RGeeProductions
05-22-2011, 10:40 AM
Flannery takes first career Late Model race
Stone, Colvin, French and Downing other winners on the night
Waterford Speedbowl returned to racing
action with ideal spring conditions overhead Saturday evening. Six races
were completed on the night, with five NASCAR Whelen All-American Series
events recorded. Wallingford’s Keith Rocco overcame early race woes
before rallying over the final laps to claim his second consecutive SK
Modified® victory. Anthony Flannery of East Hampton was a first time
winner in the Bob Valenti Auto Mall Late Model division, Al Stone of New
Haven returned to Victory Lane in the Street Stocks, Glenn Colvin of
Clinton was the Mini Stock feature winner and Paul French of Andover won
the debut event for the SK Light Modifieds. Ken Downing III of Branford
was the Super X-Car winner.
Rob Janovic started the 35-lap SK Modified® feature outside the front row,
and powered by pole sitter Glenn Pressel in the outside lane just two laps
into the race. The field singled out behind Janovic with Pressel, Tucker
Reynolds, Ron Yuhas and Tom Abele as the early top-five.
Rocco was on the move, using the outside lane to advance his position into
the top-five by the time the race was just 10-laps old. Caution flew a
lap later when Nichole Morgillo made slight contact into the tire barrier
in turn four on lap-11.
Rocco used the inside lane to advance into third position behind Janovic
and Reynolds following the restart. Yuhas settled into fourth position
behind the top three. Turmoil unfolded behind Yuhas when Pressel was
turned around in front of the field in turn four collecting several
competitors to bring out caution on lap-13.
Janovic got the jump when the green flag returned, bringing Rocco to
second and Yuhas up to third. That didn’t last long as Rocco went
spinning from second position in turn four to bring out the caution flag
again on lap-14. Yuhas was sent to the rear of the field by track
officials for overaggressive driving. That put Reynolds alongside Janovic
for another restart.
Janovic broke away from Reynolds when racing went back to green. Kyle
James was up to third position and Jeff Pearl to fourth, however the
running order would shuffle yet again following a restart on lap-20.
Janovic and Reynolds drag raced to turn one even when the race resumed.
Reynolds was able to gain momentum when contact between the two caused
Janovic to momentarily bobble, with Reynolds scored the leader for lap-21.
Contact between the pair continued through turns one and two with
Reynolds spinning to the track apron, bringing out caution. Janovic was
penalized during the caution period, handing the lead to Pearl who had
raced his way by James during the lap of green flag racing that was
completed.
Yuhas was back in contention after rising back through the pack, moving to
Pearl’s bumper following the restart. Rocco re-entered the top-five on
lap-24 looking to chase down the top four. He moved outside Joe Perry to
take the fourth spot on lap-29. Meanwhile, Yuhas was turning up the heat
on Pearl. He was looking in both the high and low lanes trying to find a
groove to challenge Pearl.
Rocco had advanced to third when a lap-32 restart set the stage for
Rocco’s late race theatrics. Pearl got the jump on Yuhas, but it was
Rocco who seized the opportunity to race to Pearl’s inside into turn one
with a bold move. He cleared Pearl exiting turn two and was able to hold
on over the final two laps to take his second consecutive win and fourth
overall on the season. Pearl, Yuhas, Tyler Chadwick and Reynolds
completed the top-five finishers.
Flannery dominated the 30-lap Bob Valenti Auto Mall Late Model race. He
started on the pole position and battled Joe Curioso over the opening
circuit before taking command. The sixteen year-old rookie went on to
distance himself first over Curioso, then Vin Esposito who got around
Curioso for second spot on lap-6 with last week’s winner Brian Andronaco
following suit into third.
Behind the top four a battle for position had broke out between several
competitors. Jason Palmer, Rich Staskowski, Jeff Smith and Bruce Thomas
were jockeying to contend for the fifth spot on the track for much of the
second half of the caution-free feature.
Smith was able to win out in that battle. Without caution, the top four
runners held their position on the race track. Flannery nailed down the
win, his first in the division in just his sixth race. Behind him
Esposito, Andronaco, Curioso and Smith finished second through fifth.
