RGeeProductions
10-23-2012, 07:26 PM
History on the line in SK Modified® championship battle at Speedbowl
Final event of 2012 on Saturday
Waterford Speedbowl is rich with
history over its 62-year existence. While many drivers hope to make their
mark in the record books each spring, few have the opportunity to do so
come the end of the racing season. This Saturday, history will be made in
the open-wheel SK Modified® division as a pair of drivers battle for the
championship in the final event of the year at the track. Modified
racing has been the headline attraction at the popular Connecticut
shoreline oval since its opening in 1951.
The season-long battle in the SK Modifieds® has come down to two
championship hopefuls, Tyler Chadwick of Ledyard and Jeff Pearl of Salem.
Each driver has a chance to add their name to Speedbowl lore in memorable
fashion. Chadwick would become the youngest SK Modified® champion in
history should he clinch the title, which would be the first of his
career. Pearl, the division’s champion back in 1998, could earn the
distinction of holding the longest span between titles across all
divisions in track history.
Chadwick, born in July of 1988, would best Dave Gada’s distinction as the
youngest champion in the SK Modified® era. Gada won the first of his two
titles in 1990, also at the age of 24, however Chadwick would achieve the
feat three months younger. Dave Gada is the older brother of 7-time SK
Modified® champion Dennis Gada, the all-time leader in division wins and
track championships, and father of current SK Modified® competitor Adam
Gada.
Pearl has been the steadiest driver in the division spanning the past
three decades. He’s won races in 18 of his 19 seasons competing in the
open-wheel ranks, including a total of 27 victories over the past 11
years. He looks to add a second championship to his achievements, 14
seasons after his first. Early Speedbowl star Dick Beauregard went 10
years between titles in 1952 and 1962 to currently hold the record. Tom
“Sid” Dimaggio, founder and statistician of “Sids Vault” history of the
Speedbowl, documented the facts surrounding the championship run on
Saturday.
Chadwick currently leads Pearl by 21-points. The division qualified for
its final race of the year, a 50-lap finale, back on October 6th before
rain postponed the race until this Saturday. Chadwick will start the
race 14th and Pearl 16th. Each had their fill of theatrics during twin
35-lap features back on September 22nd, the last time the division
competed.
The 50-lap SK Modified® feature is one of four NASCAR Whelen All-American
Series feature races on Saturday, joined by 50-lap races for the Bob
Valenti Auto Mall Late Model and Street Stock divisions. The Street Stock
track championship is also on the line Saturday. The Mini Stocks will
complete the final 28-laps of their 50-lap race, halted by the rain on
October 7th. Pit gates open at 12:00pm Saturday with the first of four
features starting at 3:00pm. Further details are available by visiting
Speedbowl.com.
Brian Darling
Final event of 2012 on Saturday
Waterford Speedbowl is rich with
history over its 62-year existence. While many drivers hope to make their
mark in the record books each spring, few have the opportunity to do so
come the end of the racing season. This Saturday, history will be made in
the open-wheel SK Modified® division as a pair of drivers battle for the
championship in the final event of the year at the track. Modified
racing has been the headline attraction at the popular Connecticut
shoreline oval since its opening in 1951.
The season-long battle in the SK Modifieds® has come down to two
championship hopefuls, Tyler Chadwick of Ledyard and Jeff Pearl of Salem.
Each driver has a chance to add their name to Speedbowl lore in memorable
fashion. Chadwick would become the youngest SK Modified® champion in
history should he clinch the title, which would be the first of his
career. Pearl, the division’s champion back in 1998, could earn the
distinction of holding the longest span between titles across all
divisions in track history.
Chadwick, born in July of 1988, would best Dave Gada’s distinction as the
youngest champion in the SK Modified® era. Gada won the first of his two
titles in 1990, also at the age of 24, however Chadwick would achieve the
feat three months younger. Dave Gada is the older brother of 7-time SK
Modified® champion Dennis Gada, the all-time leader in division wins and
track championships, and father of current SK Modified® competitor Adam
Gada.
Pearl has been the steadiest driver in the division spanning the past
three decades. He’s won races in 18 of his 19 seasons competing in the
open-wheel ranks, including a total of 27 victories over the past 11
years. He looks to add a second championship to his achievements, 14
seasons after his first. Early Speedbowl star Dick Beauregard went 10
years between titles in 1952 and 1962 to currently hold the record. Tom
“Sid” Dimaggio, founder and statistician of “Sids Vault” history of the
Speedbowl, documented the facts surrounding the championship run on
Saturday.
Chadwick currently leads Pearl by 21-points. The division qualified for
its final race of the year, a 50-lap finale, back on October 6th before
rain postponed the race until this Saturday. Chadwick will start the
race 14th and Pearl 16th. Each had their fill of theatrics during twin
35-lap features back on September 22nd, the last time the division
competed.
The 50-lap SK Modified® feature is one of four NASCAR Whelen All-American
Series feature races on Saturday, joined by 50-lap races for the Bob
Valenti Auto Mall Late Model and Street Stock divisions. The Street Stock
track championship is also on the line Saturday. The Mini Stocks will
complete the final 28-laps of their 50-lap race, halted by the rain on
October 7th. Pit gates open at 12:00pm Saturday with the first of four
features starting at 3:00pm. Further details are available by visiting
Speedbowl.com.
Brian Darling