few years away. Mark Bakaj joins Palmer and Gervais on the Legends win list.
Momentum is a major factor heading into the Pepsi 300. Sometimes viewed as the “Mid-season championship,” the Pepsi 300 tests all the NASCAR divisions with 100 lappers for the SKs and Late Models and 50 lappers for the Mini Stocks and Sportsman. It is the second round of the ‘Bowl’s “Triple Crown.”
Sources: Dave Dykes/Waterford Speedbowl PR