Rocco & Barry Claim Bud Blastoff Wins; Progam Continues Sunday
WATERFORD – Rain forced the suspension of Bud Blastoff 2016 Saturday at the New London-Waterford Speedbowl after the completion of two of 10 scheduled features.
Keith Rocco won the 30-lap Late Model feature and Tyler Barry won the 20-lap Bandolero feature before rain began falling and brought the racing card to a halt.
The event will resume Sunday at noon with the remaining eight features to be run.
Rocco of Wallingford, took the lead from Ray Christian III at the drop of the green flag and went virtually unchallenged the rest of the way in winning the 30-lap Late Model feature.
Despite numerous cautions, Rocco was able to easily check out from his pursuers after every restart of the event.
Anthony Flannery of East Hampton was second and Adam Gray of Belchertown, Mass., making his track debut, was third.
It was the first victory at the Speedbowl for Rocco driving for team owners Mike and Beth Sullivan. It was his 38th victory overall in the Late Model division at Waterford. His first 37 victories came running for former team owner Scott Fearn.
In the 20-lap Bandolero feature, it was the 10-year old Barry, of Griswold, winning in his track debut.
Barry is the grandson of legendary Modified team owner Art Barry and the son of former Modified driver Ken Barry.
Ethan Durocher of Plainfield was second and Andrew Morin of Old Saybrook was third on the track but disqualified for an illegal gear, moving Charles Prinz of Higganum to third.
Prinz led the first 14 laps of the event but on lap 15 a lapped car made contact with Prinz, dropping him to fourth and allowing Barry to take over the lead. Barry and Durocher battled side-by-side over the closing laps.
Remaining to be run Sunday is a 35-lap SK Modified feature, 25-lap Limited Sportsman feature, 25-lap Mini Stock feature, 25-lap SK Light Modified feature, 25-lap Legends feature, 25-lap Mr. Rooter New England Truck Series feature, 20-lap X-Car feature and a 20-lap Super X-Car feature.
Waterford Speedbowl Agate
30-lap Late Model: 1. Keith Rocco, Wallingford; 2. Anthony Flannery, East Hampton; 3. Adam Gray, Belchertown, Mass.; 4. Bruce Thomas Jr., Groton; 5. Jason Palmer, Berlin; 6. Jeff Smith, Old Lyme; 7. Brian Tagg, Oxford; 8. Marc Curtis, Brookfield; 9. Chris Garside, Waterford; 10. Matt Carlson, Griswold.
20-lap Bandoleros: 1. Tyler Barry, Griswold; 2. Ethan Durocher, Plainfield; 3. Charles Prinz, Higganum; 4. Nick Hovey, Chaplin; 5. Hailey Desaulniers, Windham; 6. Ethan Simmons, Pawcatuck; 7. Tyler Alkas, Berlin; 8. Brendon Tymon, Shelton; 9. Teddy Welch, Griswold; 10. Bethani-Louann Durocher, Plainfield.
Sources: Olivia Bouchard/New London-Waterford Speedbowl PR