RGeeProductions
01-13-2013, 11:15 PM
Tyler Chadwick honored as 63rd Modified Track Champion;
Dillon Moltz, Walt Hovey, Ken Cassidy Jr. and Paul French join Chadwick as
NASCAR Whelen All-American Series titlists; Paul Kusheba, Jacob Urch, Dan
Butler and Wayne Shifflett other Saturday division champs
Waterford, CT (January 12, 2013) – Over 500 guests packed Groton Inn &
Suites Saturday evening to celebrate Waterford Speedbowl’s 2012 NASCAR
Whelen All-American Series and other Saturday series track champions.
Tyler Chadwick took home the hardware for his first career track
championship in the SK Modified® division. Joining Chadwick as first time
champions were Dillon Moltz, who won the Late Model division title and
Walt Hovey Jr., champion in the Street Stocks. Ken Cassidy Jr. and Paul
French each added a title to their racing resumes in the Mini Stock and SK
Light Modified divisions respectively, rounding out the Speedbowl’s NASCAR
Whelen All-American Series track champions. Paul Kusheba led the
Speedbowl’s other Saturday division titlists which included Dan Butler,
Wayne Shifflett and Jacob Urch.
In addition to the champions, a total of 70 race teams and drivers were
recognized Saturday evening for their achievements on the track during
2012. Special awards for the Top Rookie Driver, Sportsman of the Year,
Most Improved Driver and Pit Crew of the Year were named in the SK
Modifieds®, Bob Valenti Auto Mall Late Models, Street Stocks, Mini Stocks,
SK Light Modifieds and Legends Cars.
Chadwick, of Ledyard (CT), became the youngest SK Modified® champion in
Speedbowl history at 24 years of age. He bested Jeff Pearl of Salem in a
fight for the title that went down to the final event of the year.
Chadwick posted five victories on the year in 22 events. Consistent top
runs over the second half of the season put Chadwick in position to close
out the title run over the final weeks of competition. Jeff Chadwick,
Tyler’s father, was awarded the SK Modified® championship car owner
hardware. The elder Chadwick’s determination and support for his son’s
racing career has been the core of their success since Tyler was seven
years old, culminating in their first Speedbowl title. It was Chadwick’s
eighth full season competing in the division and he plans to defend his
championship in 2013.
Moltz joined the Bob Valenti Auto Mall Late Model division for 2012
driving for car owner Mark Cooper. The tandem proved to be potent from
the start, capturing wins in two of the first four races. Moltz, a
Waterford (CT) native, finished every event and rose to the top of the
standings early due to his hot start. He posted seven victories in 18
races on the year, leading the division. Moltz became one of the youngest
Speedbowl champions ever in a Saturday night division at just 21 years of
age. Last year’s Late Model champion Jeff Smith was also 21 years old
when he claimed the title. Plans call for Moltz and Cooper to team up
again for a championship run in the division in 2013.
Hovey, of Chaplin (CT), finished on top in the Street Stock division for
the first time in his racing career after coming close in previous
campaigns. The champion’s path was not without drama, however, as he
endured the rough and tumble division in addition to overcoming late
season mechanical hurdles. Hovey won a total of four races, including two
in the final three events to vault him to the division crown in a tight
battle among several teams. Hovey plans a limited assault on the Street
Stock division in 2013 as he focuses on his son’s youth racing efforts.
Cassidy accepted top honors in the Mini Stock division for the fourth
time. The title matches his championship efforts in 2007, 2008 and 2010.
Cassidy, a Lisbon (CT) native, dominated the division from the beginning
of the year winning nine of the first 10 races and 12 of 21 races overall
- a record in the division. The remarkable season earned Cassidy a
national championship in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Division IV
asphalt ranks and cemented a place in Speedbowl history as arguably the
most accomplished Mini Stock driver of all-time. Cassidy hopes to be a
major factor in the division again in 2013.
French, of Andover (CT), was the year’s only repeat champion. He
successfully defended his 2011 title in the SK Light Modified division.
In just its second season as part of the Saturday lineup, the division
competed on a limited basis. French was the most consistent competitor
over the nine-race season, winning twice. French has 2013 aspirations in
the SK Light Modified division at the Speedbowl.
The Saturday Legend Cars series was taken by Paul Kusheba of Monroe (CT).
Kusheba racked up nine podium finishes in 12 races on the season,
including one win. His quiet, yet steady front-running style buoyed his
championship run. He became the 12th different champion of the division
in 12 seasons.
