Waterford Speedbowl Saturday 8/9 Wings & Wheels Results
Waterford, CT (August 9, 2014) – Waterford Speedbowl hosted the seventh
annual Wings & Wheels event Saturday evening in front of a jam packed
grandstand. Fans were treated to some of the fastest and most
sophisticated short track racecars in the country as the International
Supermodified Association made their only visit of the season and was
joined by the popular Valenti Modified Racing Series, Northeastern Midget
Association and NEMA Lites, plus the home track NASCAR Whelen All-American
Series SK Modifieds® and SK Light Modifieds. Ted Christopher of
Plainville ended a long Speedbowl drought dating back to 2004 with his win
in the night’s Valenti Modified Racing Series feature. Mark Sammut of
London, Ontario, Canada checkered the 50-lap ISMA Supermodified race. A
first time winner visited Victory Lane in the SK Modified® in surprise
fashion after an exciting conclusion, with Agawam, MA driver Jeff Gallup
recording the win. Randy Churchill of Oakdale took his third SK Light
Modified win of the year. In NEMA action, John Zych Jr. of Mendon, MA won
the Midget feature and Dan Cugini of Marshfield, MA won the companion NEMA
Lite race.
Christopher scored his third career Valenti Modified Racing Series victory
in the night’s 100-lap feature. He started the race in the outside pole
position and tucked behind early leader Stephen. Masse led through a
lap-42 caution flag following a quick opening sprint before Carl Medieros
Jr. hit the front stretch wall off turn four to draw the yellow.
Christopher had a great restart and powered ahead of Masse on the top of
the track through turns one and two, leading every lap until the finish.
He led comfortably over the middle of the race which stayed clean through
a single car spin on lap-78 for Dylan Kopec, which briefly drew a yellow
flag. Christopher restarted cleanly over series point leader Justin
Bonsignore and resumed.
Christopher’s biggest test may have been a red flag with three laps
remaining for a huge wreck that collected no less than ten cars and caused
a lengthy delay to clean up the mess. Anthony Nocella wrecked in turn
four on lap-96, setting up the massive melee on the restart. Tommy
Barrett Jr. and Woody Pitkat raced side-by-side for third behind the lead
two, with the field tightly bunched behind. The cars came together in
turn four coming to lap-97 and went head on into the front stretch wall,
collecting several cars directly behind including Rowan Pennink, Richard
Savary, Norm Wrenn, Keith Rocco, Geoff Gernhard among others, with all
involved receiving substantial damage.
Christopher got away from Bonsignore one final time to close out the win,
his first at the Speedbowl since July of 2004 when he took his last SK
Modified® victory at the track. Bonsignore was second and Masse ended up
third. Chris Pasteryak overcame a rough qualifying effort, using a
provisional starting spot and finished fourth and Tom Abele Jr. was fifth.
Gallup’s first career SK Modified® victory came following a wild finish
through the final corners coming to the checkered flag. Gallup battled
Shawn Monahan for most of the 35-lap feature, riding the outside of the
track to stay in contention for the win. Monahan seemed to have control
throughout, leading from his pole starting position. Heavy hitters Ted
Christopher and Keith Rocco worked their way from the back half of th top
ten to move into contention in the second half of the race. They trailed
behind the developing Monahan-Gallup duel in third and fourth position
from lap-18.
Rocco finally got by Christopher with four laps remaining as Monahan and
Gallup were still side-by-side. As they began the final lap, Monahan
cleared Gallup from his outside with Rocco following suit, diving inside
Gallup. As the lead pack entered turn three coming to the checkered flag,
Rocco made contact with Monahan’s rear bumper, sending his car up the
track. Monahan feverishly tried to keep his car from spinning but could
not. Rocco crossed the finish line first, but was immediately penalized
for overaggressive driving giving Gallup, who was behind Rocco at the
finish, the victory. Woody Pitkat steered through the crazy conclusion
and finished second while Christopher wound up third.
Sammut recorded the first Speedbowl triumph in his long ISMA career in the
night’s 50-lap race. The turning point for Sammut came on lap-37 when
leader Ryan Coniam was black flagged. His car began smoking two laps
prior, and as he pulled off the speedway on lap-38 his car erupted in
flame. The red flag was quickly display and Coniam escaped unscathed.
Sammut, who had been in second behind Coniam since lap-5, took over the
lead and was never seriously challenged the remainder of the way. Former
SK Modified® track champion Rob Summers, a hometown favorite, stayed with
Sammut throughout and finished second. Series point leader Jon McKennedy
was third. Sammut clocked a fast lap of 107mph in the race.
Churchill was back in the winner’s circle following the 25-lap SK Light
Modified feature, coming out on top of a mid-race battle with Corey Barry.
Churchill took the lead at the green flag, then held on as Barry moved to
his rear bumper and challenged him several laps into the race. Barry
actually took the lead briefly following the only caution flag in the race
on lap-17, running outside Churchill to lead by a nose. Churchill rallied
the following lap to reclaim the lead then powered on to the win. Barry,
the division point leader, finished second and Paul Buzel was third.
Zych rocketed his way to victory in the 25-lap winged NEMA Midget feature,
which was a tribute to Gene and Marilyn Angelillo, the late long-time car
owners and officers in the club. Zych took the lead after a lap-7
caution flag and romped to the win from there, holding off Randy Cabral
the rest of the way. Zych’s quick time was a blistering 106mph lap. He
was presented the winning trophies by the Angelillo’s granddaughters.
Cugini won the 25-lap NEMA Lite feature, with Logan Rayvals making a long
journey worthwhile, finishing runner-up. P.J. Stergios of was third.
Three caution flags slowed the race.
Next Saturday a six-division program returns to the Speedbowl with NASCAR
Whelen All-American Series racing by the SK Modifieds, Bob Valenti Auto
Mall Late Models, Street Stocks and Mini Stocks. They will be joined by
an appearance by the New England Truck Series as well as the track’s INEX
Legend Cars.