RGeeProductions
09-18-2013, 06:06 PM
Waterford Speedbowl announced late
Tuesday it confirmed its 2013 Wild ‘n Wacky Wednesday series track
champions. Three first-time champions were named and another achieved a
place in track history with their third title overall. In total, six
champions were declared. Middletown’s Joey Ternullo became the youngest
Legend Cars champion in track history while Bill Reiman of Southington and
Anthony Marvin of Colchester each won their first championships in the
respective Super X-Car and Bandolero divisions. Brad Voglesong, also from
Middletown, took a third X-Car title to become the only driver to
accomplish the feat. Chuck McDonald of Groton and Peter Pollard of Old
Lyme were announced as champions of the wacky race series, a popular
Wednesday night attraction. Track officials awaited final technical
inspection procedures and a review of the point standings following the
final event, held last Wednesday evening, prior to confirming the
champions.
The 13th season for the popular series saw the Super X-Car, X-Car, and
Legend Car divisions race distances increased to 25-laps, up from 20-laps.
Each division also competed in an extra distance 30-lap during the
season. The Bandoleros had three nights where twin 20-lap features meant
double the action on the race track. Just one rainout slowed the action
all year long, back on May 8. In total, fans were dazzled by hotly
contested battles for 19 weeks where an astonishing 36 different drivers
tasted victory. The July 31 program saw the return of fireworks to the
Wild ‘n Wacky program, a big hit with everyone in attendance.
Ternullo was quietly consistent, overcoming adversity just before the
halfway point of the year. His season nearly turned into disaster when
his throttle stuck wide open in practice back on June 12, destroying his
car. Ternullo got assistance from Joey Mucciacciaro who loaned his #45
car that night plus the following week, keeping his season hopes alive
while the family repaired his familiar #10 car. One year removed from
achieving the 2012 Most Improved Driver award in the division, Ternullo
showed more progress, recording three victories and more consistency to
help him land in the points lead late in the season. Ternullo ended the
year with 11 top-five runs and 17 top-tens during the 19-race stretch.
His steady season put him comfortably atop the standings headed into the
final event, where he clinched the title by just coming out onto the
track. At just 14 years of age, Ternullo became the youngest Legend Cars
champion in the history of the Speedbowl. Seven different drivers visited
the winner’s circle during the series season, including a cameo appearance
and win by 2012 track champion Dave Garbo Jr on July 24. In addition to
Ternullo and Garbo, Angelo Belsito, Nicholas Sowa, Giovanni Giarratana,
Nick Ladyga and Stephen Kopcik all took down a checkered flag. Ternullo
bested Kopcik in the final tally. First year competitor Mike Christopher
Jr. improved steadily over the season and placed third in the standings
while Belsito and Sowa placed fourth and fifth in the final points.
The 2013 X-Car season was ultra-competitive. The top nine drivers in the
final standings all scored victories on the year, testament to how tough
the racing was week-to-week. Great car counts kept the action on the
track red hot and made for a tough championship road for Voglesong.
Despite the hurdles, Voglesong took four wins to lead the way. A season
long battle with several competitors sorted out to a two-man race headed
into the final event between Voglesong and first-year driver Zach Thomas.
In the end, Thomas came up just short as Voglesong proved a crafty
veteran competitor over the stretch run. Voglesong has competed for 12
seasons on Wednesday nights and announced his retirement from weekly
racing earlier in the season. His championship marks the third of his
X-Car career, the most of any competitor in the division. Joining
Voglesong in the winner’s circle this season included Zach Thomas, John
Bowes, Chris Thomas, Wayne Shifflett, Mitch Bombard, Larry Loomis Jr.,
Mike Trask and Randy Johnston. Thomas ended up just three points short in
the title run while Bowes, Bombard and Shifflett rounded out the top-five
in the season standings.
The Super X-Cars once again came down to the final race as the division
put five drivers in contention headed into the last event. A steady
turnout of cars each week made the racing tough as nails. Closer
competition and more race winners made 2013 a standout season for the
full-size class. Reiman trailed 2011 division champion Frank Alessio
headed into the final race, however Alessio met misfortunate on the
opening lap and was unable to return. Reiman cruised to the title, his
first in what turned out as a memorable season. Reiman claimed his first
victory at the track, improved his consistency and ended up as the
champion. In addition to Reiman, Victory Lane visits were made by
Alessio, Kevin Moon, John Yagmin, Mike Maskell, Dave Yardley, brothers Ed
and Ray Reed, Ed Ryan, R.J. Cunningham, Jon Porter and Matt Carlson during
the season. Reiman beat out Alessio, a consistent Ken Downing, Moon and
Yagmin in the final top-five in the point chase.