The Bandolero, X-Car and Super X-Car divisions, attractions for the
Speedbowl’s mid-week Wild ‘n Wacky Wednesday series, competed in an
abbreviated “Saturday Showdown” Series. Claiming titles in their
respective divisions were Jacob Urch of West Suffield (CT) in the
Bandoleros, Wayne Shifflett of Preston (CT) in the X-Cars, and Dan Butler
of Waterford (CT) in the Super X-Cars. Brad Voglesong of Middletown (CT)
and Peter Pollard of Old Lyme (CT) were each recognized as Wacky Race
champions on the year.
Picking up hardware for Top Rookies included Ed Puleo of Branford (CT) in
the SK Modifieds®, who also won NASCAR’s Connecticut State Rookie of the
Year honor, Anthony Ryan Jr. of Danbury (CT) in the Late Models, and Tim
Morse of Southbury (CT) in the Street Stocks. Columbia (CT) driver Joseph
Fogarasi won the honor in the Mini Stocks, Corey Barry of Plainfield (CT)
for the SK Light Modifieds and Stephen Kopcik of Newtown (CT) in the
Legend Cars.
Sportsman of the Year Award winners went to Al Stone III of Durham (CT) in
the SK Modifieds®, Rich Staskowski of Hope Valley (RI) in the Late Models,
Joe Arena of Bristol (CT) in the Street Stocks and Jeff Cembruch of
Wallingford (CT) for the Mini Stocks. Also earning the award were Chris
Ignazio of Colchester (CT) in the SK Light Modifieds and Kyle Rogers of
Waterbury (CT) for the Legend Cars.
Taking home the Most Improved Driver honors included third generation
racer Joe Gada of Salem (CT) for the SK Modifieds®, Jason Palmer of Berlin
in the Late Models and Garrett Denton of Hope Valley (RI) for the Mini
Stock division. Tyler Jackson of Milford (CT) won the award in the SK
Light Modifieds and Nicholas Sowa of Middletown (CT) won it in the Legend
Cars. Arena was the recipient in the Street Stocks.
Pit Crew of the Year went to hometown drivers Rob Janovic Jr. and the
VoJan Motorsports team for the SK Modifieds®, and Moltz’s championship
team in the Late Models. The teams of Dan Darnstaedt in the Street Stocks
and Ray Christian III in the Mini Stocks took the honors, while French’s
SK Light Modified team and Dylan Izzo’s Legend Cars team were also
recognized.
The 2013 schedule was revealed to the attendees and will soon be available
online at www.Speedbowl.com or by contacting the track office.
Brian Darling
Dillon Moltz, Walt Hovey, Ken Cassidy Jr. and Paul French join Chadwick as
NASCAR Whelen All-American Series titlists; Paul Kusheba, Jacob Urch, Dan
Butler and Wayne Shifflett other Saturday division champs
Waterford, CT (January 12, 2013) – Over 500 guests packed Groton Inn &
Suites Saturday evening to celebrate Waterford Speedbowl’s 2012 NASCAR
Whelen All-American Series and other Saturday series track champions.
Tyler Chadwick took home the hardware for his first career track
championship in the SK Modified® division. Joining Chadwick as first time
champions were Dillon Moltz, who won the Late Model division title and
Walt Hovey Jr., champion in the Street Stocks. Ken Cassidy Jr. and Paul
French each added a title to their racing resumes in the Mini Stock and SK
Light Modified divisions respectively, rounding out the Speedbowl’s NASCAR
Whelen All-American Series track champions. Paul Kusheba led the
Speedbowl’s other Saturday division titlists which included Dan Butler,
Wayne Shifflett and Jacob Urch.
In addition to the champions, a total of 70 race teams and drivers were
recognized Saturday evening for their achievements on the track during
2012. Special awards for the Top Rookie Driver, Sportsman of the Year,
Most Improved Driver and Pit Crew of the Year were named in the SK
Modifieds®, Bob Valenti Auto Mall Late Models, Street Stocks, Mini Stocks,
SK Light Modifieds and Legends Cars.
Chadwick, of Ledyard (CT), became the youngest SK Modified® champion in
Speedbowl history at 24 years of age. He bested Jeff Pearl of Salem in a
fight for the title that went down to the final event of the year.
Chadwick posted five victories on the year in 22 events. Consistent top
runs over the second half of the season put Chadwick in position to close
out the title run over the final weeks of competition. Jeff Chadwick,
Tyler’s father, was awarded the SK Modified® championship car owner
hardware. The elder Chadwick’s determination and support for his son’s
racing career has been the core of their success since Tyler was seven
years old, culminating in their first Speedbowl title. It was Chadwick’s
eighth full season competing in the division and he plans to defend his
championship in 2013.
