Rocco claims record 11th win of year in SK Mods; Stone, Canfield, Correll capture NWAAS wins; Stoehr and Nocella in NEMA Victory Lane
Waterford, CT — NASCAR Whelen All-American Series racing returned to Waterford Speedbowl Saturday evening, as it hosted four divisions of NASCAR action plus the NEMA Midgets and NEMA Lites. Keith Rocco of Wallingford padded his point lead and picked up his 11th feature win of the year in the SK Modifieds®. Also scoring victories on the night were Al Stone of New Haven, who won his sixth Street Stock feature of the season, Charles Canfield also of New Haven notched his first career victory in the Mini Stocks and Chris Correll of New London captured his first career SK Light Modified checkered flag. In the touring NEMA races, Russ Stoehr of Lakeville, MA won for the second time at the Speedbowl in 2011 while Anthony Nocella of Woburn, MA scored victory in the companion NEMA Lite feature race.
The 35-lap SK Modified® feature saw two-time winner on the year Glenn Pressel III on the pole. He led the opening two laps with Shawn Solomito moving to second. Caution waved before lap-3 was complete as newcomer William Schneider had a left front tire down on his car, halting him in turn four.
When the race went back to green flag only one more lap could be completed before a four-car incident on the back chute collected Diego Monahan, Joe Perry, Wendell Dailey and Bob Georgiades. The single lap scored complete saw Nichole Morgillo move to second position past Solomito. Jeff Pearl was also able to get by Solomito to settle into third.
[Photo Gallery] by Nicholas Teto
After the lap-3 restart, Pressel led over Morgillo, who tucked in line behind the leader. Pearl held third ahead of Rocco who was up to fourth. Those four stayed nose to tail until lap-8 when Rocco jumped to Pearl’s outside. He spent the next two laps there before he was able to pull ahead and alongside Morgillo’s outside for second position on lap-10. Morgillo held her ground and Rocco could not make the move work, tucking into third position behind her on lap-12. Pearl was still in fourth while Rob Janovic Jr. and Tyler Chadwick battled for fifth.
On lap-14 the excitement picked up at the front of the field. Contact between Morgillo and Pressel sent those cars high through turns three and four. Rocco and Pearl both got by as the top two saved their cars from further trouble. The new top duo of Rocco and Pearl opened up a lead over Pressel who had recovered to hang on to third. Caution on lap-20 for a spin by John Bergenty brought the race back under yellow.
Rocco got the jump on Pearl to turn one on the restart. Chadwick was able to get past both Morgillo and Pressel by lap-24 to claim third position. Caution came back out when Solomito spun on lap-25 in turn one. On the next restart, Rocco again got away from Pearl by turn one while Chadwick challenged the inside of Pearl, able to take over the runner-up spot on lap-26.
Rocco had to survive four more restart attempts over the final nine laps in a race plagued by caution periods. Chadwick ran strong to place second while Pearl was quick all evening to take third ahead of Rob Janovic. Mark Bakaj stayed out of trouble all race to claim fifth.
The 25-lap Street Stock feature saw a sloppy start with four caution flags in the opening five laps keeping things at a crawl. Pole sitter Shawn Monahan as well as early leader Tommy Silva both encountered troubles that handed the lead over to Stone for a restart on lap-5. Once positioned at the front of the field, Stone was able to pull out to the lead. Once the field settled in for the final 20-lap run to the checkered flag, the racing action proved to be great.
Stone led with last week’s winner Chris Meyer holding second. Third was a hot seat as Brandon Plemons held the spot first, however Josh Galvin was pressuring him. Galvin looked outside before using the inside lane to get by Plemons Behind them, Walt Hovey and Dwayne Dorr were locked in a battle for fifth. Galvin was momentarily able to take third before Plemons battled back to take third again at halfway. Hovey got clear of Dorr with Ed Puleo also making his way by Dorr. Ahead of them it was Galvin again swapping spots with Plemons on lap-15 in the duel for third.