Marvin reclaimed the Bandolero championship for the boys after a
three-year stranglehold on the division by former female champions Taylor
Martin and Rachel Forte. Marvin, in just his first full season competing
in the division after joining halfway through 2012 when he turned the
minimum age, was a force. He nailed six wins on the season including the
final race of the year which lifted him to the title. Marvin trailed
Corey Comeroski headed into the last event but overcame the deficit with
one of his most clutch performances of the year. While the field was the
smallest of our Wednesday divisions, the action the youngest Speedbowl
racers produced was just as fine. Several enjoyed the taste of victory.
Besides Marvin, Comeroski, Alex McCollum, David French, Christian Eckes,
Ken Morin Jr., Jacob Perry and Jonathon Puleo were all winners in a very
wide-open field. Marvin was the most consistent however, landing 18
top-five finishes to lead the division in his 21 starts.
The 2013 season saw more Wacky Race action and soring top honors in the
respective X-Car and Super X-Car Wacky Race standings were Chuck McDonald
of Groton and Peter Pollard of Old Lyme. Popular events such as Musical
Cars and Flag Pole Race were joined by Hot Dog Eating races, Toll Booth
racing and the first ever Wacky Relay Race. McDonald and Pollard, both
veteran Wacky Race competitors, proved the most versatile and consistent
over the year to claim their respective titles.
Wednesday, September 18 the track will honor its track champions on
speedway grounds at the annual awards banquet. In addition to the track
champions, the top-five finishers in each division points will be
recognized. Special awards in each class will be presented to the top
rookie drivers, most improved, sportsmanship award recipients as well as
the top pit crews. Tickets are available for purchase at the door on
Wednesday at the Speedbowl, at the hospitality tent. Doors open at
5:15pm.
Brian Darling
Tuesday it confirmed its 2013 Wild ‘n Wacky Wednesday series track
champions. Three first-time champions were named and another achieved a
place in track history with their third title overall. In total, six
champions were declared. Middletown’s Joey Ternullo became the youngest
Legend Cars champion in track history while Bill Reiman of Southington and
Anthony Marvin of Colchester each won their first championships in the
respective Super X-Car and Bandolero divisions. Brad Voglesong, also from
Middletown, took a third X-Car title to become the only driver to
accomplish the feat. Chuck McDonald of Groton and Peter Pollard of Old
Lyme were announced as champions of the wacky race series, a popular
Wednesday night attraction. Track officials awaited final technical
inspection procedures and a review of the point standings following the
final event, held last Wednesday evening, prior to confirming the
champions.
The 13th season for the popular series saw the Super X-Car, X-Car, and
Legend Car divisions race distances increased to 25-laps, up from 20-laps.
Each division also competed in an extra distance 30-lap during the
season. The Bandoleros had three nights where twin 20-lap features meant
double the action on the race track. Just one rainout slowed the action
all year long, back on May 8. In total, fans were dazzled by hotly
contested battles for 19 weeks where an astonishing 36 different drivers
tasted victory. The July 31 program saw the return of fireworks to the
Wild ‘n Wacky program, a big hit with everyone in attendance.
Ternullo was quietly consistent, overcoming adversity just before the
halfway point of the year. His season nearly turned into disaster when
his throttle stuck wide open in practice back on June 12, destroying his
car. Ternullo got assistance from Joey Mucciacciaro who loaned his #45
car that night plus the following week, keeping his season hopes alive
while the family repaired his familiar #10 car. One year removed from
achieving the 2012 Most Improved Driver award in the division, Ternullo
showed more progress, recording three victories and more consistency to
help him land in the points lead late in the season. Ternullo ended the
year with 11 top-five runs and 17 top-tens during the 19-race stretch.