Moltz joined the Bob Valenti Auto Mall Late Model division for 2012
driving for car owner Mark Cooper. The tandem proved to be potent from
the start, capturing wins in two of the first four races. Moltz, a
Waterford (CT) native, finished every event and rose to the top of the
standings early due to his hot start. He posted seven victories in 18
races on the year, leading the division. Moltz became one of the youngest
Speedbowl champions ever in a Saturday night division at just 21 years of
age. Last year’s Late Model champion Jeff Smith was also 21 years old
when he claimed the title. Plans call for Moltz and Cooper to team up
again for a championship run in the division in 2013.
Hovey, of Chaplin (CT), finished on top in the Street Stock division for
the first time in his racing career after coming close in previous
campaigns. The champion’s path was not without drama, however, as he
endured the rough and tumble division in addition to overcoming late
season mechanical hurdles. Hovey won a total of four races, including two
in the final three events to vault him to the division crown in a tight
battle among several teams. Hovey plans a limited assault on the Street
Stock division in 2013 as he focuses on his son’s youth racing efforts.
Cassidy accepted top honors in the Mini Stock division for the fourth
time. The title matches his championship efforts in 2007, 2008 and 2010.
Cassidy, a Lisbon (CT) native, dominated the division from the beginning
of the year winning nine of the first 10 races and 12 of 21 races overall
- a record in the division. The remarkable season earned Cassidy a
national championship in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Division IV
asphalt ranks and cemented a place in Speedbowl history as arguably the
most accomplished Mini Stock driver of all-time. Cassidy hopes to be a
major factor in the division again in 2013.
French, of Andover (CT), was the year’s only repeat champion. He
successfully defended his 2011 title in the SK Light Modified division.
In just its second season as part of the Saturday lineup, the division
competed on a limited basis. French was the most consistent competitor
over the nine-race season, winning twice. French has 2013 aspirations in
the SK Light Modified division at the Speedbowl.
The Saturday Legend Cars series was taken by Paul Kusheba of Monroe (CT).
Kusheba racked up nine podium finishes in 12 races on the season,
including one win. His quiet, yet steady front-running style buoyed his
championship run. He became the 12th different champion of the division
in 12 seasons.
The Bandolero, X-Car and Super X-Car divisions, attractions for the
Speedbowl’s mid-week Wild ‘n Wacky Wednesday series, competed in an
abbreviated “Saturday Showdown” Series. Claiming titles in their
respective divisions were Jacob Urch of West Suffield (CT) in the
Bandoleros, Wayne Shifflett of Preston (CT) in the X-Cars, and Dan Butler
of Waterford (CT) in the Super X-Cars. Brad Voglesong of Middletown (CT)
and Peter Pollard of Old Lyme (CT) were each recognized as Wacky Race
champions on the year.
Picking up hardware for Top Rookies included Ed Puleo of Branford (CT) in
the SK Modifieds®, who also won NASCAR’s Connecticut State Rookie of the
Year honor, Anthony Ryan Jr. of Danbury (CT) in the Late Models, and Tim
Morse of Southbury (CT) in the Street Stocks. Columbia (CT) driver Joseph
Fogarasi won the honor in the Mini Stocks, Corey Barry of Plainfield (CT)
for the SK Light Modifieds and Stephen Kopcik of Newtown (CT) in the
Legend Cars.
Sportsman of the Year Award winners went to Al Stone III of Durham (CT) in
the SK Modifieds®, Rich Staskowski of Hope Valley (RI) in the Late Models,
Joe Arena of Bristol (CT) in the Street Stocks and Jeff Cembruch of
Wallingford (CT) for the Mini Stocks. Also earning the award were Chris
Ignazio of Colchester (CT) in the SK Light Modifieds and Kyle Rogers of
Waterbury (CT) for the Legend Cars.
Taking home the Most Improved Driver honors included third generation
racer Joe Gada of Salem (CT) for the SK Modifieds®, Jason Palmer of Berlin
in the Late Models and Garrett Denton of Hope Valley (RI) for the Mini
Stock division. Tyler Jackson of Milford (CT) won the award in the SK
Light Modifieds and Nicholas Sowa of Middletown (CT) won it in the Legend
Cars. Arena was the recipient in the Street Stocks.
Pit Crew of the Year went to hometown drivers Rob Janovic Jr. and the
VoJan Motorsports team for the SK Modifieds®, and Moltz’s championship
team in the Late Models. The teams of Dan Darnstaedt in the Street Stocks
and Ray Christian III in the Mini Stocks took the honors, while French’s
SK Light Modified team and Dylan Izzo’s Legend Cars team were also
recognized.
The 2013 schedule was revealed to the attendees and will soon be available
online at www.Speedbowl.com or by contacting the track office.
Brian Darling