Out front Stone was unchallenged. His lead was five lengths over Meyer, who had breathing room over Galvin who got away from the pack in third. Hovey chased down Plemons and moved to his inside for fourth. They spent laps sparring for the spot before Hovey was cemented in the spot. Plemons tucked into fifth ahead of Puleo. The race would finish without caution and the top five held position through the checkered flag.
The green-to-checkered flag Mini Stock race was led to green by Canfield. Benefitted by his great starting position at the front of the competitive division, Canfield bolted out to the lead in the 25-lapper. Ray Christian settled in behind Canfield, challenging him on lap-7 before contact with the backstretch wall resulted in a right front tire flat on Christian’s car, sending him to the infield to retire from his good early run. That bumped championship point leader Glenn Colvin to second behind Canfield. Chris Williams held down third over last week’s winner Phil Evans.
Evans made a move by Williams into third while Ken Cassidy was up to fifth. Cassidy got by Williams who began to fall back, giving up fifth position to Nick Pappacoda while Cassidy set sail on the top three as the race moved past halfway.
Colvin stalked Canfield out front while five lengths back Evans had his hands full with Cassidy. Colvin was able to inch his way to Canfield’s outside, nudging ahead into the lead on lap-16. Once Colvin cleared Canfield through turns one and two, Canfield made a crossover move to get back inside Colvin in turns three and four, hungry for his first victory. Canfield’s move prevailed and he was back out front. Cassidy was able to find room alongside Evans to move up to third.
The race finished with Colvin chasing Canfield to the checkered flag. Cassidy claimed third but ran out of time to challenge the top two. Evans was fourth with Pappacoda nailing down fifth at the stripe.
A rough and tumble 25-lap SK Light Modified feature saw Greg Moran Sr. move out to the lead outside pole sitter Corey Larson. Correll was positioned in third when Larson pulled out of line to get under Moran down the back chute on lap-4. Correll moved up to second around Moran’s inside on lap-5, bringing Tyler Jackson, Bob Charland and John Bergenty into the top-five behind him as Moran slipped back. Caution came out on lap-12 as points leader Paul French found the tire barrier in turn four. French was able to continue after repairs. Moran joined French on pit road surrendering his position on the track.
Correll jumped to the lead outside of Larson when racing resumed. Jackson catapulted to second when Bergenty and Larson had contact in turn three to shuffle the field. The jostling caused Chris Ignazio to make contact and cut down a right front tire on his machine, which came to rest in turn two to return the race to caution.
Correll took back over on the restart with Bergenty getting by Jackson’s inside to second position as the field completed lap-14. On lap-15, Larson went spinning in turn two with French making contact. Moran got sent through the wet infield and caution was back over the field.
Jackson was sent to the rear for improper restarts on the next two attempts to return the race to the green flag, bumping Bergenty to second. The fifth and final caution period came out on lap 20 when Jackson, trying to come back through the field, pushed high out of turn four to make hard contact with the frontstretch wall. Moran piled up and over Jackson with nowhere to go. The incident drew the red flag. The race was red-checkered with five laps remaining for the lengthy cleanup. Correll was handed his first career win in the division, tightening up the point standings behind French. Bergenty, Charland, Ignazio and Alan Benincaso completed the top-five finishers.
The 25-lap NEMA Midget feature rolled onto the track with one of the strongest fields of the season as substitute drivers on the night included Joey Payne, Lou Cicconi, and Ben Seitz, all capable open-wheelers. Russ Stoehr rocketed around the outside into the race lead on lap-2. Stoehr cruised out to a large lead after taking command. Behind them, Randy Cabral was on the move rising up to third position before lap-4. The only caution flag waved on lap-5 when Payne got out of shape exiting turn four, sliding into the wet infield to become stranded.
