by | May 30, 2014 | Connecticut, Waterford
Waterford, CT (May 29, 2014) – Waterford Speedbowl management announced
today the creation of a new position, penalties following Saturday, May
24th’s racing program, and the departure of one member of their staff.
The new position of Race Vehicle Safety Coordinator has been created. The
sole responsibility of the newly created position will be overseeing that
all cars participating in the Speedbowl’s track race divisions are
compliant with track mandated safety regulations. The position will be
filled on an interim basis by veteran Speedbowl competitor Bill Leonard.
Candidates are currently being sought to fill the position moving forward.
The position of Race Vehicle Safety Coordinator will report directly to
the Race Director, Patrick Williams.
As a result of inspections during the May 24th race program, SK Modified®
division competitors Craig Lutz and Keith Rocco were each fined $500.00
for failure to abide by rule 2.11.5 D of the Speedbowl rulebook. The rule
requires the use of wheel tethers on the front wheels of SK Modified®
cars.
Also announced today was the departure of long time SK Modified® division
tech inspector Everett Marvin.
“We take safety very seriously at the Speedbowl, but despite our best
intentions things were obviously overlooked by us as well as the racers
involved” said Speedbowl owner Terry Eames. “We know Bill Leonard will
create a system of safety verification that will prevent this from
happening again” Eames continued. “Today’s announcements are in line with
where we intend to be”.
The position of Race Vehicle Safety Coordinator will be in place beginning
with this Saturday, May 31st’s Four Cylinder Fury race program.
by | May 16, 2014 | Connecticut, Waterford
Waterford, CT (May 14, 2014) – Wild ‘n Wacky Wednesday racing was back at Waterford Speedbowl with another entertaining night of motorsports landing five drivers into the winner’s circle. Mike Christopher Jr. of Wolcott continued his hot streak in the INEX Legend Cars, Jon Porter of Canterbury took home the Super X-Car accolades and Zac Thomas of New London was awarded the win in the X-Cars. Anthony Marvin of Colchester won for the second time in as many week in the INEX Bandoleros and Dave Gargaro Jr. of Cranston, RI was tops in the night’s Wacky Race.
Christopher rolled to his second consecutive 25-lap INEX Legend Cars victory on Wild ‘n Wacky Wednesday and third overall in the division at the Speedbowl this season. The excitement started on lap-1 when Scott Limkemann spun in turn one from mid-pack, looping his machine but kept going allowing the race to continue on. T.J. Thompson took command over Dennis Pantani to lead lap-1.
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by | May 12, 2014 | Connecticut, Waterford
Waterford, CT (May 10, 2014) – Waterford Speedbowl returned to fast paced motorsports action Saturday night with a six-division NASCAR Whelen All-American Series racing program. Kyle James of Ashaway, RI snatched his first victory of the year in SK Modified® ranks. Keith Rocco of Berlin won his fifth straight Valenti Auto Mall Late Model feature on the season and Ken Cassidy Jr. of Lisbon continued his mastery of the Mini Stock division. Andover’s Paul French won his first SK Light Modified race on the year and Paul Bigelow of Kensington came away with the victory in the NEMA Lite feature. Josh Galvin of Franklin won the night’s Street Stock race, his second in a row.
An emotional opening ceremony began the night’s program following a brief rain delay earlier in the evening. The track honored the memory of multiple time track champion Danny Field with much of his family and closest supporters in attendance. Field, a long time Mini Stock competitor at the Speedbowl, passed away Wednesday after battling cancer. He won Speedbowl Mini Stock titles in 2005, 2006 and 2009 and posted 28 career victories at the track and was active at the track through 2013. Field’s younger brother Eddie paced the Mini Stocks with an honorary pole-position behind the wheel of his brother’s #18 machine, pulling off the track before the start of the race.
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by | May 8, 2014 | Connecticut, Waterford
Waterford, CT (May 7, 2014) – Waterford Speedbowl hosted its opening Wild ‘n Wacky series racing card of the year Wednesday evening. A quick paced and fiercely competitive night of motorsports entertained a hearty crowd
that turned out. There were no opening night jitters for Mike Christopher Jr. of Wolcott, who used a thrilling final lap move to checker the INEX Legend Cars feature. Hometown driver Dan Butler came out on top in the Super X-Car feature, Rich Nye of Stonington won his first-ever race in the night’s X-Car feature and Groton’s Marc Shafer won the Wacky Toll Booth Race. The INEX Bandolero feature was won by Jonathon Puleo of Branford.
Christopher showed patience over the first half of the 25-lap INEX Legend Cars feature then came on strong in the closing stages. Veteran driver and former champion George Whitney was the second leader of the race, taking command on lap-3 from Michael Blaskey. Whitney benefitted by an intense battle for second position over the middle of the race between Blaskey and Christopher. The pair traded the spot as Christopher tried numerous times to unseat Blaskey’s hold of the runner-up position. Christopher took advantage of a bobble by Blaskey on lap-19 to grab the spot and immediately went on the attack. He quickly ran down Whitney’s slight advantage, tailing him for the next five laps pressing for the lead in a classic battle to the finish. Christopher used a timely tap to Whitney’s rear bumper in in turns three and four on the final lap to dart to his inside, setting up a sprint off the final turn to the checkered flag. Christopher won his second race of the year by just a half car length in exciting fashion with his charge, besting Whitney. Last year’s division champion Joey Ternullo finished third. (more…)
by | Apr 17, 2014 | Connecticut, Waterford
By Brian Darling
The Valenti Modified Racing Series kicked off its 11th season with a banner field of cars on hand at Waterford Speedbowl for the tracks annual Blastoff Weekend Saturday and Sunday. Keith Rocco scored a convincing victory for car owner John Rufrano following the 100-lap feature, wiring the race from green to checkered flags to finish off a big weekend for the second-generation driver from Berlin (CT). Rocco won the track’s NASCAR SK Modified and Late Model features Sunday as well, tying a 54-year old track record with three wins in a single day at the speedway.
The buildup of anticipation for the series over the offseason culminated with a star studded 33 entries vying for the 24 starting positions for Sunday’s 100-lap feature. Saturday’s three 12-lap heat races were won by Keith Rocco in the Rufrano #68, his brother Jeff Rocco in the Pane #57 and Ted Christopher in the Brady #00. Justin Bonsignore brought the Barry #21 home a winner in Saturday’s 15-lap consolation race.
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by | Apr 14, 2014 | Connecticut, Waterford
Waterford, CT (April 13, 2014) – Waterford Speedbowl’s Blastoff Weekend continued Sunday with the final six races of the event card being completed. Keith Rocco of Berlin dominated the day, turning in a memorable performance as he took a victory in all three events he entered. He reached the winner’s circle in the Valenti Modified Racing Series season opening race, joining his triumphs in the Speedbowl’s NASCAR Whelen All-American Series SK Modified® and Bob Valenti Auto Mall Late Model divisions to tie a 54-year old track record for number of victories in a single day. Other race wins on Sunday went to Josh Galvin of Franklin in the Street Stock race and Ian Brew of Wood River Junction in the Mini Stocks, while Avery Stoehr of Lakeville, MA continued a family tradition of winning in the Northeastern Midget Association feature.
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