RGeeProductions
04-06-2014, 10:33 PM
Waterford Speedbowl opened its 64th
consecutive season of racing Saturday evening with a seven division NASCAR
Whelen All-American Series program. Chilly weather greeted fans in
attendance but the action on the track was hot as a first-time winner
emerged in the SK Modified® ranks. Ed Puleo held off all challengers
including a late rally by defending division champion Keith Rocco. Puleo
made it two wins on the night by also picking up the Street Stock victory.
Rocco would not be outdone in the Valenti Auto Mall Late Models, scoring
the win. Another first-timer found the winner’s circle in the Mini Stocks
as Doug Curry took a popular victory. Jon Porter and Zach Thomas won the
night’s Super X-Car and X-Car divisions respectively, and defending Legend
Cars champion Dylan Izzo checkered that division’s opening race of the
year.
The 35-lap NASCAR Whelen All-American Series SK Modified® feature was
brought to the green flag by Puleo and Craig Lutz. The pair had some
opening jitters with two false starts delaying things before a clean third
attempt. The opening two laps pitted the two in a side-by-side battle with
Puleo able to seize command. Caution quickly flew on lap-2 when Rocco,
the defending track champion, went spinning down the front stretch from
his mid-pack starting position. Everyone narrowly avoided missing Rocco
including former Legend Cars standout and newcomer Paul Kusheba who spun
to avoid Rocco, kicking up moisture onto the racing surface in turn one
causing a clean-up.
Lutz got away from Puleo on the restart, using the outside lane as Puleo
tip-toed through speedi-dry left behind in the racing groove from the
caution period. Great racing was on display throughout the field over the
next four laps as competitors felt out their cars in the early going. Ted
Christopher was trying to march to the front using the outside lane,
however he got into the back chute wall on lap-7. The contact caused
enough damage to send Christopher spinning in turn four for the second
caution flag of the race and sidelined him for the night.
The ensuing restart saw several cars come together exiting turn four.
When the dust settled Kyle James had the most severe damage with his car
being towed from the speedway. Jeff Rocco, Frank Mucciacciaro Jr.,
Nichole Morgillo and Joe Gada were among those involved but able to
continue.
The action intensified when racing resumed. Puleo snatched the lead back
from Lutz in the outside lane. Ryan Preece was making magic happen
further back, rising from his sixteenth place starting position through
the top-five into third as the race neared halfway. Rocco rebounded from
his early spin to move into fourth and teamed up with Preece to run down
Puleo and Lutz, who had opened up some breathing room at the front.
Lutz kept the pressure on Puleo looking for a racing groove to mount a
challenge. That changed when Preece joined the frey, giving Lutz all he
could handle to hold on to second. Puleo crept back out to a two car
length advantage while Preece hounded Lutz. Just as Preece looked to have
figured out a way around Lutz, Jeff Rocco was stranded in the infield off
the back stretch to bring out the final yellow flag of the race on lap-18.
Puleo pulled away from Lutz on the restart, leaving him to contend with
Preece and Rocco in a three-car battle for second. Preece dipped
underneath Lutz, however the outside lane was the place to be and Lutz
fought off the bid. Once Lutz cleared Preece, Rocco followed suit and
jumped to the outside lane and pinched Preece on the low side, dropping
him to fourth by lap-21.
The top six cars singled out and ran nose to tail on the speedway setting
up a run that would take the race through the checkered flag. The top
three slowly pulled away for a three-car race for the win. Rocco turned
up the heat and finally found room to Lutz’s outside on lap-32, taking the
spot a lap later to stage a final charge for the win.
Rocco got a run to Puleo’s inside exiting turn four coming to the white
flag but couldn’t muster enough grip to make it stick. Puleo showed the
way through turns one and two with one final surge from Rocco in turn
three, to no avail. Puleo was strong in his first career SK Modified®
victory. Rocco rebounded from his early trouble to finish runner-up and
Lutz was at the front of the pack all night to round out the podium
finishers. Preece faded late in the race after his run to the front and
finished fourth, while Rob Janovic Jr. ran a smooth race to claim fifth.
Rocco turned the fast lap during his march to the front midway through the
race.
Rocco picked up where he left off in the Valenti Auto Mall Late Model
division one year ago. The defending division champion checkered the
30-lap NASCAR Whelen All-American Series feature after starting the race
in eleventh position, using the race’s only caution flag on lap-21 to
catch leader Vin Esposito. Esposito assumed control on the opening lap,
pulling ahead and holding the top spot until the lone yellow flag. Rocco
had already climbed to second position and lined up to the outside of
Esposito for the restart. Rocco used the outside of the track to power
ahead of Esposito and lead lap-22 and didn’t look back. Esposito held of
a charging Bruce Thomas Jr. on the final lap to finish second, with Thomas
settling for third.
