RGeeProductions
04-01-2012, 11:57 PM
Waterford Speedbowl began the facility’s
62nd consecutive year of operation with Budweiser Blastoff Weekend.
Fourteen divisions were hosted over the three-day event, culminating with
Sunday’s Valenti Modified Racing Series feature, NEMA Midget race and
NASCAR Whelen All-American Series racing. Taking down victories on Sunday
included Jon McKennedy of Carlisle, MA in the 100-lap Valenti Modified
Racing Series event, driving for legendary Modified car owner Art Barry of
Preston. In NASCAR Whelen All-American Series action Keith Rocco of
Meriden doubled up, taking down wins in both the SK Modified® and Bob
Valenti Auto Mall Late Model division races. Charles Beal of Ledyard was
a first time Street Stock winner and Ken Cassidy Jr. of Lisbon won the
Mini Stock feature. Another first time winner found victory lane in the
NEMA Midget feature, as Louisville, KY driver John Zych was victorious.
Picking up wins in Saturday’s Blastoff main events included Paul French of
Andover, who won the evening’s NASCAR Whelen All-American Series SK Light
Modified race, Ryan Bigelow of East Hampton who found Victory Lane in the
NEMA Light touring series race, and Corey Coates of Ledyard who won in the
visiting New England Truck Series. In INEX racing, Dave Garbo Jr. of
Stonington claimed the win in the opening day Legends Cars feature and
Jacob Urch in the afternoon’s Bandolero race. Other winners included Jon
Porter of Canterbury in Super X-Cars, Chris Garside of Waterford in X-Cars
and James Logan of Dighton, MA in the New England Four Cylinder Pro Stock
tour event.
Tom Abele Jr. and Todd Ceravolo led a strong 24-car field to green for a
great opening 62-lap NASCAR Whelen All-American Series SK Modified®
feature. Both of the Speedbowl’s racing grooves were in top form Sunday,
providing fans for exciting racing among the leaders from the beginning.
Abele and Ceravolo fought neck-and-neck for early command of the race,
with Abele ahead by a nose. As the field worked lap-3 division newcomer
Rich Brooks spun in turn two, collecting Nichole Morgillo and sending her
to the pit area with left front damage.
When racing went back to green, Ceravolo was able to wrestle the lead from
Abele using the Speedbowl’s very capable outside groove. A multi-car
incident a lap later found Jeff Rocco, Harry Rheaume and Brooks out of
shape for the second caution period.
Ceravolo moved cleanly out front on the restart, bringing Rocco into the
picture behind him to second. Diego Monahan settled in third ahead of
Abele, who was able to tuck back in line in fourth position. Caution was
back out on lap-5 when Dave Salzarulo spun off turn four, starting a chain
reaction that sent Al Stone III hard into the turn one wall. Doug Coby,
Will Schneider and Brooks also went to the pits with damage from the
incident with only Coby able to resume.
Ceravolo and Rocco picked up the intense battle for the lead when racing
resumed, with Rocco pestering the back of the race leader looking in both
the high and low racing grooves. Monahan rested comfortably in third with
Rowan Pennink holding fourth position. Rob Janovic advanced to the
top-five as the race hit lap-12 and began pressuring Pennink, who was
losing ground behind the top-three.
As the leaders raced to turn one on lap-15, Rocco made a bold move inside
Ceravolo to muscle alongside. As the pair exited turn two, Rocco edged
ahead and Ceravolo tucked in behind. The field raced to lap-18 when
contact just outside the top-five sent Abele around between turns one and
two, collecting Kyle James and Randy Churchill, eliminating all three from
competition. Pennink pitted for adjustments as the cleanup occurred,
relinquishing fourth position to Janovic. Tyler Chadwick lined up fifth
for the restart.
Rocco resumed his lead with the green back out, leaving Ceravolo to tussle
with Monahan. Ceravolo fought off the challenge and picked up his pursuit
of Rocco. Janovic and Chadwick held down the top-five under an extended
run of racing. Coby was rebounding from his early trouble, racing into
the back half of the top-ten by halfway. The running order remained the
same through lap-36 when Monahan’s top run met adversity, spinning from
third position out of turn four while trying to work over Ceravolo.
