RGeeProductions
04-21-2013, 12:44 PM
Waterford Speedbowl was back in action Saturday evening hosting a night of NASCAR Whelen All-American Series racing. Two-time track champion Keith Rocco of Meriden was back in the winner’s circle, scoring an impressive win in the 35-lap SK Modified® main event. Old Lyme driver Jeff Smith won an absolute thriller in the Bob Valenti Auto Mall Late Models, Randy Churchill of Oakdale won his second SK Light Modified race of the year in as many tries and Allen Coates of Ledyard returned to the winner’s circle in the Street Stock division. Garrett Denton of Hope Valley, RI won his second Mini Stock feature race of 2013 and Brad Voglesong of Middletown rounded out the night’s winners in the X-Car division.
The 35-lap SK Modified® feature saw veteran racer Frank Mucciacciaro take the lead over Jeff Gallup from the pole position. The field survived contact further back in the pack down the back chute of the opening lap to settle in to complete lap-1. Gallup would eventually bobble exiting turn four causing Jeff Rocco to get out of shape and make contact, sending Gallup spinning into turn one to bring out the race’s first caution flag.
When racing resumed Mucciacciaro resumed his lead as Diego Monahan moved to second ahead of Brett Gonyaw, who was able to tuck into third position. Todd Ceravolo took fourth from Jeff Rocco, while further back Keith Rocco was able to snatch seventh from Ted Christopher as the field completed lap-8.
Green flag racing dominated as Mucciacciaro had Monahan glued to his rear bumper. The pair raced out to a comfortable margin over Gonyaw. The man on the move during the run was Keith Rocco, climbing to fifth position on lap-16. Rocco tracked down Ceravolo next and got past his outside into fourth place on lap-19. Gonyaw was his next victim, disposing of him on lap-20 to rise to third. Rocco had caught Monahan when the second caution waved on lap-23 as Justin Gaydosh spun in turn four from of the back half of the top ten.
Mucciacciaro got a good restart to get away as Monahan faltered in the outside lane. Keith Rocco scooted past Monahan into second bringing Ceravolo and Christopher past Monahan before he recovered. Rocco immediately tried to set Mucciacciaro up for an inside bid down the back chute as the field came to lap-24. The veteran fended off the move and powered back into the lead.
Rocco regrouped and made a challenge in the outside lane on lap-25 only to see Mucciacciaro get loose, chasing his car up the track. Rocco made contact with the front stretch wall and was forced to tuck in behind Mucciacciaro. He went back to work in the top groove and finally took command from Mucciacciaro on lap-27.
Once in front, Rocco began to distance himself from the field. Christopher was up to third position and was looking all over Mucciacciaro for second. Christopher found racing room outside of Mucciacciaro to take the spot on lap-31 just ahead of the final caution flag on lap-33 for Ed Puleo, who was stranded at the top of the track in turn one.
Christopher lined up outside Rocco for the restart. He got a good restart to stay even with Rocco down the frontstretch, however Rocco muscled ahead through turns one and two. Christopher was unable to stay with Rocco, who went on to his second victory of 2013. Christopher settled for second while Mucciacciaro finished an impressive performance to score third. Monahan was fourth and Kyle James took fifth position.
Smith won a classic duel over Dillon Moltz in the 30-lap Bob Valenti Auto Mall Late Model race. After a caution on lap-5, the pair ran side-by-side the rest of the way. The pair officially exchanged the lead 12 times over the 25-lap stretch with neither gaining any sizeable advantage. Behind the top two, Bruce Thomas Jr. and Rich Staskowski were also in close quarters.
The crowd was buzzing in appreciation of the hard short track racing on display at the front of the pack lap after lap. The barnburner came down to the final lap with Smith and Moltz taking the white flag together. Smith had a small lead headed to turn three with Thomas tucked in behind. Thomas and Moltz made contact in the final corner with both spinning out of contention. Smith streaked on to the checkered flag to seal the win in a hotly contested event. Staskowski wound up second and Jason Palmer rebounded from a lap-1 incident to finish third.
Churchill bested a spirited battle with Cam McDermott over the duration of the 25-lap SK Light Modified feature. McDermott led much of the race from the pole starting position however had Churchill on his tail the entire time. The two had a close encounter on lap-8 as contact sent both cars sideways in turn two with each able to continue on. Churchill continued to give chase until a yellow flag on lap-20 lined the pair up together for a restart. Churchill was able to edge into the lead and survived one final restart to hold back McDermott. Corey Barry ran near the leaders all race and finished third.
Coates won the 25-lap Street Stock race after a hard fought battle. He navigated his way to the front of the field by lap-19 with an outside move on leader Josh Galvin. From there he held off the competition to win his 82nd overall at the track, good for fourth all-time on the track’s win-list. It was his first in the Street Stock division since 1996.
