RGeeProductions
05-05-2013, 10:55 AM
Waterford Speedbowl staged another round of
NASCAR Whelen All-American Series racing Saturday night under seasonable
weather. Taking home victories on the night included Keith Rocco of
Meriden, winner of a rough and tumble SK Modified® race and Cam McDermott
of Scituate, RI in the evening’s SK Light Modified race. Chris Meyer of
North Franklin won a special 50-lap Street Stock feature, his first of the
year. Garrett Denton of Hope Valley, RI continued his hot start to the
season in the Mini Stock division, taking his third win in five races,
while Dylan Izzo of Westport won his second INEX Legend Cars race of the
season.
A touching opening ceremony kicked off the night. Steve Barrett of
Preston was surprised with a brand new Street Stock racecar in a heartfelt
presentation by several members of the racing community. Barrett, a
member of the National Guard’s 1109th TASMG unit based in Groton, had just
returned from ten months active duty overseas. During his deployment a
group around the track organized a cause, “Racers for a Soldier”, taking
donations to help build Barrett the car presented on Saturday. The effort
was spearheaded by Jeff Winsor of Moosup. Barrett destroyed his racecar
beyond repair in early 2012 prior to his deployment. He has competed at
the track for the past several seasons.
The NASCAR Whelen All-American Series SK Modified® division turned in a
wild performance, culminating in nine caution flags including one red
flag. Their feature began with Tyler Jackson claiming the lead on lap-1.
Coming out of turn four, defending champion Tyler Chadwick slid into the
infield coming to rest to draw the first of the caution flags.
Jeff Gallup took over from Jackson following the restart, riding the
outside groove into the race lead on lap-3. Ed Puleo and Todd Ceravolo
spun in tandem in turn two battling just outside the top-five before the
next lap was complete to create the next caution period. On the restart
attempt, Nichole Morgillo was sent off track into the infield, coming to
rest in turn one while Jackson spun from second position in turn four.
Both restarted from the rear after a trip to the pit area.
Gallup led Brett Gonyaw after the lap-3 headaches, however both Jeff and
Keith Rocco were on the move. They took over second and third positions
behind Gallup by lap-8. Keith Rocco got the better of his twin brother on
lap-9 with an inside move in turn one. On lap-12 Rocco made a similar
move on Gallup into turn one to be scored the leader as they crossed the
start-finish line. After Keith Rocco scooted away, contact from Jeff
Rocco sent Gallup spinning into turn three the following lap, collecting
several others. Jeff Rocco was sent to the rear of the field for the
restart.
Now in the lead, Keith Rocco controlled the restart. The field was able
to log some laps with Diego Monahan and Craig Lutz moving into the top
three while several cars battled for position behind that including point
leader Ted Christopher. That cooled down on lap-21 when caution was out
when Jackson spun off turn two, collecting Corey Coates.
Rocco was again out front following the next restart. Only two more laps
were recorded before the cars of Chadwick and Justin Gaydosh found
eachother on the back chute, resulting in Chadwick off the track in turn
three and Gaydosh spinning in turn four. Caution was back out on lap-23.
Two more attempts to restart the race on lap-23 took place when the final
and most serious incident of the race occurred. Monahan and Lutz got
together racing for second position headed into turn one. The contact
reverberated backwards and more than half the field ended up collected in
a massive pileup, drawing the red flag. When the dust settled Adam Gada,
Tom Abele Jr., Rob Janovic Jr., Ed Puleo, Jeff Rocco and Jackson were
among the wrecked. Christopher, Morgillo and Joe Gada were able to resume
after pitting for repairs.
Following the accident the field raced through the checkered flag when
racing finally resumed. Lutz was able to get away from Monahan securely
into second and mounted a serious challenge on Rocco. He initially looked
high, however was able to find room underneath Rocco down the front chute
into turn one on lap-30. The leaders made contact and Rocco made a
stellar save at the front of the field. Lutz backed off to allow Rocco to
correct his car before diving back underneath him off turn two down the
back chute. Lutz temporarily grabbed the lead however Rocco regrouped,
getting to Lutz’s back bumper in turn three to counter. Rocco shot
underneath Lutz to re-take the top spot on lap-31.
