RGeeProductions
09-02-2012, 10:45 AM
Waterford Speedbowl was in action on
Saturday of Labor Day weekend with its annual Thunder on the Sound event,
presented by The Connecticut National Guard. Mother Nature interfered
more than once, as rain soaked the racing surface on two separate
occasions. Nine events were scheduled for the program in total with five
feature races completed before rain began falling for the final time
during the 16th annual Budweiser Modified Nationals SK Modified® 150. The
remainder of the night’s races, including the SK-150, were postponed to
later dates.
Taking victories in the races completed included Todd Bertrand of Suffield
in a special tribute Northeastern Midget Association race. Keith Rocco of
Meriden scored a career first win in the NEMA Lite series after making his
first-ever start in the division. Cam McDermott of Scituate, RI took home
the checkered flag in a rain-shortened NASCAR Whelen All-American Series
SK Light Modified feature and in INEX racing action, Joe Mucciacciaro of
Wolcott landed his first career Speedbowl win in the Legend Cars and Ken
Morin Jr. of Old Saybrook was declared the winner of the Bandolero
feature.
Bertrand withstood stiff challenges from Randy Cabral during the 30-lap
NEMA Midget race, which was a tribute to Gene and Marilyn Angelillo,
long-time car owners and contributors to the division. Bertrand used the
fourth starting position to race his way into the lead on lap-5. He passed
Paul Scally, who led from the drop of the green flag. Cabral arrived in
second position behind Bertrand on lap-8, however Bertrand was able to
hold off Cabral in a quickly paced race. Bertrand got the jump over
Cabral on the final restart and kept him at bay until he was able to pull
back ahead. Cabral finished in second while Mike Horn finished third.
Angelillo-piloted cars claimed over 100 victories and 14 championships
over the years in NEMA. Each served the club in various roles, including
Gene as president and Marilyn as secretary for several seasons. Russ
Stoehr, racing in the famous Dumo’s Desire #45 entry fielded by the
Angelillo’s for years, finished fourth.
Rocco was a surprise winner in the 25-lap NEMA Lite feature. Christian
Briggs raced into the lead from the pole starting position, however it was
Rocco who made all the moves during the race. He started deep in the
field in 15th position and steadily climbed into contention over the
opening 10 laps of the race. Following a caution on lap-6, Rocco moved
into contention by racing into third behind leaders Briggs and Brandon Igo
on lap-7. A lap later, Rocco passed Igo for second position and began to
stalk Briggs, who continued to lead. He moved into the lead on lap-11,
then withstood three final caution periods over the final half of the
race. Rocco was making his first-ever start in the series and adapted
quickly, commenting how much “fun” the division was to race in. Ian
Cummens was able to take second position at the checkered flag, while Igo
hung on for third.
The NASCAR Whelen All-American Series SK Light Modified feature was
interrupted by rain on lap-17, forcing the field to the pits for cover.
During an extended rain delay the event was declared official, giving the
win to McDermott who was the leader at the time. Alan Benincaso led the
opening three laps before Tyler Jackson was able to take over through
turns one and two. Defending division Paul French was able to get to
Benincaso’s inside, moving to second position on lap-5. Once in the
outside lane, Benincaso dropped back as Corey Barry and McDermott moved in
to the top four on lap-6. Victoria Bergenty spun to bring out the first
caution flag a lap later, resuming from the rear of the field.
Once racing got back underway, the top four resumed their position and ran
in order until McDermott got to the inside of Barry for third position on
lap-10. McDermott continued to flex his muscle, by getting around the
outside of French for second on lap-14. McDermott immediately went on the
offensive on race leader Jackson, making an inside move on Jackson in turn
three a lap later to be scored as the new race leader on lap-15. Behind
McDermott, French tried to find room under Jackson as the pair entered
turn one. The two made the slightest of contact, with Jackson spinning
around in turn one to bring out the caution flag.
McDermott resumed his lead on the restart as French held second ahead of
Randy Churchill, making his first start of the season in the division.
Barry was in trouble on lap-17, sliding to a stop in turn two after
running among the top-five for most of the race. It was during the
caution for Barry when rains began to fall and the race was halted,
crediting McDermott with the win and French and Churchill rounding out the
podium.
The 20-lap Legend Cars feature was another entertaining affair for the
division which has staged great racing of late. First-year drivers Cory
Dimatteo and Nicholas Sowa led the field to the green flag, with Dimatteo
jumping into the race lead. Sowa tucked in line behind Dimatteo and
tailed the leader over the opening laps. Before long, Sowa was looking
for a way around Dimatteo while behind the top two Mucciacciaro was in a
pack of cars moving into contention that included Paul Kusheba and Dylan
Izzo. Mucciacciaro led that battle and moved up to second position when
he found room to Sowa’s inside off turn four on lap-4. Once in second,
Mucciacciaro made the move to Dimatteo’s inside entering turn three on
lap-5 to take over command of the race, which was run without a single
caution flag.