The 25-lap Street Stock race saw Josh Galvin as the leader through two
caution periods in the race’s first four laps. Following the second,
Stone challenged Galvin in the outside lane. The defending division
champion was looking for his first win of the season, running the outside
groove like a Speedbowl veteran. Galvin remained tucked to Stone’s inside
for the next seven laps not letting Stone out of his clutches. Stone was
finally able to clear Galvin and pulled down into the race lead on lap-13.
Brandon Plemons pulled out of line from third position with mechanical
woes that same lap, giving Stone and Galvin a half straight away advantage
over a battle for position between Chris Meyer, Ed Puleo and Ernie Larose.
Puleo and Meyer waged an entertaining duel for third before Puleo slipped
away into the position on lap-20.
Out front Stone was uninterrupted to win, going on to his first win on the
season by three car lengths. Galvin stayed in contention over the final
laps but ran out of opportunity. Puleo was third ahead of Meyer, coming
back after a heat race incident sent him to a backup car for the feature.
Larose was fifth.
Charles Canfield took the early lead in the 25-lap Mini Stock race.
Colvin was moving up early, pulling into contention within the first five
laps. He raced to the outside of Canfield on lap-5, with both leaders
coming wide out of turn four but staying alongside one another. Canfield
momentarily hung on to his lead with last week’s winner Jeff Cembruch hot
on the tail of the lead two as they battled out front. Colvin was
eventually able to overtake Canfield then gradually built up a comfortable
lead once in command.
The race remained caution-free, catapulting Colvin to his first win in the
division since 2008. The battle for position behind Colvin was intense
between several competitors. Point leader Bill Leonard was on the move,
getting around both Cembruch and Canfield to take over second position.
Defending champion Ken Cassidy Jr. was in pursuit behind Leonard, coming
up to third. Those two set chase on Colvin, leaving a five-car battle for
fourth position all the way to the checkered flag.
As Colvin cruised to the win, Leonard and Cassidy teamed up to cross the
stripe nose-to-tail for second and third positions, while Cembruch bested
the battle to hang on to fourth position ahead of Ray Christian III.
The debut of the SK Light Modified division at the Speedbowl saw French
jump out to the early lead in the 25-lap race. He took over from the
outside pole starting position over Chris Correll when the green flag
waved. As Correll slipped back, Corey Larson moved into second position.
The race ran caution-free until Victoria Bergenty spun between turns one
and two drawing the event’s only yellow flag on lap-14. While under
caution Greg Moran Sr. suffered mechanical failure, giving up his top-five
run.
French dominated the restart as Larson slipped. Larson gave up second
position to Steve Greer, while Bubby Brouwer came up to third. French
moved out to a several car length lead over the battle behind him.
Brouwer pressured Greer for second, eventually taking the position with an
inside maneuver on lap-17.
Once in second, Brouwer led a train of cars back to contend French in the
final laps. Just as the field caught French, the white flag was in the
air. Brouwer tried a last lap move out of turn four to challenge for the
win, to no avail. French won ahead of Brouwer, Greer, Larson and
Bergenty.
Downing battled Peter Pollard during the middle portion of the 20-lap
Saturday Showdown Series event for the Super X-Car division. Downing used
the bottom of the track on his way to victory. Behind him, Pollard, Frank
Alessio, Ed Ryan and Jim Boyle were the top-five finishers.
Waterford Speedbowl has a busy week ahead with four events over a five-day
stretch. It all starts with Wild ‘n Wacky Wednesday with a full five-event
program on tap, plus the completion of the final 13-laps of the suspended
Legends Cars event from May 18. In addition to Wednesday, the shoreline
oval will be in action for Friday’s Show and Go at the ‘Bowl with
spectator drags and cruise night car show. On Saturday, the ISMA
Supermodifieds make their first of two visits to the Speedbowl on the year
as they join the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series divisions for a night
of speed. On Sunday night, Memorial Day Madness takes over featuring
Demo Derbies, Speedbowl Trailer Race, Ski Race and more all capped off by
an aerial fireworks display. All the information for each event is
available at Speedbowl.com.