Rocco, Ceravolo and Janovic continued to occupy the top-three spots
following the quick caution. Jeff Pearl quietly raced to the top-five and
then got by Chadwick into fourth during the next green flag run. Chadwick
helf fifth ahead of Coby, who was up to sixth position.
Janovic capitalized on a miscue by Ceravolo entering turn one on lap-49.
He darted to Ceravolo’s inside through the turn to claim second position.
Pearl looked hungry to snatch third away from Ceravolo, who shut the door
on Pearl’s bid off turn two. Jeff Gallup slowed that great racing when he
spun from the tail of the top-ten on lap-50 to bring out caution.
Rocco restarted strong over two final attempts, the final coming on lap-57
after Justin Strumpf took a trip into the back stretch wall. Janovic and
Ceravolo battled for second over the remaining laps with Janovic coming
out on top. He stayed glued to Rocco’s bumper to the checkered flag, but
was unable to mount a serious challenge for the win. Rocco took his 37th
career win in the division, vaulting him to second all-time in the
division behind seven-time champion Dennis Gada. Janovic took second
ahead of Ceravolo. Pearl finished fourth with Coby placing fifth.
The NEMA Midgets opened their 60th anniversary season with Paul Scally
claiming the early lead. Zych raced his way by Scally on lap-5 to take
control of the race and moved out to a big lead. Scally’s good run came
to an end several laps later when mechanical failure set in from second
position, putting fluid down on the track in turns one and two. The
liquid collected Barry Kittredge and Lee Bundy in the incident.
Zych got away from the field back under the green flag. Perennial
contender Randy Cabral moved to second position before the second and
final caution period waved for a spin in turn four. The interruption
could not slow Zych’s pace, who raced comfortably ahead of Cabral and Russ
Stoehr over the final half of the race. Zych picked up his first career
NEMA Midget victory in dominating fashion. Behind him, Cabral, Stoehr,
Joey Payne Jr. and Anthony Marvuglio completed the top-five. Zych’s quick
lap was a blistering 13.003 second lap.
The Bob Valenti Auto Mall Late Model division began its season with a
50-lap feature race. Rocco started on the outside pole and rocketed his
way to the race lead ahead of Rich Staskowski from the get go. Those two
checked out from an early battle for the top-five among Joe Curioso,
Travis Stearns, Jeff Smith and Jason Palmer among others. The first
caution finally came on lap-12 when Ed Gertsch Jr. spun in turn four.
Rocco was good on the restart but couldn’t shake Staskowski from his rear
bumper. Staskowski hung with Rocco over the middle portion of the race as
Palmer picked through the field on the move, racing his way into third
position. He was tracking down the two leaders distancing himself from
Curioso, who held fourth position solidly while Stearns was in fifth.
Ryan Morgan, Smith, Bruce Thomas Jr. and Dillon Moltz were all exchanging
top-ten positions behind the leaders throughout a long green-flag run.
Caution was back over the field on lap-38 when Bill Bernard spun in turn
four.
That proved the final restart, which Rocco mastered. He took the win, his
second on the day and second consecutive in the division dating back the
final race of 2011. Staskowski finished in second while Curioso, Morgan
and Moltz completed the top-five after Palmer faded late in the race.
The NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Street Stocks competed in a 30-lap
event that saw defending division champion Ed Puleo leading the way early.
Beal took over on lap-5, getting around Puleo looking poised to contend
for his first career victory in the division. As Beal stretched out to a
half-straightaway lead Walt Hovey advanced to second position and Chris
Meyer took third, dropping Puleo back to fourth. They ran in that order
past halfway before the first caution period was shown on lap-16 for Phil
Evans, who spun by himself on the front chute.
Following the restart, racing got rough and tumble in the Street Stocks
with plenty of full-fendered racing on display. Beal continued to lead
while Meyer moved to second ahead of Hovey and Puleo. Following a lap-19
restart, the intensity picked up even greater out front. Any lead Beal
once enjoyed was eliminated over the remaining laps. He hung tough to
complete his best run in the division to date. The former Wild ‘n Wacky
Wednesday Super X-Car track champion claimed his first career victory in
the Street Stocks. Beal bested Hovey, Meyer, Puleo and Shawn Monahan at
the checkered flag.