(continued)
Saturday of Labor Day weekend with its annual Thunder on the Sound event,
presented by The Connecticut National Guard. Mother Nature interfered
more than once, as rain soaked the racing surface on two separate
occasions. Nine events were scheduled for the program in total with five
feature races completed before rain began falling for the final time
during the 16th annual Budweiser Modified Nationals SK Modified® 150. The
remainder of the night’s races, including the SK-150, were postponed to
later dates.
Taking victories in the races completed included Todd Bertrand of Suffield
in a special tribute Northeastern Midget Association race. Keith Rocco of
Meriden scored a career first win in the NEMA Lite series after making his
first-ever start in the division. Cam McDermott of Scituate, RI took home
the checkered flag in a rain-shortened NASCAR Whelen All-American Series
SK Light Modified feature and in INEX racing action, Joe Mucciacciaro of
Wolcott landed his first career Speedbowl win in the Legend Cars and Ken
Morin Jr. of Old Saybrook was declared the winner of the Bandolero
feature.
Bertrand withstood stiff challenges from Randy Cabral during the 30-lap
NEMA Midget race, which was a tribute to Gene and Marilyn Angelillo,
long-time car owners and contributors to the division. Bertrand used the
fourth starting position to race his way into the lead on lap-5. He passed
Paul Scally, who led from the drop of the green flag. Cabral arrived in
second position behind Bertrand on lap-8, however Bertrand was able to
hold off Cabral in a quickly paced race. Bertrand got the jump over
Cabral on the final restart and kept him at bay until he was able to pull
back ahead. Cabral finished in second while Mike Horn finished third.
Angelillo-piloted cars claimed over 100 victories and 14 championships
over the years in NEMA. Each served the club in various roles, including
Gene as president and Marilyn as secretary for several seasons. Russ
Stoehr, racing in the famous Dumo’s Desire #45 entry fielded by the
Angelillo’s for years, finished fourth.
Rocco was a surprise winner in the 25-lap NEMA Lite feature. Christian
Briggs raced into the lead from the pole starting position, however it was
Rocco who made all the moves during the race. He started deep in the
field in 15th position and steadily climbed into contention over the
opening 10 laps of the race. Following a caution on lap-6, Rocco moved
into contention by racing into third behind leaders Briggs and Brandon Igo
on lap-7. A lap later, Rocco passed Igo for second position and began to
stalk Briggs, who continued to lead. He moved into the lead on lap-11,
then withstood three final caution periods over the final half of the
race. Rocco was making his first-ever start in the series and adapted
quickly, commenting how much “fun” the division was to race in. Ian
Cummens was able to take second position at the checkered flag, while Igo
hung on for third.
The NASCAR Whelen All-American Series SK Light Modified feature was
interrupted by rain on lap-17, forcing the field to the pits for cover.
During an extended rain delay the event was declared official, giving the
win to McDermott who was the leader at the time. Alan Benincaso led the
opening three laps before Tyler Jackson was able to take over through
turns one and two. Defending division Paul French was able to get to
Benincaso’s inside, moving to second position on lap-5. Once in the
outside lane, Benincaso dropped back as Corey Barry and McDermott moved in
to the top four on lap-6. Victoria Bergenty spun to bring out the first
caution flag a lap later, resuming from the rear of the field.
Once racing got back underway, the top four resumed their position and ran
in order until McDermott got to the inside of Barry for third position on
lap-10. McDermott continued to flex his muscle, by getting around the
outside of French for second on lap-14. McDermott immediately went on the
offensive on race leader Jackson, making an inside move on Jackson in turn
three a lap later to be scored as the new race leader on lap-15. Behind
McDermott, French tried to find room under Jackson as the pair entered
turn one. The two made the slightest of contact, with Jackson spinning
around in turn one to bring out the caution flag.
McDermott resumed his lead on the restart as French held second ahead of
Randy Churchill, making his first start of the season in the division.
Barry was in trouble on lap-17, sliding to a stop in turn two after
running among the top-five for most of the race. It was during the
caution for Barry when rains began to fall and the race was halted,
crediting McDermott with the win and French and Churchill rounding out the
podium.
The 20-lap Legend Cars feature was another entertaining affair for the
division which has staged great racing of late. First-year drivers Cory
Dimatteo and Nicholas Sowa led the field to the green flag, with Dimatteo
jumping into the race lead. Sowa tucked in line behind Dimatteo and
tailed the leader over the opening laps. Before long, Sowa was looking
for a way around Dimatteo while behind the top two Mucciacciaro was in a
pack of cars moving into contention that included Paul Kusheba and Dylan
Izzo. Mucciacciaro led that battle and moved up to second position when
he found room to Sowa’s inside off turn four on lap-4. Once in second,
Mucciacciaro made the move to Dimatteo’s inside entering turn three on
lap-5 to take over command of the race, which was run without a single
caution flag.
(continued)