Waterford, CT — Jeff Malave is coming to the Waterford Speedbowl for the SK-150 April 12-13 without a lot of experience on the historic three-eighths oval. He is not overly concerned.
“I’ve got good equipment; I’ve got a good crew,” he boasts. “In situations like this you have to use your head and stay out of trouble.” The “150” will be the first of what he expects will be several Speedbowl appearances this year.
It is the same for the Bowl’s other NASCAR Whelen All-American Series divisions, the Late Models (50 laps), Sportsman (30) and Mini Stocks (30) on opening docket along with the Legends. Other divisions due for the two-day affair are the NEMA Midgets, Pro4 Modifieds, AllStar Race Trucks, Allison Legacy Cars and NEMA Lites.
Waterford, CT — Frank Ruocco lists the 2006 SK-150 victory at Waterford Speedbowl as “one of the top things on my resume.” He’ll be back at the ‘Bowl on April 12-13h for the 12th rendition of the short-track classic, the centerpiece of the Budweiser Modified Nationals.
The one-time high school hockey standout is hoping to become only the second driver to claim two “150” victories.
“Patience is key to winning,” says Ruocco who won in his second “150” start by beating back a late challenge from close friend Kenny Horton. He was fourth last year. “I really like the long-distance races. If we don’t wreck, we usually find our way to the front.”
Waterford, CT — Kenny Horton actually postponed a scheduled vacation (by a single day) to make the SK-150, the centerpiece of Waterford Speedbowl’s season-opening April 12-13 Budweiser Modified Nationals. He…
Read moreWaterford, CT — Be it selling hotdogs or driving racecars, Rich Duranti has been spending his summers at Waterford Speedbowl for 33 years. The hometown boy, a Late Model competitor, will be on hand when the Speedbowl opens the season April 12-13 with the 12th annual Budweiser Modified Nationals.
Highlighted by the $20,000 SK-150, the weekend also includes the Speedbowl’s Sportsman, Mini Stocks and Legends divisions. The NEMA Midgets, NEMA Lites, Legends, AllStar Race Trucks, Pro4 Modifieds, and Allison Legacy Cars are part of a busy agenda as well.
“Sometimes it’s hard to believe how long I been there” states the Quaker Hill. resident. “It all started when I was just a kid, about eight-years old. I picked up trash for the original track owners after watching the races. It then progressed to running the hot dog booth.”
Waterford, CT — When the New Waterford Speedbowl kicks off its season with the April 12-13 Budweiser Modified Nationals featuring the SK-150, it will mark the 58th consecutive season of auto racing at the three-eights mile oval. Bob Swift won the first ever season opener back on April 15, 1951.
During the 1950’s, the Speedbowl traditionally opened on Easter Sunday – annually gathering over 5,000 people. In the early 1970’s, the extra-distance season-opener flourished starting with the popular Blast Off! event that premiered in 1972. The legendary Ed Flemke was the inaugural winner. Under several different formats, Blast Off opened the season for the next 25 years, making the transition from an open-competition Modified feature to an SK-Modified point event in 1985.
The Modified Nationals event debuted in 1997 with a 200 lapper for SK-Modifieds, Steve Chowansky the winner win. In 2000, Mark LaJeunesse was declared the winner after the race was called due to rain with 101 laps completed.
Waterford, CT — It was a cold, rainy Friday evening in March, and instead of working on his racecar within the cozy confines of the shop, veteran Waterford Speedbowl Sportsman division driver Jim Procaccini was wandering around an airport. He was also wondering just how he managed to miss his flight to the West Coast. He was on his way meet new granddaughter Kailyn for the first time.
Procaccini will be on hand when the ‘Bowl opens the 2008 season with the 12th annual Budweiser Modified Nationals on April 12-13. Highlighted by the lucrative SK-150, the weekend also includes, in addition to the Sportsman, the ‘Bowl’s NASCAR Whelen All American Series Late Models, and Mini Stocks. The NEMA Midgets, Legends, AllStar Race Trucks, Pro4 Modifieds, and Allison Legacy Cars are part of a busy agenda as well.
Waterford, CT — Does last year’s horrific crash haunt Waterford Speedbowl SK-Modified competitor Wendell Dailey?
“It’s the screen saver on my computer, you know the picture where Jeffrey Paul appears to be going underneath me,” he answers. “I see it every day.”
Dailey will be in the same car in the $20,000 SK-150, the headline event of the Speedbowl’s season-opening 12th annual Budweiser Modified Nationals April 12-13. The 10-division “Nats” also features, in addition to the ‘Bowl’s Late Model, Sportsman, Mini Stock and Legends divisions, the Northeastern Midget Association, the NEMA Lites, the Allison Legacy Cars, Pro4 Modifieds and AllStar Race Trucks.
Woody Pitkat is hoping his Whelen Modified Tour experience last year proves to be a good omen. The April 12-13 SK-150 will be Pitkat’s first Modified ride at Waterford Speedbowl.
“We went to a lot of tracks I’d never seen before,” says Pitkat who finished second in the 2007 Whelen All-American Series national standings. “We did OK. And, I have been at the Speedbowl in a Late Model (he finished second in the heralded Funkmaster Flex event a few years back) and liked it.”