(continued)
62nd consecutive year of operation with Budweiser Blastoff Weekend.
Fourteen divisions were hosted over the three-day event, culminating with
Sunday’s Valenti Modified Racing Series feature, NEMA Midget race and
NASCAR Whelen All-American Series racing. Taking down victories on Sunday
included Jon McKennedy of Carlisle, MA in the 100-lap Valenti Modified
Racing Series event, driving for legendary Modified car owner Art Barry of
Preston. In NASCAR Whelen All-American Series action Keith Rocco of
Meriden doubled up, taking down wins in both the SK Modified® and Bob
Valenti Auto Mall Late Model division races. Charles Beal of Ledyard was
a first time Street Stock winner and Ken Cassidy Jr. of Lisbon won the
Mini Stock feature. Another first time winner found victory lane in the
NEMA Midget feature, as Louisville, KY driver John Zych was victorious.
Picking up wins in Saturday’s Blastoff main events included Paul French of
Andover, who won the evening’s NASCAR Whelen All-American Series SK Light
Modified race, Ryan Bigelow of East Hampton who found Victory Lane in the
NEMA Light touring series race, and Corey Coates of Ledyard who won in the
visiting New England Truck Series. In INEX racing, Dave Garbo Jr. of
Stonington claimed the win in the opening day Legends Cars feature and
Jacob Urch in the afternoon’s Bandolero race. Other winners included Jon
Porter of Canterbury in Super X-Cars, Chris Garside of Waterford in X-Cars
and James Logan of Dighton, MA in the New England Four Cylinder Pro Stock
tour event.
Tom Abele Jr. and Todd Ceravolo led a strong 24-car field to green for a
great opening 62-lap NASCAR Whelen All-American Series SK Modified®
feature. Both of the Speedbowl’s racing grooves were in top form Sunday,
providing fans for exciting racing among the leaders from the beginning.
Abele and Ceravolo fought neck-and-neck for early command of the race,
with Abele ahead by a nose. As the field worked lap-3 division newcomer
Rich Brooks spun in turn two, collecting Nichole Morgillo and sending her
to the pit area with left front damage.
When racing went back to green, Ceravolo was able to wrestle the lead from
Abele using the Speedbowl’s very capable outside groove. A multi-car
incident a lap later found Jeff Rocco, Harry Rheaume and Brooks out of
shape for the second caution period.
Ceravolo moved cleanly out front on the restart, bringing Rocco into the
picture behind him to second. Diego Monahan settled in third ahead of
Abele, who was able to tuck back in line in fourth position. Caution was
back out on lap-5 when Dave Salzarulo spun off turn four, starting a chain
reaction that sent Al Stone III hard into the turn one wall. Doug Coby,
Will Schneider and Brooks also went to the pits with damage from the
incident with only Coby able to resume.
Ceravolo and Rocco picked up the intense battle for the lead when racing
resumed, with Rocco pestering the back of the race leader looking in both
the high and low racing grooves. Monahan rested comfortably in third with
Rowan Pennink holding fourth position. Rob Janovic advanced to the
top-five as the race hit lap-12 and began pressuring Pennink, who was
losing ground behind the top-three.
As the leaders raced to turn one on lap-15, Rocco made a bold move inside
Ceravolo to muscle alongside. As the pair exited turn two, Rocco edged
ahead and Ceravolo tucked in behind. The field raced to lap-18 when
contact just outside the top-five sent Abele around between turns one and
two, collecting Kyle James and Randy Churchill, eliminating all three from
competition. Pennink pitted for adjustments as the cleanup occurred,
relinquishing fourth position to Janovic. Tyler Chadwick lined up fifth
for the restart.
Rocco resumed his lead with the green back out, leaving Ceravolo to tussle
with Monahan. Ceravolo fought off the challenge and picked up his pursuit
of Rocco. Janovic and Chadwick held down the top-five under an extended
run of racing. Coby was rebounding from his early trouble, racing into
the back half of the top-ten by halfway. The running order remained the
same through lap-36 when Monahan’s top run met adversity, spinning from
third position out of turn four while trying to work over Ceravolo.
