RGeeProductions
08-14-2011, 04:53 PM
Rocco back in SK Modified® winner’s circle; Marquis takes upset win in
VMRS; Perley runs away in ISMA; Bertrand first time NEMA winner
Waterford Speedbowl hosted the fourth
annual Wings and Wheels event Saturday night, staging another round of
NASCAR Whelen All-American Series racing for the SK Modifieds®, the
track’s weekly headline division plus the visiting ISMA Supermodifieds,
NEMA Midgets and Valenti Modified Racing Series. Claiming victories on
the night were Keith Rocco of Wallingford, continuing his domination of
the SK Modified® division by picking up his tenth win on the season.
Chris Perley of Rowley, MA scored his third career win at the Speedbowl by
picking up the victory on the 50-lap ISMA Supermodified race. A
first-time winner reached the winner’s circle in the 25-lap NEMA Midget
feature as Todd Bertrand etched his name into the record books. In the
100-lap Valenti Modified Racing Series feature, veteran racer Jerry
Marquis of Broad Brook came out of racing retirement to score an upset
victory.
The 35-lap SK Modified® feature was led to the green flag by Joe Perry,
who led the field through the first caution on lap-3. Randy Churchill and
Harry Rheaume ran out of racing room off turn four, ending with Rheaume
pinned against the wall motionless in turn one to draw the yellow flag.
On the restart, Perry got a great jump over Chadwick who resided in second
position. Glenn Pressel looked inside Chadwick for second momentarily
before giving the position back to Chadwick. Chadwick then ran down
Perry, making a move to the outside to take over the race lead on lap-5
moments before caution was back over the field. Kyle James had stopped on
the track in turn four.
Chadwick moved out to a six car length lead when racing resumed. Keith
Rocco moved to second position but was unable to cut into Chadwick’s lead
at the front of the field. The field ran a stretch of green flag laps
with Chadwick maintaining his advantage. Rocco was second while the best
battle on the speedway was for third between Perry and Nichole Morgillo.
Tom Abele Jr. led another pack of cars that included Jeff Pearl and Rob
Janovic Jr. behind the contest for third. That ended in turn two on
lap-19 as Morgillo and Perry made contact, drawing a caution flag with
both picking up from the rear of the field.
Chadwick jumped out to the lead again on the restart but was challenged by
Rocco on lap-20 with a strong move to his inside in turn one. Rocco took
over, moving ahead by three car lengths. Pearl moved to second with
Janovic up to third, however neither could cut into Rocco’s lead. Caution
was out two more times on laps 25 and 28, the latter collecting several
cars as Abele came together with Chadwick triggering a multi-car melee in
turn three. Frank Mucciacciaro took a drilling hit into the outside wall
while Morgillo, Perry and Pressel were also collected and eliminated.
Rocco got away from Pearl on the restart, allowing Janovic to take second.
He chased Rocco to the checkered flag but was unable to mount a serious
challenge. Rocco won his tenth race of the year over Janovic. Pearl was
third ahead of Chadwick, while James rebounded for fifth at the checkered
flag.
Marquis started the 100-lap Valenti Modified Racing Series feature from
the pole and withstood four restarts, besting the field on his way to the
win in his first career Series start. Marquis came out of a four-year
retirement to compete in the event after he was only slated to help
practice the car earlier in the day.
Marquis, the former NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour shoe and multi-time track
champion across New England, took the lead at the drop of the green flag
over Rob Janovic Jr. Janovic tested Marquis following restarts on lap-6
and lap-8 after minor incidents slowed the field in the opening laps.
Racing settled in following the second yellow flag, giving the field room
to work. By lap-28, Les Hinckley advanced to third position ahead of
Tommy Barrett, while one lap later Chris Pasteryak duplicated the move to
take over fourth behind Marquis and Janovic. Hinckley made an outside
bid on Janovic for second position stick on lap-39. Pasteryak followed
suit but used the inside lane to get by Janovic on lap-44. The third
caution period came out on lap-54 when Barrett spun after continuing to
fade with brake trouble setting in on his car.
Keith Rocco was on the move over the green flag run and following the
lap-54 restart, racing to sixth position. On lap-57, Rocco took his #57
machine into fifth around Mike Holdridge. A lap later, Rocco was inside
Louie Mechalides for the fourth position. Dennis Charette spun on lap-62
to rest the field for the final time before the run to the twin checkered
flags.
Hinckley briefly challenged Marquis on the restart but was not able to
edge ahead, eventually tucking in line behind Marquis after trying to
remain to his outside. Marquis slowly pulled out to a lead he would not
surrender over the remainder of the race. He won comfortably ahead of
Hinckley, who had to contend with serious pressure from Rocco to the
finish of the race. Rocco was not able to make a bid for second, settling
for third place. Pasteryak finished fourth with Max Zachem taking fifth
at the finish.
In the 50-lap ISMA Supermodified race, Perley was the benefactor of a
lap-21 wreck that collected race, leader Eric Lewis and drew the red flag.