Denton won his second Mini Stock feature in three events in 2013. The young driver tailed the division’s all-time winner Ken Cassidy Jr. from lap-10 through lap-22. Denton made a stellar move to get underneath Cassidy in turn one, taking over the lead on lap-23 and finishing off the win. Cassidy was second and Bill Leonard placed third.
Voglesong claimed the lead on lap-6 of the 20-lap X-Car race and survived the race’s lone caution flag with five laps remaining to take the win.
The Speedbowl returns to action next Saturday when the New England Truck Series joins another NASCAR Whelen All-American Series event.
Waterford Speedbowl Saturday 4/20 NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Results:
NASCAR Whelen All-American Series SK Modifieds® (35-laps): 1. Keith Rocco, Meriden; 2. Ted Christopher, Plainville; 3. Frank Mucciacciaro Jr., Milford; 4. Diego Monahan, Quaker Hill; 5. Kyle James, Ashaway, RI; 6. Todd Ceravolo, Gales Ferry; 7. Jeff Rocco, Wallingford; 8. Brett Gonyaw, Manchester; 9. Rob Janovic Jr., Waterford; 10. Tyler Chadwick, Ledyard; 11. Justin Gaydosh, Newtown; 12. Craig Lutz, Miller Place, NY; 13. Jeffrey Gallup, Agawam, MA; 14. Nichole Morgillo, Wallingford; 15. Corey Coates, Ledyard; 16. Joe Gada, Salem; 17. Ed Puleo, Branford; 18. Tom Abele Jr., Norwich; 19. Tyler Jackson, Milford; 20. Wendell Dailey, Gales Ferry; 21. Adam Gada, Bozrah; 22. Rich Duranti, Quaker Hill
NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Bob Valenti Auto Mall Late Models (30-laps): 1. Jeff Smith, Old Lyme; 2. Rich Staskowski, Hope Valley, RI; 3. Jason Palmer, Berlin; 4. Mike Sweeney Jr., Meriden; 5. Anthony Ryan Jr., Danbury; 6. Chris Garside, Waterford; 7. Dillon Moltz, Waterford; 8. Bruce Thomas Jr., Groton; 9. Vin Esposito, Seymour; 10. Keith Rocco, Meriden; 11. Ryan Morgan, Mystic; 12. Rich Duranti, Quaker Hill
NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Street Stocks (25-laps): 1. Allen Coates Sr., Ledyard; 2. Chris Meyer, North Franklin; 3. Al Stone, New Haven; 4. Joe Arena, Bristol; 5. Norm Root Jr., Old Saybrook; 6. Ted Dupre, Westbrook; 7. Ryan Waterman, Danielson; 8. Phil Evans, Uncasville; 9. Bill McNeil, Preston; 10. Dan Darnstaedt, Durham; 11. Tim Morse, Southbury; 12. William Hahnel, Salem; 13. Josh Galvin, Franklin; 14. Monte Gibbs, Killingworth; 15. Corey Hutchings, Salem; DNS – Ed Gertsch Jr., East Haven
NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Mini Stocks (25-laps): 1. Garrett Denton, Hope Valley, RI; 2. Ken Cassidy Jr., Lisbon; 3. Bill Leonard, Charlestown, RI; 4. Joe Godbout III, Hope Valley, RI; 5. Ian Brew, Wood River Junction, RI; 6. Doug Curry, Groton; 7. Jeffrey Lee, Uncasville; 8. Christopher Ivory, Oakdale; 9. Dale Sherman, Charlestown, RI; 10. Ray Christian III, Groton; 11. Wayne Burroughs Jr., Oakdale; 12. Charles Canfield, New Haven
NASCAR Whelen All-American Series SK Light Modifieds (25-laps): 1. Randy Churchill, Oakdale; 2. Cam McDermott, Scituate, RI; 3. Corey Barry, Plainfield; 4. Glenn Griswold, Vernon; 5. Alan Benincaso, Westport; 6. Travis Jurcik, Chaplin; 7. Jeff Fialkovich, Shelton; 8. Chris Ignazio, Colchester; DNS – Paul French, Andover
Saturday Showdown Series X-Cars (20-laps): 1. Brad Voglesong, Middletown; 2. Scott Limkemann, East Lyme; 3. Wayne Shifflett, Preston; 4. Zach Thomas, New London; 5. C.P. Burdick, Deep River; 6. Melissa Clavette, Bozrah; 7. Jeff Dombrowski, Oakdale; 8. Christopher Lee, Uncasville; 9. Dustin Gage, Clinton; 10. Chuck McDonald, Groton; 11. Frank Shepard, Bozrah; 12. Terry Bombard, Willimantic; 13. Kim Bickford, Griswold; 14. Jack Tibbens, Lisbon; 15. Matthew Ryan, N/A; 16. Kyle McPherson, Waterford; 17. Michael Marvin, Colchester; 18. Jordan Hadley, Quaker Hill; 19. Pete Zaikarite, Niantic
Brian Darling
The 35-lap SK Modified® feature saw veteran racer Frank Mucciacciaro take the lead over Jeff Gallup from the pole position. The field survived contact further back in the pack down the back chute of the opening lap to settle in to complete lap-1. Gallup would eventually bobble exiting turn four causing Jeff Rocco to get out of shape and make contact, sending Gallup spinning into turn one to bring out the race’s first caution flag.