Rocco, Ceravolo and Janovic continued to occupy the top-three spots
following the quick caution. Jeff Pearl quietly raced to the top-five and
then got by Chadwick into fourth during the next green flag run. Chadwick
helf fifth ahead of Coby, who was up to sixth position.
Janovic capitalized on a miscue by Ceravolo entering turn one on lap-49.
He darted to Ceravolo’s inside through the turn to claim second position.
Pearl looked hungry to snatch third away from Ceravolo, who shut the door
on Pearl’s bid off turn two. Jeff Gallup slowed that great racing when he
spun from the tail of the top-ten on lap-50 to bring out caution.
Rocco restarted strong over two final attempts, the final coming on lap-57
after Justin Strumpf took a trip into the back stretch wall. Janovic and
Ceravolo battled for second over the remaining laps with Janovic coming
out on top. He stayed glued to Rocco’s bumper to the checkered flag, but
was unable to mount a serious challenge for the win. Rocco took his 37th
career win in the division, vaulting him to second all-time in the
division behind seven-time champion Dennis Gada. Janovic took second
ahead of Ceravolo. Pearl finished fourth with Coby placing fifth.
The NEMA Midgets opened their 60th anniversary season with Paul Scally
claiming the early lead. Zych raced his way by Scally on lap-5 to take
control of the race and moved out to a big lead. Scally’s good run came
to an end several laps later when mechanical failure set in from second
position, putting fluid down on the track in turns one and two. The
liquid collected Barry Kittredge and Lee Bundy in the incident.
Zych got away from the field back under the green flag. Perennial
contender Randy Cabral moved to second position before the second and
final caution period waved for a spin in turn four. The interruption
could not slow Zych’s pace, who raced comfortably ahead of Cabral and Russ
Stoehr over the final half of the race. Zych picked up his first career
NEMA Midget victory in dominating fashion. Behind him, Cabral, Stoehr,
Joey Payne Jr. and Anthony Marvuglio completed the top-five. Zych’s quick
lap was a blistering 13.003 second lap.
The Bob Valenti Auto Mall Late Model division began its season with a
50-lap feature race. Rocco started on the outside pole and rocketed his
way to the race lead ahead of Rich Staskowski from the get go. Those two
checked out from an early battle for the top-five among Joe Curioso,
Travis Stearns, Jeff Smith and Jason Palmer among others. The first
caution finally came on lap-12 when Ed Gertsch Jr. spun in turn four.
Rocco was good on the restart but couldn’t shake Staskowski from his rear
bumper. Staskowski hung with Rocco over the middle portion of the race as
Palmer picked through the field on the move, racing his way into third
position. He was tracking down the two leaders distancing himself from
Curioso, who held fourth position solidly while Stearns was in fifth.
Ryan Morgan, Smith, Bruce Thomas Jr. and Dillon Moltz were all exchanging
top-ten positions behind the leaders throughout a long green-flag run.
Caution was back over the field on lap-38 when Bill Bernard spun in turn
four.
That proved the final restart, which Rocco mastered. He took the win, his
second on the day and second consecutive in the division dating back the
final race of 2011. Staskowski finished in second while Curioso, Morgan
and Moltz completed the top-five after Palmer faded late in the race.
The NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Street Stocks competed in a 30-lap
event that saw defending division champion Ed Puleo leading the way early.
Beal took over on lap-5, getting around Puleo looking poised to contend
for his first career victory in the division. As Beal stretched out to a
half-straightaway lead Walt Hovey advanced to second position and Chris
Meyer took third, dropping Puleo back to fourth. They ran in that order
past halfway before the first caution period was shown on lap-16 for Phil
Evans, who spun by himself on the front chute.
Following the restart, racing got rough and tumble in the Street Stocks
with plenty of full-fendered racing on display. Beal continued to lead
while Meyer moved to second ahead of Hovey and Puleo. Following a lap-19
restart, the intensity picked up even greater out front. Any lead Beal
once enjoyed was eliminated over the remaining laps. He hung tough to
complete his best run in the division to date. The former Wild ‘n Wacky
Wednesday Super X-Car track champion claimed his first career victory in
the Street Stocks. Beal bested Hovey, Meyer, Puleo and Shawn Monahan at
the checkered flag.
(continued)