His steady season put him comfortably atop the standings headed into the
final event, where he clinched the title by just coming out onto the
track. At just 14 years of age, Ternullo became the youngest Legend Cars
champion in the history of the Speedbowl. Seven different drivers visited
the winner’s circle during the series season, including a cameo appearance
and win by 2012 track champion Dave Garbo Jr on July 24. In addition to
Ternullo and Garbo, Angelo Belsito, Nicholas Sowa, Giovanni Giarratana,
Nick Ladyga and Stephen Kopcik all took down a checkered flag. Ternullo
bested Kopcik in the final tally. First year competitor Mike Christopher
Jr. improved steadily over the season and placed third in the standings
while Belsito and Sowa placed fourth and fifth in the final points.
The 2013 X-Car season was ultra-competitive. The top nine drivers in the
final standings all scored victories on the year, testament to how tough
the racing was week-to-week. Great car counts kept the action on the
track red hot and made for a tough championship road for Voglesong.
Despite the hurdles, Voglesong took four wins to lead the way. A season
long battle with several competitors sorted out to a two-man race headed
into the final event between Voglesong and first-year driver Zach Thomas.
In the end, Thomas came up just short as Voglesong proved a crafty
veteran competitor over the stretch run. Voglesong has competed for 12
seasons on Wednesday nights and announced his retirement from weekly
racing earlier in the season. His championship marks the third of his
X-Car career, the most of any competitor in the division. Joining
Voglesong in the winner’s circle this season included Zach Thomas, John
Bowes, Chris Thomas, Wayne Shifflett, Mitch Bombard, Larry Loomis Jr.,
Mike Trask and Randy Johnston. Thomas ended up just three points short in
the title run while Bowes, Bombard and Shifflett rounded out the top-five
in the season standings.
The Super X-Cars once again came down to the final race as the division
put five drivers in contention headed into the last event. A steady
turnout of cars each week made the racing tough as nails. Closer
competition and more race winners made 2013 a standout season for the
full-size class. Reiman trailed 2011 division champion Frank Alessio
headed into the final race, however Alessio met misfortunate on the
opening lap and was unable to return. Reiman cruised to the title, his
first in what turned out as a memorable season. Reiman claimed his first
victory at the track, improved his consistency and ended up as the
champion. In addition to Reiman, Victory Lane visits were made by
Alessio, Kevin Moon, John Yagmin, Mike Maskell, Dave Yardley, brothers Ed
and Ray Reed, Ed Ryan, R.J. Cunningham, Jon Porter and Matt Carlson during
the season. Reiman beat out Alessio, a consistent Ken Downing, Moon and
Yagmin in the final top-five in the point chase.
Marvin reclaimed the Bandolero championship for the boys after a
three-year stranglehold on the division by former female champions Taylor
Martin and Rachel Forte. Marvin, in just his first full season competing
in the division after joining halfway through 2012 when he turned the
minimum age, was a force. He nailed six wins on the season including the
final race of the year which lifted him to the title. Marvin trailed
Corey Comeroski headed into the last event but overcame the deficit with
one of his most clutch performances of the year. While the field was the
smallest of our Wednesday divisions, the action the youngest Speedbowl
racers produced was just as fine. Several enjoyed the taste of victory.
Besides Marvin, Comeroski, Alex McCollum, David French, Christian Eckes,
Ken Morin Jr., Jacob Perry and Jonathon Puleo were all winners in a very
wide-open field. Marvin was the most consistent however, landing 18
top-five finishes to lead the division in his 21 starts.
The 2013 season saw more Wacky Race action and soring top honors in the
respective X-Car and Super X-Car Wacky Race standings were Chuck McDonald
of Groton and Peter Pollard of Old Lyme. Popular events such as Musical
Cars and Flag Pole Race were joined by Hot Dog Eating races, Toll Booth
racing and the first ever Wacky Relay Race. McDonald and Pollard, both
veteran Wacky Race competitors, proved the most versatile and consistent
over the year to claim their respective titles.
Wednesday, September 18 the track will honor its track champions on
speedway grounds at the annual awards banquet. In addition to the track
champions, the top-five finishers in each division points will be
recognized. Special awards in each class will be presented to the top
rookie drivers, most improved, sportsmanship award recipients as well as
the top pit crews. Tickets are available for purchase at the door on
Wednesday at the Speedbowl, at the hospitality tent. Doors open at
5:15pm.
Brian Darling