Puleo doubled up the competition by taking the 25-lap NASCAR Whelen
All-American Series Street Stock feature. He benefited by a tangle
between leaders Josh Galvin and Al Stone late in the race. The two came
together in turn one on lap-20 battling for the race lead. Stone spun
around to draw the caution flag and Galvin was sent to the rear of the
field for the restart. Past track champion Norm Root Jr. was the new race
leader, however he had his hands full holding back Puleo, who eventually
flexed his muscle to take over. He closed out the win over the remaining
laps, his second of the night. Monte Gibbs finished second and Phil Evans
was third after Root went spinning in the closing stages.
Curry looked strong in the opening 25-lap NASCAR Whelen All-American
Series Mini Stock feature of 2014. He was patient behind an early battle
at the front among division stalwarts Ken Cassidy Jr., Sean Caron and Ray
Christian. Curry rose to the occasion, surpassing each before steaming
ahead of the competition to the first-ever victory. Charles Canfield
finished in second position and Joe Liskiewicz ended up third.
Izzo was up to the task in the night’s 25-lap INEX Legend Cars feature.
The defending division champion closed 2013 on a hot streak, one which
carried over the winter months into the start of 2014. Izzo won his heat
race earlier in the night and stretched his lead over the competition on
numerous occasions during the event. Izzo was never seriously threatened
en route to the win. Mike Christopher Jr. finished in the runner-up spot
after a late race battle for the spot with past champion Dana Dimatteo,
who completed the podium finishers.
The 20-lap X-Car race went down to the wire in a thrilling finish that saw
Thomas hold back a stiff challenge from Rich Nye. The race ran without a
caution flag following a false start at the initial green flag, with
Thomas wrestling the lead away in the early going. Nye slowly closed a
gap and was in striking distance over the closing laps. The pair deftly
worked lapped traffic over the final circuit with Nye unable to find room
to make a bid for the win in a close finish.
Porter dominated the 20-lap Super X-Car feature. Once he took the lead
early on, last year’s Saturday Showdown series champion in the division
pulled ahead and went on to the victory unchallenged. A spirited battle
behind Porter saw Ray Reed take second position at the finish. Dave
Yardley finished third.
The Speedbowl returns to action next weekend with the rescheduled Blastoff
Weekend. 13-divisons will take over the shoreline oval in a three-day
racing extravaganza. Friday’s open practice starts the weekend, followed
by all qualifying and seven feature events on Saturday. A Pit Party kicks
off Sunday’s festivities, highlighted by the season opener for the popular
Valenti Modified Racing Series. The event is presented by Budweiser.
Blastoff Weekend’s detailed event schedule is available at www.Speedbowl.com.
(continued)
consecutive season of racing Saturday evening with a seven division NASCAR
Whelen All-American Series program. Chilly weather greeted fans in
attendance but the action on the track was hot as a first-time winner
emerged in the SK Modified® ranks. Ed Puleo held off all challengers
including a late rally by defending division champion Keith Rocco. Puleo
made it two wins on the night by also picking up the Street Stock victory.
Rocco would not be outdone in the Valenti Auto Mall Late Models, scoring
the win. Another first-timer found the winner’s circle in the Mini Stocks
as Doug Curry took a popular victory. Jon Porter and Zach Thomas won the
night’s Super X-Car and X-Car divisions respectively, and defending Legend
Cars champion Dylan Izzo checkered that division’s opening race of the
year.
The 35-lap NASCAR Whelen All-American Series SK Modified® feature was
brought to the green flag by Puleo and Craig Lutz. The pair had some
opening jitters with two false starts delaying things before a clean third
attempt. The opening two laps pitted the two in a side-by-side battle with
Puleo able to seize command. Caution quickly flew on lap-2 when Rocco,
the defending track champion, went spinning down the front stretch from
his mid-pack starting position. Everyone narrowly avoided missing Rocco
including former Legend Cars standout and newcomer Paul Kusheba who spun
to avoid Rocco, kicking up moisture onto the racing surface in turn one
causing a clean-up.
Lutz got away from Puleo on the restart, using the outside lane as Puleo
tip-toed through speedi-dry left behind in the racing groove from the
caution period. Great racing was on display throughout the field over the
next four laps as competitors felt out their cars in the early going. Ted
Christopher was trying to march to the front using the outside lane,
however he got into the back chute wall on lap-7. The contact caused
enough damage to send Christopher spinning in turn four for the second
caution flag of the race and sidelined him for the night.
The ensuing restart saw several cars come together exiting turn four.
When the dust settled Kyle James had the most severe damage with his car
being towed from the speedway. Jeff Rocco, Frank Mucciacciaro Jr.,
Nichole Morgillo and Joe Gada were among those involved but able to
continue.
The action intensified when racing resumed. Puleo snatched the lead back
from Lutz in the outside lane. Ryan Preece was making magic happen
further back, rising from his sixteenth place starting position through
the top-five into third as the race neared halfway. Rocco rebounded from
his early spin to move into fourth and teamed up with Preece to run down
Puleo and Lutz, who had opened up some breathing room at the front.