(continued)
Stone, Colvin, French and Downing other winners on the night
Waterford Speedbowl returned to racing
action with ideal spring conditions overhead Saturday evening. Six races
were completed on the night, with five NASCAR Whelen All-American Series
events recorded. Wallingford’s Keith Rocco overcame early race woes
before rallying over the final laps to claim his second consecutive SK
Modified® victory. Anthony Flannery of East Hampton was a first time
winner in the Bob Valenti Auto Mall Late Model division, Al Stone of New
Haven returned to Victory Lane in the Street Stocks, Glenn Colvin of
Clinton was the Mini Stock feature winner and Paul French of Andover won
the debut event for the SK Light Modifieds. Ken Downing III of Branford
was the Super X-Car winner.
Rob Janovic started the 35-lap SK Modified® feature outside the front row,
and powered by pole sitter Glenn Pressel in the outside lane just two laps
into the race. The field singled out behind Janovic with Pressel, Tucker
Reynolds, Ron Yuhas and Tom Abele as the early top-five.
Rocco was on the move, using the outside lane to advance his position into
the top-five by the time the race was just 10-laps old. Caution flew a
lap later when Nichole Morgillo made slight contact into the tire barrier
in turn four on lap-11.
Rocco used the inside lane to advance into third position behind Janovic
and Reynolds following the restart. Yuhas settled into fourth position
behind the top three. Turmoil unfolded behind Yuhas when Pressel was
turned around in front of the field in turn four collecting several
competitors to bring out caution on lap-13.
Janovic got the jump when the green flag returned, bringing Rocco to
second and Yuhas up to third. That didn’t last long as Rocco went
spinning from second position in turn four to bring out the caution flag
again on lap-14. Yuhas was sent to the rear of the field by track
officials for overaggressive driving. That put Reynolds alongside Janovic
for another restart.
Janovic broke away from Reynolds when racing went back to green. Kyle
James was up to third position and Jeff Pearl to fourth, however the
running order would shuffle yet again following a restart on lap-20.
Janovic and Reynolds drag raced to turn one even when the race resumed.
Reynolds was able to gain momentum when contact between the two caused
Janovic to momentarily bobble, with Reynolds scored the leader for lap-21.
Contact between the pair continued through turns one and two with
Reynolds spinning to the track apron, bringing out caution. Janovic was
penalized during the caution period, handing the lead to Pearl who had
raced his way by James during the lap of green flag racing that was
completed.
Yuhas was back in contention after rising back through the pack, moving to
Pearl’s bumper following the restart. Rocco re-entered the top-five on
lap-24 looking to chase down the top four. He moved outside Joe Perry to
take the fourth spot on lap-29. Meanwhile, Yuhas was turning up the heat
on Pearl. He was looking in both the high and low lanes trying to find a
groove to challenge Pearl.
Rocco had advanced to third when a lap-32 restart set the stage for
Rocco’s late race theatrics. Pearl got the jump on Yuhas, but it was
Rocco who seized the opportunity to race to Pearl’s inside into turn one
with a bold move. He cleared Pearl exiting turn two and was able to hold
on over the final two laps to take his second consecutive win and fourth
overall on the season. Pearl, Yuhas, Tyler Chadwick and Reynolds
completed the top-five finishers.
Flannery dominated the 30-lap Bob Valenti Auto Mall Late Model race. He
started on the pole position and battled Joe Curioso over the opening
circuit before taking command. The sixteen year-old rookie went on to
distance himself first over Curioso, then Vin Esposito who got around
Curioso for second spot on lap-6 with last week’s winner Brian Andronaco
following suit into third.
Behind the top four a battle for position had broke out between several
competitors. Jason Palmer, Rich Staskowski, Jeff Smith and Bruce Thomas
were jockeying to contend for the fifth spot on the track for much of the
second half of the caution-free feature.
Smith was able to win out in that battle. Without caution, the top four
runners held their position on the race track. Flannery nailed down the
win, his first in the division in just his sixth race. Behind him
Esposito, Andronaco, Curioso and Smith finished second through fifth.