When racing resumed Mucciacciaro resumed his lead as Diego Monahan moved to second ahead of Brett Gonyaw, who was able to tuck into third position. Todd Ceravolo took fourth from Jeff Rocco, while further back Keith Rocco was able to snatch seventh from Ted Christopher as the field completed lap-8.
Green flag racing dominated as Mucciacciaro had Monahan glued to his rear bumper. The pair raced out to a comfortable margin over Gonyaw. The man on the move during the run was Keith Rocco, climbing to fifth position on lap-16. Rocco tracked down Ceravolo next and got past his outside into fourth place on lap-19. Gonyaw was his next victim, disposing of him on lap-20 to rise to third. Rocco had caught Monahan when the second caution waved on lap-23 as Justin Gaydosh spun in turn four from of the back half of the top ten.
Mucciacciaro got a good restart to get away as Monahan faltered in the outside lane. Keith Rocco scooted past Monahan into second bringing Ceravolo and Christopher past Monahan before he recovered. Rocco immediately tried to set Mucciacciaro up for an inside bid down the back chute as the field came to lap-24. The veteran fended off the move and powered back into the lead.
Rocco regrouped and made a challenge in the outside lane on lap-25 only to see Mucciacciaro get loose, chasing his car up the track. Rocco made contact with the front stretch wall and was forced to tuck in behind Mucciacciaro. He went back to work in the top groove and finally took command from Mucciacciaro on lap-27.
Once in front, Rocco began to distance himself from the field. Christopher was up to third position and was looking all over Mucciacciaro for second. Christopher found racing room outside of Mucciacciaro to take the spot on lap-31 just ahead of the final caution flag on lap-33 for Ed Puleo, who was stranded at the top of the track in turn one.
Christopher lined up outside Rocco for the restart. He got a good restart to stay even with Rocco down the frontstretch, however Rocco muscled ahead through turns one and two. Christopher was unable to stay with Rocco, who went on to his second victory of 2013. Christopher settled for second while Mucciacciaro finished an impressive performance to score third. Monahan was fourth and Kyle James took fifth position.
Smith won a classic duel over Dillon Moltz in the 30-lap Bob Valenti Auto Mall Late Model race. After a caution on lap-5, the pair ran side-by-side the rest of the way. The pair officially exchanged the lead 12 times over the 25-lap stretch with neither gaining any sizeable advantage. Behind the top two, Bruce Thomas Jr. and Rich Staskowski were also in close quarters.
The crowd was buzzing in appreciation of the hard short track racing on display at the front of the pack lap after lap. The barnburner came down to the final lap with Smith and Moltz taking the white flag together. Smith had a small lead headed to turn three with Thomas tucked in behind. Thomas and Moltz made contact in the final corner with both spinning out of contention. Smith streaked on to the checkered flag to seal the win in a hotly contested event. Staskowski wound up second and Jason Palmer rebounded from a lap-1 incident to finish third.
Churchill bested a spirited battle with Cam McDermott over the duration of the 25-lap SK Light Modified feature. McDermott led much of the race from the pole starting position however had Churchill on his tail the entire time. The two had a close encounter on lap-8 as contact sent both cars sideways in turn two with each able to continue on. Churchill continued to give chase until a yellow flag on lap-20 lined the pair up together for a restart. Churchill was able to edge into the lead and survived one final restart to hold back McDermott. Corey Barry ran near the leaders all race and finished third.
Coates won the 25-lap Street Stock race after a hard fought battle. He navigated his way to the front of the field by lap-19 with an outside move on leader Josh Galvin. From there he held off the competition to win his 82nd overall at the track, good for fourth all-time on the track’s win-list. It was his first in the Street Stock division since 1996.
Denton won his second Mini Stock feature in three events in 2013. The young driver tailed the division’s all-time winner Ken Cassidy Jr. from lap-10 through lap-22. Denton made a stellar move to get underneath Cassidy in turn one, taking over the lead on lap-23 and finishing off the win. Cassidy was second and Bill Leonard placed third.