Waterford, CT — Ken Cassidy Jr. plans a determined defense of the 2007 Waterford Speedbowl Mini Stock title. “I don’t expect to make any big changes,” he says. “We’re a little down in the sponsorship department, but things are on track.”
The second-generation driver begins his quest at the season-opening 12th annual Budweiser Modified Nationals. The 30-lap Mini Stock feature is part of a 10-division agenda highlighted by lucrative SK-150. The Northeastern Midget Association, the NEMA Lites, Pro4 Modifieds, AllStar Race Trucks and Allison Legacy Cars join the Speedbowl’s Late Model, Sportsman and Legend divisions.
Waterford, CT — Allen Coates will be back in the #90 Late Model at Waterford Speedbowl this season. The three–time champion was one of several competitors dropping by the Speedbowl exhibit at last weekend’s Speedway Expo at the Eastern States Exposition Grounds in West Springfield, MA.
“We’ll miss the first couple of events due to a long-overdue family vacation, but we plan on being there every week after that,” says Coates. “This season we’re going to try and have a good time, kind of a low-pressure deal. Should it lead to another battle for the title that’s fine. If not, that’s OK with us also.”
Waterford, CT — Rob Summers hopes to at the very least dim some of the memory of last year’s result in the 12th annual SK-150 April 12-13 at Waterford Speedbowl’s Budweiser Modified Nationals.
The $5,000-to win SK-150 is the centerpiece of the 10 division “Mod Nats” which also including the jumping off point for the championship runs in the ‘Bowl’s Late Model, Sportsman, Mini Stock and Legends divisions. The Northeastern Midget Association, NEMA Lites, Pro4 Modifieds, AllStar Trucks and Allison Legacy Cars are also due.
Waterford, CT — Reigning Waterford Speedbowl SK-Modified champion Rob Janovic Jr. admits to having “a little extra “spring in his step” these days. The realization of his name being among decades of Speedbowl modified champions has finally sunk-in.
“When you’re in the middle of the battle, you really don’t think about what the outcome is going to feel like. You’re too busy just trying to win the war,” says Janovic.
Janovic will be begin defense of his title April 12-13 in the SK-150, the headliner of the season-opening 12th annual Budweiser Modified Nationals. The weekend also includes the NASCAR Whelen All American Series Late Models, Sportsman, and Mini Stocks. The NEMA Midgets, NEMA Lites, Legends, AllStar Race Trucks, Pro4 Modifieds and Allison Legacy Cars are on the agenda.
Practice for the April 12-13 Budweiser Modified Nationals will be on Friday and Saturday April 5-6 and Friday, April 11. On each day, the pits will open at 9 pm and run until dark. There will be no grandstand sales.
Speedbowl race officials will be making tech and safety inspections on April 11. Competitors will also be allowed to leave their cars in the pit area over night.
Sources: Waterford Speedbowl PR
The #35 of defending Late Model champion Bruce Thomas Jr. will be one of the cars in the Speedbowl’s exhibit at the Feb. 29-March 2 Speedway Expo at the Mallary Complex at Eastern States Exposition in Springfield, MA.
The Speedbowl exhibit will also include the cars of Jay Miller (SK-Modified), Al Stone III (Sportsman), Jason Palmer (Legends) and Brad Voglesong (X-Car).
Speedway Expo hours are Friday from 5 to 9 pm, Saturday from 10 am to 9 pm and Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm.
Speedbowl SK-Modified competitor Frank Mucciacciaro Jr. is the consummate “low-buck” competitor. He’ll begin his 15th season trying to gain a spot in the 12th annual SK-150, the centerpiece of the Speedbowl’s season-opening, 10-division Budweiser Modified Nationals April 11-12.
Waterford, CT –The 12th annual Budweiser Modified Nationals featuring the SK-150 will kick off Waterford Speedbowl’s 58th consecutive season April 12-13. Ten divisions fill the busy agenda. It is preceded by a practice on April 5-6.
Getting off the mark in strong fashion is especially important in weekly auto racing. Dennis Charette plans on doing just that in the season-opening SK-150 at Waterford Speedbowl.
The $5,000-to win SK-150 is the centerpiece of the 12th annual, 11-division Budweiser Modified Nationals April 12-13. The first of extra-distance, extra-money SK events, it remains one of the division’s premier races.
Charette joins 2007 winner Jeff Pearl, defending champion Rob Janovic Jr. and six-time champ Dennis Gada on the list of “regulars” hoping to keep the money and prestige at home. Likely invaders, all of whom have filed entries, include Ted Christopher, Jeff Malave, Kenny Horton, 2006 winner Frank Ruocco, Doug Coby and Rob Summers.
Waterford, CT — SK Modified division driver Jay Miller and his #09 Team are busy preparing for the upcoming 2008 racing season, which promises to be an exciting one.
“Our plans are to run the full schedule at Waterford this season” said Miller. “We basically have totally revamped our primary car that we ran last year, from the ground up with all new parts and pieces. We’ll also have our backup car complete and ready to go. The team and I are really excited about the upcoming season and can’t wait for it to get started. We feel we can run competitively and contend for solid finishes.”