Lutz continued to chase Rocco looking for any opportunity to make another
bid for the win. He was unable to get alongside Rocco, who went on to the
victory, his third on the year. Lutz took home second position with
Ceravolo coming back for third. Monahan and Chadwick completed the
top-five.
The NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Street Stocks took center stage in a
special 50-lap feature, double their normal distance. Dan Darnstaedt held
the pole position but it was Phil Evans who raced into the early lead.
The field settled in nicely for an opening run that brought the race to
lap-14 before caution waved when Darnstaedt and Ed Puleo spun in turn
three.
Following the restart Corey Hutchings moved to second behind Evans with
Meyer taking third position. Joe Arena held fourth with Josh Galvin fifth
as the laps clicked off. Another long green flag run was underway and
Evans stretched his advantage over Hutchings, who began to fade as the run
progressed. Meyer was able to get past Hutchings for second and set his
sights on Evans. Meyer caught the leader by lap-32, pulling alongside his
outside before finally being able to shake Evans on lap-38. Just as Meyer
had cleared Evans for the lead trouble broke out behind them as Monte
Gibbs blew a tire and spun into turn one on lap-39. After the restart,
Evans’ fine run ended on lap-43 when he crashed on the back chute
collecting Norm Root Jr. and Jack Aquilina, drawing the final yellow flag
of the race.
The final restart pitted Meyer against Hutchings. Hutchings was able to
stay glued to Meyer’s outside over the final seven lap sprint to the
finish. Hutchings actually led most of the final laps with Meyer tucked
to his inside. Hutchings was ahead by a bumper as the pair began the
white flag lap. Meyer was able to surge ahead down the back chute into
turn three for the final time, coming away with a hard-fought victory.
Hutchings took second with Ryan Waterman turning in an impressive third
place performance. Barrett competed the race in his brand new car,
placing 11th.
Denton trailed a torrid battle between leaders Ray Christian III and Wayne
Burroughs Jr. in the 25-lap NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Mini Stock
race. The lead two raced side-by-side swapping the position for nearly 20
laps as Denton patiently bided his time. Contact in turn three on lap-21
sent both Christian and Burroughs out of shape. As they gathered their
machines, Denton threaded his way between the two to take over the lead
and race on to the checkered flag. It was the sixteen-year old’s third
victory of the year.
(continued)
NASCAR Whelen All-American Series racing Saturday night under seasonable
weather. Taking home victories on the night included Keith Rocco of
Meriden, winner of a rough and tumble SK Modified® race and Cam McDermott
of Scituate, RI in the evening’s SK Light Modified race. Chris Meyer of
North Franklin won a special 50-lap Street Stock feature, his first of the
year. Garrett Denton of Hope Valley, RI continued his hot start to the
season in the Mini Stock division, taking his third win in five races,
while Dylan Izzo of Westport won his second INEX Legend Cars race of the
season.
A touching opening ceremony kicked off the night. Steve Barrett of
Preston was surprised with a brand new Street Stock racecar in a heartfelt
presentation by several members of the racing community. Barrett, a
member of the National Guard’s 1109th TASMG unit based in Groton, had just
returned from ten months active duty overseas. During his deployment a
group around the track organized a cause, “Racers for a Soldier”, taking
donations to help build Barrett the car presented on Saturday. The effort
was spearheaded by Jeff Winsor of Moosup. Barrett destroyed his racecar
beyond repair in early 2012 prior to his deployment. He has competed at
the track for the past several seasons.
The NASCAR Whelen All-American Series SK Modified® division turned in a
wild performance, culminating in nine caution flags including one red
flag. Their feature began with Tyler Jackson claiming the lead on lap-1.
Coming out of turn four, defending champion Tyler Chadwick slid into the
infield coming to rest to draw the first of the caution flags.
Jeff Gallup took over from Jackson following the restart, riding the
outside groove into the race lead on lap-3. Ed Puleo and Todd Ceravolo
spun in tandem in turn two battling just outside the top-five before the
next lap was complete to create the next caution period. On the restart
attempt, Nichole Morgillo was sent off track into the infield, coming to
rest in turn one while Jackson spun from second position in turn four.
Both restarted from the rear after a trip to the pit area.