Voglesong claimed the lead on lap-6 of the 20-lap X-Car race and survived the race’s lone caution flag with five laps remaining to take the win.
The Speedbowl returns to action next Saturday when the New England Truck Series joins another NASCAR Whelen All-American Series event.
Waterford Speedbowl Saturday 4/20 NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Results:
NASCAR Whelen All-American Series SK Modifieds® (35-laps): 1. Keith Rocco, Meriden; 2. Ted Christopher, Plainville; 3. Frank Mucciacciaro Jr., Milford; 4. Diego Monahan, Quaker Hill; 5. Kyle James, Ashaway, RI; 6. Todd Ceravolo, Gales Ferry; 7. Jeff Rocco, Wallingford; 8. Brett Gonyaw, Manchester; 9. Rob Janovic Jr., Waterford; 10. Tyler Chadwick, Ledyard; 11. Justin Gaydosh, Newtown; 12. Craig Lutz, Miller Place, NY; 13. Jeffrey Gallup, Agawam, MA; 14. Nichole Morgillo, Wallingford; 15. Corey Coates, Ledyard; 16. Joe Gada, Salem; 17. Ed Puleo, Branford; 18. Tom Abele Jr., Norwich; 19. Tyler Jackson, Milford; 20. Wendell Dailey, Gales Ferry; 21. Adam Gada, Bozrah; 22. Rich Duranti, Quaker Hill
NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Bob Valenti Auto Mall Late Models (30-laps): 1. Jeff Smith, Old Lyme; 2. Rich Staskowski, Hope Valley, RI; 3. Jason Palmer, Berlin; 4. Mike Sweeney Jr., Meriden; 5. Anthony Ryan Jr., Danbury; 6. Chris Garside, Waterford; 7. Dillon Moltz, Waterford; 8. Bruce Thomas Jr., Groton; 9. Vin Esposito, Seymour; 10. Keith Rocco, Meriden; 11. Ryan Morgan, Mystic; 12. Rich Duranti, Quaker Hill
NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Street Stocks (25-laps): 1. Allen Coates Sr., Ledyard; 2. Chris Meyer, North Franklin; 3. Al Stone, New Haven; 4. Joe Arena, Bristol; 5. Norm Root Jr., Old Saybrook; 6. Ted Dupre, Westbrook; 7. Ryan Waterman, Danielson; 8. Phil Evans, Uncasville; 9. Bill McNeil, Preston; 10. Dan Darnstaedt, Durham; 11. Tim Morse, Southbury; 12. William Hahnel, Salem; 13. Josh Galvin, Franklin; 14. Monte Gibbs, Killingworth; 15. Corey Hutchings, Salem; DNS – Ed Gertsch Jr., East Haven
NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Mini Stocks (25-laps): 1. Garrett Denton, Hope Valley, RI; 2. Ken Cassidy Jr., Lisbon; 3. Bill Leonard, Charlestown, RI; 4. Joe Godbout III, Hope Valley, RI; 5. Ian Brew, Wood River Junction, RI; 6. Doug Curry, Groton; 7. Jeffrey Lee, Uncasville; 8. Christopher Ivory, Oakdale; 9. Dale Sherman, Charlestown, RI; 10. Ray Christian III, Groton; 11. Wayne Burroughs Jr., Oakdale; 12. Charles Canfield, New Haven
NASCAR Whelen All-American Series SK Light Modifieds (25-laps): 1. Randy Churchill, Oakdale; 2. Cam McDermott, Scituate, RI; 3. Corey Barry, Plainfield; 4. Glenn Griswold, Vernon; 5. Alan Benincaso, Westport; 6. Travis Jurcik, Chaplin; 7. Jeff Fialkovich, Shelton; 8. Chris Ignazio, Colchester; DNS – Paul French, Andover
Saturday Showdown Series X-Cars (20-laps): 1. Brad Voglesong, Middletown; 2. Scott Limkemann, East Lyme; 3. Wayne Shifflett, Preston; 4. Zach Thomas, New London; 5. C.P. Burdick, Deep River; 6. Melissa Clavette, Bozrah; 7. Jeff Dombrowski, Oakdale; 8. Christopher Lee, Uncasville; 9. Dustin Gage, Clinton; 10. Chuck McDonald, Groton; 11. Frank Shepard, Bozrah; 12. Terry Bombard, Willimantic; 13. Kim Bickford, Griswold; 14. Jack Tibbens, Lisbon; 15. Matthew Ryan, N/A; 16. Kyle McPherson, Waterford; 17. Michael Marvin, Colchester; 18. Jordan Hadley, Quaker Hill; 19. Pete Zaikarite, Niantic
Brian Darling