Double Down Shootout Continues at Speedbowl
Waterford, CT — Shortened by fog and then stopped by tropical storm Hanna, the Double Down Shootout presented by Mohegan Sun continues Saturday night at Waterford Speedbowl. The SK-Modifieds are center stage with a pair of 25-lap features heading up the very busy agenda.
The $5,000 Double Down sweep bonus remains in affect as does the five $1,000 giveaways should it occur.
In addition to the second features for the Late Models (25 laps), Sportsman (15) and Mini Stocks (15), the Legends, X-Cars and Atlantic Three Quarter Midget Racing Association (ATQMRA) are also due. The SKs, Late Model, Sportsman, Mini Stock and Legends will all earn points.
Feature racing begins at 6 pm. Rain checks from Aug. 30 will be honored. Regular Saturday night prices will prevail for others.
Should an SK “sweep” occur, five adults will get away with $1,000 apiece. Fans can sign up for that right inside the gate.
Just how fast the Three-Quarter Midgets will be is one of many questions waiting to be answered. Joey Payne, a full Midget Speedbowl maestro with much three-quarter experience, believes they will be “very impressive.”
Can the win list, already at 40 (10 in the SK ranks), get any larger? Clearly that can happen especially with the shorter Sportsman and Mini Stock features.
With double points at stake, can Dennis Gada hang on in pursuit of a seventh SK title? Gada leads Keith Rocco by 28 and 2007 champ Ron Janovic Jr. by 52.
Can Wild n’ Wacky Champion Jason Palmer make-up enough ground to add the Saturday night Legends title? He trails leader Shaun Buffington by 18. Michael Gervais, the ’06 champ, is just four back.
Will the Ken Cassidy Jr.-Randy Churchill Mini Stock battle continue? Cassidy is currently ahead by 34 but no lead has been safe as the two have swapped the lead throughout the season.
Can point leader Bruce Thomas Jr. add a Double Down Late Model sweep to his resume? Like Walt Hovey Jr. (Sportsman) and Churchill (Mini Stock) he’ll be starting last in his feature.
Will Jack Aquilina stay in the top five in both the Sportsman (currently fifth) and Mini Stock (fourth standings)? It is a noble achievement considering the battle for top-five spots is eight deep in both divisions.
Can Mike Tidaback make it two ATQMRA wins in a row a dozen years apart? He was the winner back in 1995 – the last time the club was at the Speedbowl. Robin Johnston, Matt Janisch, Ryan Tidman and Chris Deritis are among the contenders.
Will the X-Cars continue to respond favorably to Saturday night opportunities? Led by champion Brad Voglesong and runner-up Patrick Williams, they seldom fail to do so. Other contenders include Steve Violette, John Bowes, Richard Hume and Michael Trask.
Sources: Dave Dykes/Waterford Speedbowl PR