Waterford, CT -- After his first few laps in a Legends school at the Waterford Speedbowl, 16-year old Brent Sweet knew there was something special about the
The family’s third generation of participation begins when Brent attempts to qualify for the SK-150, the centerpiece of the season-opening 12th annual Budweiser Modified Nationals on April 12-13. The weekend also includes extra-distance races for the NASCAR Whelen All American Series Late Models, Sportsman, and Mini Stocks. The NEMA Midgets, NEMA Lites, Legends, AllStar Race Trucks, Pro4 Modifieds, and Allison Legacy Cars are also part of the festivities.
Waterford, CT -- It is not easy finding the right spot for Ted Christopher in Waterford Speedowl’s hierarchy. He loves every minute of the puzzle.
Calling him a “visitor” doesn’t make sense considering he has won the 1992 SK-Modified championship, 36 features (in four different divisions) and four poles at the Bowl. Still, he never fails to generate extra ordinary “big time” excitement when he does appear.
Christopher hopes to add to his Bowl resume in the 12th annual SK-150, the centerpiece of the season-opening Modified Nationals April 12-13. The 1999 winner, Christopher will come with his own SK and also is “working on” a Midget ride.
Waterford, CT — Veteran Speedbowl competitor Tom Fox has been named among the nominees to receive a “Speedy Award” at Sunoco Speedway Expo 08’.
Slated for February 29 – March 2 at The Big E, Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield, MA., Speedway Expo serves as a showcase for New England motorsports.
Fox joins fellow nominees Ted Christopher (Stafford Motor Speedway), Ron Bolduc (All-Star Speedway), Keith Rocco (Thompson & Stafford Speedways), JR Heffner, (Lebanon Valley Speedway), Roger Brown (ACT), Travis Adams (Oxford Plains), and, JR Baril: (Lee USA Speedway).
Waterford, CT — Why does Dennis Gada have six Waterford Speedbowl championships? Why is he a definite contender to win a record seventh in 2008? Jeff Pearl, one of his toughest competitors, believes he has the answers.
“When things are not going right, when things are going badly he stays positive,” offers Pearl. “That’s why Dennis Gada wins championships.”
When it all began in 1968, Don Fowler probably never envisioned becoming one of the “Elder Statesmen” of the SK Modifieds at the Waterford Speedbowl.
“Hard to believe it’s been that long, but it has,” states the 58 year-old Fowler who plans on yet another season at the shoreline oval.
Waterford, CT — The 11th annual Budweiser Modified Nationals featuring the SK-150 will kick off Waterford Speed bowl’s 58th consecutive season April 12-13. A record 10 divisions fill the busy two-day agenda that is preceded by a practice weekend April 5-6.
Sunday’s lucrative “150,” is the oldest of the SK special events. Speedbowl regular Jeff Pearl will be looking for a second straight “150” prize while Rob Janovic Jr. will begin defense of the ’07 SK championship. Frank Ruocco, the ’06 winner, Kenny Horton, Ron Yuhas Jr., Jeff Malave and Rob Summers have all filed entries.
In addition to the Speedbowl’s SK, Late Model, Sportsman, Mini Stock and Legends, the Nationals will host the Northeastern Midget Association, the Pro4 Modifieds, AllStar Race Trucks, Allison Legacy Cars and NEMA’s new “Lites” division.
The “150” highlights the Speedbowl’s season opening, 11th annual, 10-division Budweiser Modified Nationals April 12-13. It is the oldest and still the most prestigious extra-distance, extra-money SK event.
Winning will be no easy chore. This year’s entry list includes Rob Summers, Kenny Horton, 2006 winner Frank Ruocco, Doug Coby and Jeff Malave in addition to “home bodies” like defending champ Rob Janovic Jr. six-time king Dennis Gada and Dennis Charette.
Kenny Horton (19) and Ruocco (97), top, and Rob Summers, right, have filed entries and are expected to be major contenders in the SK-150 at the April 12-13 Modified Nationals. All have tasted victory in the past at the ‘Bowl, Ruocco the ’06 150 champ.
The well-spoken Paul is part of an emerging new “youth group” at the Bowl along with 19-year old Tyler Chadwick and 2007 Rookie of the Year Glenn Pressel III.
New England Auto Racer Hall of Fame member Vic Bombacci, co-owner of V8, passed away Feburary 2 at Middlesex Hospital in Middletown, CT. He was 78.
Bombacci and Bob Vitari, boyhood friends in Essex, CT, brought a race car to the Waterford Speedbowl in 1958. With driver Bill Slater, they won the Speedbowl championship in 1959 in the car soon known as the Connecticut Valley Rocket.
The popular Yuhas will be out to improve on his SK stats (17 career wins including five extra distance events) as well. The familiar Yuhas family #6 has filed an entry for ’08. Ron has wins in both the Midsummer Classic 100 and the Finale 100 and hopes to complete a “triple crown” with a victory in this year’s SK150 at the Modified Nationals on April 12-13.
Sources: Waterford Speedbowl PR