Hadley enjoys winning detour into Mini Stocks
WATERFORD — Jordan Hadley was looking for a silver lining into what had become a disappointing Sportsman season.
He needed to change divisions, however, in order to find one. And it turned out to be a silver lining worth $200.
Hadley stepped into a Mini-Stock on Aug. 18 at the New London-Waterford Speedbowl for the first time all season, started 10th and was able to barnstorm into the lead. He held on for his ninth Mini Stock victory sand his 17th in his career.
“It was very satisfying,” Hadley said. “”We decided to take one shot this year with the Mini Stock and we had an awesome car.”
Even though Hadley has had one win, two second place finishes a third place and two fourth place finishes in the Sportsman division in 11 races he was not having the type of season for which he was hoping.
“There were a lot of ups and downs with the Sportsman car,” Hadley said. We were going for a championship and motor problems took us out. It kind of sucked.
“It’s not the worst thing that could happen because we always could go for a championship next year. But we thought we could do it this year. Those motor problems were a pain in the butt.”
Hadley is fourth in the Sportsman standings, but 54 points behind leader Shawn Gaedeke.
Last week the Sportsmen were idle, but the Mini Stocks were running and there was something about the race that caught Hadley’s attention — a $200 bonus if someone could beat Charles Canfield, who had won five out of the past six Mini races.
”I saw the bounty and I wanted to go for it,” Hadley said. “I saw George Whitney when I was at Hudson Speedway for a truck race and I asked him if I could race my Mini Stock. And he told me I could.”
The Mini that Hadley climbed into Saturday had the same set-up that he ended the past season with.
“We didn’t even change the car when we ran the opener at Thompson,” Hadley said. “The only thing we did is that we added another body. We wanted to put on a show.”
That turned out to be the case. Hadley was able to roll through traffic without making any contact..
“This was the cleanest race I’ve ever been in,” Hadley said. “I don’t think I touched another car.”
Hadlerey passed Sean Caron to get into the lead for good. Despite his success, however, Hadley said he’ll probably put his Mini Stock away for the rest of the season.
“It‘s possible we night bring it back if another big race comes along,” Hadley said. “But I think it’s too much to ask to run two cars a night. It’s far too much work to maintain both.”
Hadley, however, has been a winner in every division he’s ever entered, starting with the SRX kart division at the Speedbowl.
“When I got into the kart six years ago, I really wasn’t expecting much,” Hadley said, “I just wanted to try it. But my second week in the kart, I won my first race.”
And a trend was established. Hadley went into the X-Cars on Wild and Wednesday and won in his third race. He also captured a win in his second Mini Stock race and his second Sportsman race, making him the ultimate quick learner.
Hadley says he gives multi-time Late Model champ Bruce Thomas all the credit for his success.
“Bruce has taught me patience and he’s also taught me consistency,” Hadley said. “I’ve learned how to set my marks. If it wasn’t for Bruce Thomas, I don’t know where I would be today.”
Hadley’s sponsors include Chassis Whisperer, Critical Signs, Jet Electric, All-State Insurance of Groton and A&A Roofing. Thomas and Kris Taylor make up his crew.
Hadley says he plans on competing in the Street Stock for one more season and then may venture out into the Late Models.’
“I love the Modifieds, but I don’t know if I could drive one of those,” Hadley said. “I like fenders too much to drive anything else.
And the Mini Stocks? Hadley may be waiting just for the next bounty to come along
Bus bedlam
The school buses will play a major role tonight on “Back to School Night” at the Speedbowl. In addition to seven divisions of racing — the SK Modifieds, the SK Light Modifieds, the Mini Stocks, the Sportsman, The Speedbowl Trucks , the Legends and the CT. Pro 4 Modifieds — there will be a school bus race, and then a school bus demolition derby.
Qualifying starts at 5:15 p.m. Also at 5:15 p.m., there will be an autograph session for the Speedbowl Trucks and the Sportsman Division.
Features will start as soon as qualifying is completed.