Lutz kept the pressure on Puleo looking for a racing groove to mount a
challenge. That changed when Preece joined the frey, giving Lutz all he
could handle to hold on to second. Puleo crept back out to a two car
length advantage while Preece hounded Lutz. Just as Preece looked to have
figured out a way around Lutz, Jeff Rocco was stranded in the infield off
the back stretch to bring out the final yellow flag of the race on lap-18.
Puleo pulled away from Lutz on the restart, leaving him to contend with
Preece and Rocco in a three-car battle for second. Preece dipped
underneath Lutz, however the outside lane was the place to be and Lutz
fought off the bid. Once Lutz cleared Preece, Rocco followed suit and
jumped to the outside lane and pinched Preece on the low side, dropping
him to fourth by lap-21.
The top six cars singled out and ran nose to tail on the speedway setting
up a run that would take the race through the checkered flag. The top
three slowly pulled away for a three-car race for the win. Rocco turned
up the heat and finally found room to Lutz’s outside on lap-32, taking the
spot a lap later to stage a final charge for the win.
Rocco got a run to Puleo’s inside exiting turn four coming to the white
flag but couldn’t muster enough grip to make it stick. Puleo showed the
way through turns one and two with one final surge from Rocco in turn
three, to no avail. Puleo was strong in his first career SK Modified®
victory. Rocco rebounded from his early trouble to finish runner-up and
Lutz was at the front of the pack all night to round out the podium
finishers. Preece faded late in the race after his run to the front and
finished fourth, while Rob Janovic Jr. ran a smooth race to claim fifth.
Rocco turned the fast lap during his march to the front midway through the
race.
Rocco picked up where he left off in the Valenti Auto Mall Late Model
division one year ago. The defending division champion checkered the
30-lap NASCAR Whelen All-American Series feature after starting the race
in eleventh position, using the race’s only caution flag on lap-21 to
catch leader Vin Esposito. Esposito assumed control on the opening lap,
pulling ahead and holding the top spot until the lone yellow flag. Rocco
had already climbed to second position and lined up to the outside of
Esposito for the restart. Rocco used the outside of the track to power
ahead of Esposito and lead lap-22 and didn’t look back. Esposito held of
a charging Bruce Thomas Jr. on the final lap to finish second, with Thomas
settling for third.
Puleo doubled up the competition by taking the 25-lap NASCAR Whelen
All-American Series Street Stock feature. He benefited by a tangle
between leaders Josh Galvin and Al Stone late in the race. The two came
together in turn one on lap-20 battling for the race lead. Stone spun
around to draw the caution flag and Galvin was sent to the rear of the
field for the restart. Past track champion Norm Root Jr. was the new race
leader, however he had his hands full holding back Puleo, who eventually
flexed his muscle to take over. He closed out the win over the remaining
laps, his second of the night. Monte Gibbs finished second and Phil Evans
was third after Root went spinning in the closing stages.
Curry looked strong in the opening 25-lap NASCAR Whelen All-American
Series Mini Stock feature of 2014. He was patient behind an early battle
at the front among division stalwarts Ken Cassidy Jr., Sean Caron and Ray
Christian. Curry rose to the occasion, surpassing each before steaming
ahead of the competition to the first-ever victory. Charles Canfield
finished in second position and Joe Liskiewicz ended up third.
Izzo was up to the task in the night’s 25-lap INEX Legend Cars feature.
The defending division champion closed 2013 on a hot streak, one which
carried over the winter months into the start of 2014. Izzo won his heat
race earlier in the night and stretched his lead over the competition on
numerous occasions during the event. Izzo was never seriously threatened
en route to the win. Mike Christopher Jr. finished in the runner-up spot
after a late race battle for the spot with past champion Dana Dimatteo,
who completed the podium finishers.
The 20-lap X-Car race went down to the wire in a thrilling finish that saw
Thomas hold back a stiff challenge from Rich Nye. The race ran without a
caution flag following a false start at the initial green flag, with
Thomas wrestling the lead away in the early going. Nye slowly closed a
gap and was in striking distance over the closing laps. The pair deftly
worked lapped traffic over the final circuit with Nye unable to find room
to make a bid for the win in a close finish.
Porter dominated the 20-lap Super X-Car feature. Once he took the lead
early on, last year’s Saturday Showdown series champion in the division
pulled ahead and went on to the victory unchallenged. A spirited battle
behind Porter saw Ray Reed take second position at the finish. Dave
Yardley finished third.
The Speedbowl returns to action next weekend with the rescheduled Blastoff
Weekend. 13-divisons will take over the shoreline oval in a three-day
racing extravaganza. Friday’s open practice starts the weekend, followed
by all qualifying and seven feature events on Saturday. A Pit Party kicks
off Sunday’s festivities, highlighted by the season opener for the popular
Valenti Modified Racing Series. The event is presented by Budweiser.
Blastoff Weekend’s detailed event schedule is available at www.Speedbowl.com.
(continued)