Joey Polewarczyk Jr.: ACT Late Model Tour
Waterford Speedbowl Race Report
Joey Polewarczyk Jr. of Hudson, N.H., won the ACT Late Model Tour Nutmeg State 100 at Waterford Speedbowl in Waterford, Conn., on Saturday, Aug. 21. The victory was the second of the season for Polewarczyk and the fifth of his career. The win also marked the second ACT Late Model Tour victory for Ford Racing — which first visited ACT victory lane in July when Polewarczyk won at Beech Ridge Motor Speedway. Polewarczyk started third at Waterford, took the lead on Lap 30 and then held off points leader Brian Hoar over the final five laps following a restart to post the victory.
WHO: Joey Polewarczyk Jr., Hudson, N.H.
TEAM: Pole’s Automotive/NH Precision No. 97 Ford
WHAT: ACT Late Model Tour Nutmeg State 100
WHERE: Waterford Speedbowl, Waterford, Conn. (.333-mile oval)
STARTED: 3rd
FINISHED: 1st
LED: 1 times for 71 laps
NEXT: Sunday, September 5, Thunder Road International Speedbowl, Barre, Vt. (.25-mile oval)
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JOEY, YOU GUYS REALLY SEEM TO HAVE HIT YOUR STRIDE IN THE SECOND HALF OF THE SEASON.
We definitely have. We worked so hard at trying to figure this Ford motor out all year long. We’ve always worked to get our setups and handling right, but this year we’ve worked harder than ever on that stuff. It’s been a lot of fun. I’m just trying to soak it all in, because we all know that things can change in a hurry in this sport.
We’re looking forward to getting back to the track and keeping this thing going. We’ve hit on something here where the car has been good just about everywhere we’ve gone. We’re excited.
WERE YOU WORRIED THAT BRIAN HOAR HAD A CHANCE TO GET BY YOU OVER THE FINAL FEW LAPS?
We went green for a while, and Brian was right on my bumper. But we got to a point near the end where I had a bunch of lapped cars on the inside (lane) between him and I, and I knew they were making it hard for him to get me. I was just hoping for no yellows at the end — but, of course, with five to go, we got one.
On the restart, I got a good jump, but we went down into Turn 1 and I drove in too deep and pushed up. He drove right up under me, but I just kept on going on the outside. We were side-by-side for the last five laps, and I just got him by half a car length at the checkered flag.
It was a close one. A nail-biter at the end.