WATERFORD — James “Diego” Monahan is getting ready to move from the sidelines and back into an SK Modified.
Monahan says that he’ll be driving the back-up car for Andrew Molleur in Saturday’s twin 40-lap SK Modified features at the New London-Waterford Speedbowl. It will be Monahan’s first Speedbowl appearance at the season.
“I’m definitely coming back,” Monahan said. “I don’t know for how long. Maybe I will just be a field filler.”
His career record indicates otherwise. Monahan has racked up 19 wins at the Speedbowl, including 10 in the Modifieds. During he last several seasons, he has been a contender for the Speedbowl Modified championship.
At the start of the 2018 season, however, Monahan has spent all his time working with his daughter, Emma, who is competing in thew Speedbowl’s Bandolero division. Emma currently is the division’s hottest driver with eight straight podium finishes, including three victories.
Now it’s dad’s turn to try and move into the spotlight, driving a Troyer car owned by Dave Jackson, the same car driven by Bo Gunning during his final Speedbowl seasons.
“It’s a good car,” Monahan says. “It has a new front clip and a freshened motor. I just got it tuned at Keith Rocco’s shop. It’s amazing — he used to be an adversary, and now he’s helping me out.”
Monahan says his primary goal is to get the car ready for Molleur, just in case he needs it. Molleur currently is fourth in the Speedbowl Modified point standings.
“That’s the deal I have with Dave Jackson,” Monahan said. “I’m excited about this opportunity.”
Monahan has yet to take that car out on the track for a practice session. He says, however, that it doesn’t really matter — he has the Speedbowl experience to compensate for that.
“I’ve turned quite a few laps at the Speedbowl,” Monahan said. “If the car is close, we should be good. I have a hard time believing that we won’t be competitive.”
“”Plus I love the Speedbowl,” Monahan said. “I’m happy to support it.”
During the past two seasons, however, the relationship between Monahan and the track was turning sour. He had vicious crashes during the end of the past two seasons to take him out of the point race.
“The last couple of seasons weren’t friendly,” Monahan said. “But I just told someone that there’s nothing better than having Ted Christopher and Keith Rocco behind you for 15 laps and you’re holding them off. It’s a great feeling knowing you can run with the best. And that’s what I have accomplished.
“If the car doesn’t run good Saturday, I won’t get in the way. I’m not going to mess up the race for the guys going for the title.”
Monahan, however, isn’t counting out the possibility that the car might be able to get to the front.
“I’m not coming back to run in the back.” Monahan said. “Maybe I can give Kyle James and Todd Owen a run for their money. Or maybe it’s not in the cards. We’ll just have to wait and see.”
Monahan, however, says he has an added incentive to be in victory lane one more time.
“I want to celebrate in victory lane with my daughter,” said Monahan, referring to his infant daughter Jacqueline,
That would be the one of his 20 victory lane photos that would stand out the most.
Speedbowl notes
Nine-feature presentation
Qualifying will get under way at 5:15 p.m. Saturday for one of the busiest race programs on the year, with features getting under way at approximately 6:30 p.m. On the card are two SK Modified features, two Sportsman features, the Late Models, the Legends, the Conn. Pro 4 Modifieds, the X-Cars and the Outlaw Street Stocks..
The Outlaw Street Stock will consist of any car known as a Street Stock, regardless of what track it competes at on a regular basis. Cars from tracks such as Seekonk and Stafford, for example, are eligible.
Autograph August
During the month of August, special autograph sessions for all of the Speedbowl Saturday night divisions will be held prior to feature racing. First up will be the SK Modifieds and Late Models on Saturday.
Monster invasion
One of the biggest nights of the Summer at the New London-Waterford Speedbowl will take place on Sunday Aug. 19 at 5 p.m. when the Monster Trucks invade the Bowl for the first and only time this season.
In addition to the Monster Trucks, there will be Enduros, Quad Wars, Powerwheel and Big Wheel races, plus more events to be announced. The last time the Monster Trucks were in Waterford was 2015 and the show was a complete sellout.
Points battles
Kyle James will be entering Saturday’s SK Modified doubleheader as the division’s hottest driver. He has four wins and a six-point cushion over Todd Own in the standings. Rob Janovic is third, 12 points out. The tightest division is the Late Models. Ryan Morgan has a three-point lead over Jason Palmer, with Anthony Flannery 12 points out… Shawn Gaedeke comes into the Sportsman doubleheader with a 17 point lead over Jordan Hadley. Jon Porter is 22 points out. ,, Peter Bennett is the pacesetter in the Saturday Legends Division by 10 over Scott Limkemann.