When the green flag waved Stoehr resumed his lead. Cabral’s car suddenly dropped off the pace exiting turn two, dropping to the tail of the field before he could resume the pace. Chris deRitis and Cicconi made their way to the second and third positions and began to reel in Stoehr’s lead. Over the final laps as the leaders encountered lapped traffic, it was to Stoehr’s benefit. He held on while deRitis was left with only one final opportunity through turns three and four headed to the checkered flag. Stoehr took the win, his fourth of the year. deRitis, Cicconi, Jeff Abold and Seitz completed the top-five.
The NEMA Lite feature was delayed by just one interruption halfway through the 25-lapper. Anthony Marvuglio was out to the lead on lap-2 and set out to a comfortable advantage over the field behind. The only caution period came out on lap-13 when Christian Briggs and Kenny Johnson tangled while battling for third position. The red flag came out as Briggs’ car ended up on its side. During the delay, Marvuglio’s car encountered mechanical failure, sidelining him to the infield. Nocella inherited the lead for the restart, then prevailed the remainder of the distance to take the win. Carl Medeiros Jr. and Bethany Stoehr rounded out the podium finishers.
The Speedbowl returns to action next Saturday night in the final Saturday night showdown of the season. The Bob Valenti Auto Mall Late Model division returns to the track along with additional NASCAR Whelen All-American Series races for the SK Modifieds®, Street Stocks and Mini Stocks. In addition, the Legends Cars and Bandoleros join the card. Just two points events remain headed into Finale Weekend, a 13-division racing extravaganza to close the racing season on October 7-9.
More information is available at Speedbowl.com or contacting the race info line at 860.442.1585.
Waterford Speedbowl Saturday 9/24 NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Results:
NASCAR Whelen All-American Series SK Modifieds® (35-laps): 1. Keith Rocco, Wallingford; 2. Tyler Chadwick, Ledyard; 3. Jeff Pearl, Salem; 4. Rob Janovic Jr., Waterford; 5. Mark Bakaj, Lebanon; 6. Diego Monahan, Quaker Hill; 7. Joe Gada, Salem; 8. Shawn Solomito, Islip, NY; 9. Randy Churchill Jr., Oakdale; 10. Tom Abele Jr., Norwich; 11. Nichole Morgillo, Wallingford; 12. Joe Perry, Ashaway, RI; 13. Glenn Pressel III, Gales Ferry; 14. Kyle James, Ashaway, RI; 15. Jeff Gallup, Agawam, MA; 16. Frank Mucciacciaro Jr., Milford; 17. John Bergenty, Plainville; 18. Jim Larsen, East Hartland; 19. Robert Georgiades, East Hampton; 20. Wendell Dailey, Gales Ferry; 21. William Schneider, Northport, NY; 22. Mike Sweeney Jr., Meriden; 23. Chris Ignazio, Colchester; DQ – Harry Rheaume, Oakdale
Standings after twenty-one events: 1. Rocco, 933; 2. Pearl, 876; 3. Janovic, 863; 4. Chadwick, 821; 5. James, 781; 6. Abele, 781; 7. Pressel, 688; 8. Morgillo, 680; 9. Perry, 656; 10. Churchill, 508
NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Street Stocks (25-laps): 1. Al Stone III, New Haven; 2. Chris Meyer, North Franklin; 3. Josh Galvin, Franklin; 4. Walt Hovey, Chaplin; 5. Brandon Plemons, Uncasville; 6. Ed Puleo, Branford; 7. Josh Wood, 8. Dave Trudeau, 9. Bill McNeil, Niantic; 10. Tommy Silva, Groton; 11. Joe Arena, Bristol; 12. Dwayne Dorr, Ledyard; 13. Jack Aquilina, Oakdale; 14. Charles Beal, Ledyard; 15. Eric Bourgeois, 16. Nate Appell, Westbrook; 17. Norm Root Jr., Old Saybrook; 18. Shawn Monahan, Waterford; 19. Alan Hall Jr., New Haven; 20. Steve Barrett, Preston; 21. Mike Caprio, New Haven
Standings after twenty events: 1. Puleo, 958; 2. Stone, 924; 3. Galvin, 904; 4. Meyer, 884; 5. Plemons, 784; 6. Barrett, 726; 7. Appell, 622; 8. Caprio, 609; 9. Beal, 540; 10. Root, 385
NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Mini Stocks (25-laps): 1. Charles Canfield, New Haven; 2. Glenn Colvin, Clinton; 3. Ken Cassidy Jr., Lisbon; 4. Phil Evans, Uncasville; 5. Nick Pappacoda, Branford; 6. Chris Williams, Waterford; 7. Ian Brew, Wood River Junction, RI; 8. Sean Caron, East Hampton; 9. Jeff Cembruch, Wallingford; 10. Garrett Denton, Hope Valley, RI; 11. David Sylvia, Preston; 12. Doug Curry, Groton; 13. D.J. McGouran, Westerly, RI; 14. Dale Sherman, Charlestown, RI; 15. Christina Kellerman, Stratford; 16. Jeffrey Lee, Uncasville; 17. Ray Christian III, Groton
Standings after twenty events: 1. Colvin, 912; 2. Cassidy, 880; 3. Williams, 816; 4. Evans, 802; 5. Brew, 762; 6. Cembruch, 741; 7. Christian, 658; 8. Canfield, 649; 9. Pappacoda, 642; 10. Kellerman, 634
NASCAR Whelen All-American Series SK Light Modifieds (25-laps): 1. Chris Correll, New London; 2. John Bergenty, Plainville; 3. Bob Charland, Stafford Springs; 4. Chris Ignazio, Colchester; 5. Alan Benincaso, Westport; 6. Greg Moran Sr., Preston; 7. Tyler Jackson, Milford; 8. Corey Larson, Bolton; 9. Paul French, Andover; 10. Nicole Ouelette, East Granby; 11. Jeff Parker, Waterford; 12. Paul Tommasino, Meriden; DNS –Bubby Brouwer, Waterford
Standings after six events: 1. French, 289; 2. Correll, 273; 3. Larson, 226; 4. Moran, 224; 5. Brouwer, 200; 6. David Webb, 185; 7. Benincaso, 182; 8. Ignazio, 176; 9. Bo Gunning, 162; 10. Jackson, 152
NEMA Midgets (25-laps): 1. Russ Stoehr, Lakeville, MA; 2. Chris deRitis, Philadelphia, PA; 3. Lou Cicconi, Aston, PA; 4. Jeff Abold, Baldwinsville, NY; 5. Ben Seitz, Bourne, MA; 6. Greg Stoehr, Bridgewater, MA; 7. Todd Bertrand, Suffield; 8. Randy Cabral, Plymouth, MA; 9. Doug Cleveland, Sudbury, MA; 10. Joey Payne, Fair Lawn, NJ; 11. John Zych Jr., Liverpool, NY; 12. Paul Scally, Raynham, MA; 13. Ryan Bigelow, East Hampton, MA; DNS – James Santa Maria, Burlington; DNS – Keith Bothelo, North Attleboro, MA
NEMA Lites (25-laps): 1. Anthony Nocella, Woburn, MA; 2. Carl Medeiros Jr., Westport, MA; 3. Bethany Stoehr, Bridgewater, MA; 4. Joey Mucciacciaro, Wolcott; 5. Brandon Igo, Wilbraham, MA; 6. Ian Cumens, Downingtown, PA; 7. Andy Barrows, New Ipswich, NH; 8. Kenny Johnson, Bethany; 9. Paul Luggelle, Holbrook, MA; 10. Seth Carlson, Brimfield, MA; 11. Anthony Marvuglio, East Bridgewater, MA; 12. Christian Briggs, Mattapoisett, MA; 13. Howie Bumpus; DNS – R.J. Tufano, West Haven
Sources: Waterford Speedbowl PR