Gallup led Brett Gonyaw after the lap-3 headaches, however both Jeff and
Keith Rocco were on the move. They took over second and third positions
behind Gallup by lap-8. Keith Rocco got the better of his twin brother on
lap-9 with an inside move in turn one. On lap-12 Rocco made a similar
move on Gallup into turn one to be scored the leader as they crossed the
start-finish line. After Keith Rocco scooted away, contact from Jeff
Rocco sent Gallup spinning into turn three the following lap, collecting
several others. Jeff Rocco was sent to the rear of the field for the
restart.
Now in the lead, Keith Rocco controlled the restart. The field was able
to log some laps with Diego Monahan and Craig Lutz moving into the top
three while several cars battled for position behind that including point
leader Ted Christopher. That cooled down on lap-21 when caution was out
when Jackson spun off turn two, collecting Corey Coates.
Rocco was again out front following the next restart. Only two more laps
were recorded before the cars of Chadwick and Justin Gaydosh found
eachother on the back chute, resulting in Chadwick off the track in turn
three and Gaydosh spinning in turn four. Caution was back out on lap-23.
Two more attempts to restart the race on lap-23 took place when the final
and most serious incident of the race occurred. Monahan and Lutz got
together racing for second position headed into turn one. The contact
reverberated backwards and more than half the field ended up collected in
a massive pileup, drawing the red flag. When the dust settled Adam Gada,
Tom Abele Jr., Rob Janovic Jr., Ed Puleo, Jeff Rocco and Jackson were
among the wrecked. Christopher, Morgillo and Joe Gada were able to resume
after pitting for repairs.
Following the accident the field raced through the checkered flag when
racing finally resumed. Lutz was able to get away from Monahan securely
into second and mounted a serious challenge on Rocco. He initially looked
high, however was able to find room underneath Rocco down the front chute
into turn one on lap-30. The leaders made contact and Rocco made a
stellar save at the front of the field. Lutz backed off to allow Rocco to
correct his car before diving back underneath him off turn two down the
back chute. Lutz temporarily grabbed the lead however Rocco regrouped,
getting to Lutz’s back bumper in turn three to counter. Rocco shot
underneath Lutz to re-take the top spot on lap-31.
Lutz continued to chase Rocco looking for any opportunity to make another
bid for the win. He was unable to get alongside Rocco, who went on to the
victory, his third on the year. Lutz took home second position with
Ceravolo coming back for third. Monahan and Chadwick completed the
top-five.
The NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Street Stocks took center stage in a
special 50-lap feature, double their normal distance. Dan Darnstaedt held
the pole position but it was Phil Evans who raced into the early lead.
The field settled in nicely for an opening run that brought the race to
lap-14 before caution waved when Darnstaedt and Ed Puleo spun in turn
three.
Following the restart Corey Hutchings moved to second behind Evans with
Meyer taking third position. Joe Arena held fourth with Josh Galvin fifth
as the laps clicked off. Another long green flag run was underway and
Evans stretched his advantage over Hutchings, who began to fade as the run
progressed. Meyer was able to get past Hutchings for second and set his
sights on Evans. Meyer caught the leader by lap-32, pulling alongside his
outside before finally being able to shake Evans on lap-38. Just as Meyer
had cleared Evans for the lead trouble broke out behind them as Monte
Gibbs blew a tire and spun into turn one on lap-39. After the restart,
Evans’ fine run ended on lap-43 when he crashed on the back chute
collecting Norm Root Jr. and Jack Aquilina, drawing the final yellow flag
of the race.
The final restart pitted Meyer against Hutchings. Hutchings was able to
stay glued to Meyer’s outside over the final seven lap sprint to the
finish. Hutchings actually led most of the final laps with Meyer tucked
to his inside. Hutchings was ahead by a bumper as the pair began the
white flag lap. Meyer was able to surge ahead down the back chute into
turn three for the final time, coming away with a hard-fought victory.
Hutchings took second with Ryan Waterman turning in an impressive third
place performance. Barrett competed the race in his brand new car,
placing 11th.
Denton trailed a torrid battle between leaders Ray Christian III and Wayne
Burroughs Jr. in the 25-lap NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Mini Stock
race. The lead two raced side-by-side swapping the position for nearly 20
laps as Denton patiently bided his time. Contact in turn three on lap-21
sent both Christian and Burroughs out of shape. As they gathered their
machines, Denton threaded his way between the two to take over the lead
and race on to the checkered flag. It was the sixteen-year old’s third
victory of the year.
(continued)