Lewis bolted out to a commanding early lead in the opening green flag
run, reaching the back half of the field and immediately putting
competitors down a lap. Perley started at the back of the top-ten but
quickly moved up into the top four positions by lap-15, however was nearly
a half-track behind Lewis.
Lewis was lapping the field at a blistering pace when just in front of
him, two cars battling for position just outside the top-ten came together
on the frontstretch. The cars bobbled, sending Rich Reid darting into
Lewis with both cars crashing hard into the turn one wall. The chain
reaction wreck drew both the caution then red flags. Both competitors
were done for the night, with Reid’s car suffering heavy damage.
Past NASCAR champion Johnny Benson Jr. inherited the race lead with series
veteran Mark Sammut holding down second. Perley lined up third for the
lap-21 restart, wasting no time to race outside both Sammut, then Benson
to power to the race lead on lap-22. Perley distanced himself from the
pack in a long green flag run that ended on lap-43 for a spin in turn two.
Perley was not challenged over the final restart, cruising to his third
career win at the shoreline oval, but first since 2008. Mike Lichty
claimed second position over the final stages of the race ahead of Sammut,
who finished third. Ben Seitz and Craig Rayvals completed the top-five.
A green-to-checkered flag run for the NEMA Midgets was not short on
excitement over the duration of the 25-lapper. Paul Scally was the race’s
early leader, but Bertrand was in the mix right from the get-go. He
stalked Scally’s every maneuver throughout the first half of the race.
Behind them, Randy Cabral was slicing his way through the field from a
starting position deep in the field, reaching the top-five by lap-8.
Cabral was up to fourth place on lap-13 after getting past Greg Stoehr,
however Stoehr battled back with the two cars making brief contact in turn
three on lap-17. Cabral dropped back a couple positions in the process of
gathering his machine back under control.
Out front, Bertrand continued to keep the pressure on Scally. Bertrand
would test the top groove of the Speedbowl’s smooth surface multiple
times, however tuck back in line behind Scally. Entering turn one on
lap-19, Bertrand again looked high but used the momentum of crossing over
the track to make a diving move to Scally’s inside exiting turn two down
the back chute. As they completed the lap, Bertrand was scored as the new
leader.
From there Bertrand went on to pull away ahead of a wild battle for
position from second through much of the top-ten. Cabral deftly
maneuvered through the traffic to emerge in second position. Bertrand
went on to the career first triumph, continuing a trend of first-time NEMA
winners at the Speedbowl. It took him just under 5:47 to complete the
race. Cabral, Stoehr, Scally and Jeff Abold completed the top-five.
(continued)
VMRS; Perley runs away in ISMA; Bertrand first time NEMA winner
Waterford Speedbowl hosted the fourth
annual Wings and Wheels event Saturday night, staging another round of
NASCAR Whelen All-American Series racing for the SK Modifieds®, the
track’s weekly headline division plus the visiting ISMA Supermodifieds,
NEMA Midgets and Valenti Modified Racing Series. Claiming victories on
the night were Keith Rocco of Wallingford, continuing his domination of
the SK Modified® division by picking up his tenth win on the season.
Chris Perley of Rowley, MA scored his third career win at the Speedbowl by
picking up the victory on the 50-lap ISMA Supermodified race. A
first-time winner reached the winner’s circle in the 25-lap NEMA Midget
feature as Todd Bertrand etched his name into the record books. In the
100-lap Valenti Modified Racing Series feature, veteran racer Jerry
Marquis of Broad Brook came out of racing retirement to score an upset
victory.
The 35-lap SK Modified® feature was led to the green flag by Joe Perry,
who led the field through the first caution on lap-3. Randy Churchill and
Harry Rheaume ran out of racing room off turn four, ending with Rheaume
pinned against the wall motionless in turn one to draw the yellow flag.
On the restart, Perry got a great jump over Chadwick who resided in second
position. Glenn Pressel looked inside Chadwick for second momentarily
before giving the position back to Chadwick. Chadwick then ran down
Perry, making a move to the outside to take over the race lead on lap-5
moments before caution was back over the field. Kyle James had stopped on
the track in turn four.
Chadwick moved out to a six car length lead when racing resumed. Keith
Rocco moved to second position but was unable to cut into Chadwick’s lead
at the front of the field. The field ran a stretch of green flag laps
with Chadwick maintaining his advantage. Rocco was second while the best
battle on the speedway was for third between Perry and Nichole Morgillo.
Tom Abele Jr. led another pack of cars that included Jeff Pearl and Rob
Janovic Jr. behind the contest for third. That ended in turn two on
lap-19 as Morgillo and Perry made contact, drawing a caution flag with
both picking up from the rear of the field.
Chadwick jumped out to the lead again on the restart but was challenged by
Rocco on lap-20 with a strong move to his inside in turn one. Rocco took
over, moving ahead by three car lengths. Pearl moved to second with
Janovic up to third, however neither could cut into Rocco’s lead. Caution
was out two more times on laps 25 and 28, the latter collecting several
cars as Abele came together with Chadwick triggering a multi-car melee in
turn three. Frank Mucciacciaro took a drilling hit into the outside wall
while Morgillo, Perry and Pressel were also collected and eliminated.