The 25-lap Street Stock race saw Josh Galvin as the leader through two
caution periods in the race’s first four laps. Following the second,
Stone challenged Galvin in the outside lane. The defending division
champion was looking for his first win of the season, running the outside
groove like a Speedbowl veteran. Galvin remained tucked to Stone’s inside
for the next seven laps not letting Stone out of his clutches. Stone was
finally able to clear Galvin and pulled down into the race lead on lap-13.
Brandon Plemons pulled out of line from third position with mechanical
woes that same lap, giving Stone and Galvin a half straight away advantage
over a battle for position between Chris Meyer, Ed Puleo and Ernie Larose.
Puleo and Meyer waged an entertaining duel for third before Puleo slipped
away into the position on lap-20.
Out front Stone was uninterrupted to win, going on to his first win on the
season by three car lengths. Galvin stayed in contention over the final
laps but ran out of opportunity. Puleo was third ahead of Meyer, coming
back after a heat race incident sent him to a backup car for the feature.
Larose was fifth.
Charles Canfield took the early lead in the 25-lap Mini Stock race.
Colvin was moving up early, pulling into contention within the first five
laps. He raced to the outside of Canfield on lap-5, with both leaders
coming wide out of turn four but staying alongside one another. Canfield
momentarily hung on to his lead with last week’s winner Jeff Cembruch hot
on the tail of the lead two as they battled out front. Colvin was
eventually able to overtake Canfield then gradually built up a comfortable
lead once in command.
The race remained caution-free, catapulting Colvin to his first win in the
division since 2008. The battle for position behind Colvin was intense
between several competitors. Point leader Bill Leonard was on the move,
getting around both Cembruch and Canfield to take over second position.
Defending champion Ken Cassidy Jr. was in pursuit behind Leonard, coming
up to third. Those two set chase on Colvin, leaving a five-car battle for
fourth position all the way to the checkered flag.
As Colvin cruised to the win, Leonard and Cassidy teamed up to cross the
stripe nose-to-tail for second and third positions, while Cembruch bested
the battle to hang on to fourth position ahead of Ray Christian III.
The debut of the SK Light Modified division at the Speedbowl saw French
jump out to the early lead in the 25-lap race. He took over from the
outside pole starting position over Chris Correll when the green flag
waved. As Correll slipped back, Corey Larson moved into second position.
The race ran caution-free until Victoria Bergenty spun between turns one
and two drawing the event’s only yellow flag on lap-14. While under
caution Greg Moran Sr. suffered mechanical failure, giving up his top-five
run.
French dominated the restart as Larson slipped. Larson gave up second
position to Steve Greer, while Bubby Brouwer came up to third. French
moved out to a several car length lead over the battle behind him.
Brouwer pressured Greer for second, eventually taking the position with an
inside maneuver on lap-17.
Once in second, Brouwer led a train of cars back to contend French in the
final laps. Just as the field caught French, the white flag was in the
air. Brouwer tried a last lap move out of turn four to challenge for the
win, to no avail. French won ahead of Brouwer, Greer, Larson and
Bergenty.
Downing battled Peter Pollard during the middle portion of the 20-lap
Saturday Showdown Series event for the Super X-Car division. Downing used
the bottom of the track on his way to victory. Behind him, Pollard, Frank
Alessio, Ed Ryan and Jim Boyle were the top-five finishers.
Waterford Speedbowl has a busy week ahead with four events over a five-day
stretch. It all starts with Wild ‘n Wacky Wednesday with a full five-event
program on tap, plus the completion of the final 13-laps of the suspended
Legends Cars event from May 18. In addition to Wednesday, the shoreline
oval will be in action for Friday’s Show and Go at the ‘Bowl with
spectator drags and cruise night car show. On Saturday, the ISMA
Supermodifieds make their first of two visits to the Speedbowl on the year
as they join the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series divisions for a night
of speed. On Sunday night, Memorial Day Madness takes over featuring
Demo Derbies, Speedbowl Trailer Race, Ski Race and more all capped off by
an aerial fireworks display. All the information for each event is
available at Speedbowl.com.
(continued)