Wings & Wheels at Speedbowl this Saturday
Speed on display as ISMA, NEMA, Valenti Modified Racing Series highlight
event card
Waterford, CT (August 7, 2014) – In what has become a summer tradition for
motorsports enthusiasts across the northeast, Waterford Speedbowl hosts
the 7th annual Wings & Wheels event on Saturday. The popular event
combines the electrifying speeds of the fastest asphalt short track racing
machines across the country. Race fans will be treated to the thrill of
open-wheeled racing along with extraordinary speeds at the three-eighths
mile shoreline oval. The International Supermodified Association (ISMA),
Northeastern Midget Association (NEMA) and Valenti Modified Racing Series
all make stops on their summer tour, joining the Speedbowl’s own NASCAR
Whelen All-American Series SK Modified® and SK Light Modified divisions
for a unique pairing of race divisions.
ISMA makes its only Speedbowl appearance of 2014 at Saturday’s event. Rob
Summers, a former Speedbowl track champion in the SK Modifieds®, leads the
series championship standings. Jon McKennedy is the defending race winner
and closely trails Summers in the season standings. ISMA Supermodifieds
are lightning quick on the stop watch with speeds in the 120-mph plus
range at corner entry, averaging over 107-mph on the tight three-eighths
mile oval. They will compete in a 50-lap race Saturday.
The Valenti Modified Racing Series returns for the second of three 2014
appearances, but first since opening the season back in April. They will
race for 100 green flag laps Saturday in what shapes up to be a hotly
contested event. Speedbowl standout Keith Rocco used his home track
expertise to take down the win and is a favorite headed into Wings &
Wheels. Several series competitors are former Speedbowl standouts,
including two-time champion Chris Pasteryak, just nine points out of the
lead seeking another title. Like Summers, Pasteryak is a graduate of the
Speedbowl’s SK Modified® ranks. In a very tight series title chase,
Justin Bonsignore leads last year’s champion Rowan Pennink by just one
mark. Todd Szegedy, yet another modified standout, is also well
positioned for a title run. Several other series drivers look towards
Waterford as a homecoming, including Max Zachem and Dave Etheridge, along
with recent SK Modified® winners Jeff Pearl, Tom Abele Jr., Woody Pitkat
and Kyle James as expected entries. Lap times from the Valenti Modifieds
could dip into the 13-second bracket, keeping with the theme of speed and
open wheels.
The NEMA Midgets pay homage Saturday to long-time car owner and former
club president Gene Angelillo, along with his wife Marilyn. The
prestigious Angelillo Memorial 25-lapper is one of the highlights of the
NEMA season. NEMA races at Waterford are always lightning-quick. The
last series appearance, just two weeks ago, was completed in under ten
minutes with Seth Carlson taking victory. NEMA’s benchmark is the
12-second bracket, joining ISMA in the elite speed category. The NEMA
Lites will also compete in a 25-lap race on Saturday.
Joining ISMA, NEMA and the Valenti Modified Racing Series will be the
Speedbowl’s SK Modified® and SK Light Modified divisions. SK Modified®
point leader Keith Rocco seeks his 100th career Speedbowl win. He has a
chance if he wins both the SK Modified® and Valenti Modified Racing Series
features and would become just the third driver in track history to
achieve the feat. Six drivers have visited the winner’s circle during the
year. In the SK Lights, five different drivers have won thus far in 2014.
Racing begins Saturday with qualifying heats at 5:00pm. Main events are
scheduled to begin at 6:35pm. Pricing is set at $38.00 for adult
grandstands admission with youth age 6-14 just $10.00. Kids age five &
under are admitted free and the facility offers acres of free parking as
well as overnight parking. Pit gates open at 11:00am while spectator
grandstands open at 1:00pm. More information is available by visiting
Speedbowl.com from a home computer or mobile device.