Rocco got away from Pearl on the restart, allowing Janovic to take second.
He chased Rocco to the checkered flag but was unable to mount a serious
challenge. Rocco won his tenth race of the year over Janovic. Pearl was
third ahead of Chadwick, while James rebounded for fifth at the checkered
flag.
Marquis started the 100-lap Valenti Modified Racing Series feature from
the pole and withstood four restarts, besting the field on his way to the
win in his first career Series start. Marquis came out of a four-year
retirement to compete in the event after he was only slated to help
practice the car earlier in the day.
Marquis, the former NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour shoe and multi-time track
champion across New England, took the lead at the drop of the green flag
over Rob Janovic Jr. Janovic tested Marquis following restarts on lap-6
and lap-8 after minor incidents slowed the field in the opening laps.
Racing settled in following the second yellow flag, giving the field room
to work. By lap-28, Les Hinckley advanced to third position ahead of
Tommy Barrett, while one lap later Chris Pasteryak duplicated the move to
take over fourth behind Marquis and Janovic. Hinckley made an outside
bid on Janovic for second position stick on lap-39. Pasteryak followed
suit but used the inside lane to get by Janovic on lap-44. The third
caution period came out on lap-54 when Barrett spun after continuing to
fade with brake trouble setting in on his car.
Keith Rocco was on the move over the green flag run and following the
lap-54 restart, racing to sixth position. On lap-57, Rocco took his #57
machine into fifth around Mike Holdridge. A lap later, Rocco was inside
Louie Mechalides for the fourth position. Dennis Charette spun on lap-62
to rest the field for the final time before the run to the twin checkered
flags.
Hinckley briefly challenged Marquis on the restart but was not able to
edge ahead, eventually tucking in line behind Marquis after trying to
remain to his outside. Marquis slowly pulled out to a lead he would not
surrender over the remainder of the race. He won comfortably ahead of
Hinckley, who had to contend with serious pressure from Rocco to the
finish of the race. Rocco was not able to make a bid for second, settling
for third place. Pasteryak finished fourth with Max Zachem taking fifth
at the finish.
In the 50-lap ISMA Supermodified race, Perley was the benefactor of a
lap-21 wreck that collected race, leader Eric Lewis and drew the red flag.
Lewis bolted out to a commanding early lead in the opening green flag
run, reaching the back half of the field and immediately putting
competitors down a lap. Perley started at the back of the top-ten but
quickly moved up into the top four positions by lap-15, however was nearly
a half-track behind Lewis.
Lewis was lapping the field at a blistering pace when just in front of
him, two cars battling for position just outside the top-ten came together
on the frontstretch. The cars bobbled, sending Rich Reid darting into
Lewis with both cars crashing hard into the turn one wall. The chain
reaction wreck drew both the caution then red flags. Both competitors
were done for the night, with Reid’s car suffering heavy damage.
Past NASCAR champion Johnny Benson Jr. inherited the race lead with series
veteran Mark Sammut holding down second. Perley lined up third for the
lap-21 restart, wasting no time to race outside both Sammut, then Benson
to power to the race lead on lap-22. Perley distanced himself from the
pack in a long green flag run that ended on lap-43 for a spin in turn two.
Perley was not challenged over the final restart, cruising to his third
career win at the shoreline oval, but first since 2008. Mike Lichty
claimed second position over the final stages of the race ahead of Sammut,
who finished third. Ben Seitz and Craig Rayvals completed the top-five.
A green-to-checkered flag run for the NEMA Midgets was not short on
excitement over the duration of the 25-lapper. Paul Scally was the race’s
early leader, but Bertrand was in the mix right from the get-go. He
stalked Scally’s every maneuver throughout the first half of the race.
Behind them, Randy Cabral was slicing his way through the field from a
starting position deep in the field, reaching the top-five by lap-8.
Cabral was up to fourth place on lap-13 after getting past Greg Stoehr,
however Stoehr battled back with the two cars making brief contact in turn
three on lap-17. Cabral dropped back a couple positions in the process of
gathering his machine back under control.
Out front, Bertrand continued to keep the pressure on Scally. Bertrand
would test the top groove of the Speedbowl’s smooth surface multiple
times, however tuck back in line behind Scally. Entering turn one on
lap-19, Bertrand again looked high but used the momentum of crossing over
the track to make a diving move to Scally’s inside exiting turn two down
the back chute. As they completed the lap, Bertrand was scored as the new
leader.
From there Bertrand went on to pull away ahead of a wild battle for
position from second through much of the top-ten. Cabral deftly
maneuvered through the traffic to emerge in second position. Bertrand
went on to the career first triumph, continuing a trend of first-time NEMA
winners at the Speedbowl. It took him just under 5:47 to complete the
race. Cabral, Stoehr, Scally and Jeff Abold completed the top-five.
(continued)