RGeeProductions
06-22-2014, 08:43 AM
Waterford Speedbowl hosted a jam packed
crowd for its Mr. Rooter 161 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour event under ideal
summer weather. The track’s NASCAR Whelen All-American Series divisions
supported the regional touring race with four action packed races. Ed
Puleo of Branford picked up his second SK Modified® win of the season and
Bruce Thomas Jr. of Groton landed his second Valenti Auto Mall Late Model
feature win of 2014. Bill McNeil of Preston took his first Street Stock
victory and Groton’s Ray Christian III won the Mini Stocks.
Puleo was in a hurry in the night’s 35-lap SK Modified® feature. He
started the race in second position, outside Jeff Gallup. Gallup fought
Puleo hard as the race began, with the pair trading the lead over the
opening two circuits. Gallup spun off the inside of Puleo in turn four
trying to remain in the battle for the lead as they raced to complete
lap-3, collecting Joe Gada. Somehow those were the only two cars
seriously involved and both returned to the race after a visit to the pit
area.
Puleo inherited the lead for the ensuing restart, bringing Tim Jordan with
him to second when back under the green flag. Kyle James moved into third
and Ted Christopher to fourth as the race reached lap-10. James was all
over Jordan as Puleo stretched his lead. James got around Jordan on
lap-10, but when Christopher tried to duplicate the move he had to make a
nice save out of turn two, dropping back to fifth. The chain reaction
collected Paul Kusheba, whose car was in distress on the front stretch
with 12 laps scored complete for the next yellow flag.
Puleo resumed his lead and pulled away again as Jordan and Christopher
both got by the inside of James by lap-15. Keith Rocco was up to fifth
position looking to carry that momentum even further into the lead cars.
Some great racing by the top-five was slowed on lap-26 when Matt
Hirschman, making his first start of the year, got into the turn two wall
to bring out another caution.
Puleo had Christopher and Rocco each hot on his tail over the next two
restarts, which brought the race to lap-31. There was no shortage of
contact among the top three cars the rest of the way in a fight for the
win. Puleo had to fend off Rocco’s bid on the outside over the final four
laps to garner his second checkered flag of the year. Rocco was able to
hold back the advances of Christopher, who stayed in tight formation with
the side-by-side battle between Puleo and Rocco over the final sprint to
the finish. Behind Christopher, Craig Lutz and Rob Janovic Jr. completed
the top-five finishers.
Thomas picked up an exciting final lap victory in the 30-lap Valenti Auto
Mall Late Model feature. Vin Esposito was in control for the first 25
laps of the race, which ran without a caution flag. He took lead on the
opening lap from Anthony Ryan and stayed a comfortable distance ahead of
Keith Rocco as the green flag laps mounted. Once a yellow flag reset the
field when Jason Palmer came to rest against the wall in turn two,
Esposito had Rocco flanked to his outside. Esposito did not get a good
start, enabling Rocco to take over the lead through turns one and two.
Esposito charged back, rallying over the next three laps to run Rocco back
down. As the pair raced towards the white flag, Esposito got into Rocco
to make room to his inside and retake the lead as they began the final
lap. Thomas was in striking distance, and when Rocco returned the favor
to Esposito in turns one and two, he reaped the rewards of an opening to
the inside of both. Thomas streaked to the checkered flag ahead of
Esposito and Rocco, who finished in second and third in a wild finish.
McNeil made an infrequent appearance in the Street Stock division Saturday
and walked away a winner. Phil Evans moved out to a big lead early on in
the 25-lapper, as McNeil moved into contention after starting the race in
11th position. McNeil worked to second position and was catching Evans
when the only caution flag of the race was shown on lap-11, when Steve
Barrett was slow on the track in trouble. McNeil drove away from Evans
after the restart, cruising to his first win of the year. Point leader
Josh Galvin also came through the field to finish runner up, but could not
run down McNeil. Evans ended a strong showing in third.
Christian came out on top of a fantastic Mini Stock finish. He battled
Garrett Denton and Ken Cassidy Jr. over the final laps in a three car race
for the 25-lap win. The trio nearly went three wide down the front chute
on lap-22 for the lead. Denton was outside of Christian and actually led
the white flag lap by a nose with Cassidy tucked tightly behind in third.
Christian fought back on the bottom of the track, rallying over the final
half lap to best Denton by a half car with Cassidy assisting him on his
back bumper through the checkered flag.
Next Saturday, the Speedbowl returns to action with a six division NASCAR
Whelen All-American Series program. The SK Light Modifieds join the SK
Modifieds®, Valenti Auto Mall Late Models, Street Stocks and Mini Stocks.
The INEX Legend Cars also return for a Saturday night appearance. More
information on the event schedule is available online at Speedbowl.com.
NASCAR Whelen All-American Series SK Modifieds® (35-laps): 1. Ed Puleo,
Branford; 2. Keith Rocco, Berlin; 3. Ted Christopher, Plainville; 4.
Craig Lutz, Miller Place, NY; 5. Rob Janovic Jr., Waterford; 6. Kyle
James, Ashaway, RI; 7. Tim Jordan, Plainfield; 8. Diego Monahan, Quaker
Hill; 9. Nichole Morgillo, Southington; 10. Joe Gada, Salem; 11. Cam
McDermott, Scituate, RI; 12. Shawn Thibeault, Plainville; 13. Wendell
Dailey, Ledyard; 14. Adam Gada, Bozrah; 15. Ryan Preece, Berlin; 16.
Jim Larsen, East Hartland; 17. Matt Hirschman, Northampton, PA; 18. Tom
Pinson, Colchester; 19. Paul Kusheba IV, Monroe; 20. Shawn Monahan,
Waterford; 21. Joe Mucciacciaro, Wolcott; 22. Jeff Gallup, Agawam, MA
NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Valenti Auto Mall Late Models (30-laps):
1. Bruce Thomas Jr., Groton; 2. Vin Esposito, Seymour; 3. Keith Rocco,
Berlin; 4. Anthony Ryan Jr., Danbury; 5. Jeff Smith, Old Lyme; 6. Marc
Curtis, Spencer, MA; 7. Nicholas Sowa, Middletown; 8. Chris Garside,
Waterford; 9. Mike Sweeney Jr., Meriden; 10. Joe Gada, Salem; 11. Rich
Duranti, Quaker Hill; 12. Ken Morin Jr., Old Saybrook; 13. Jason Palmer,
Berlin
NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Street Stocks (25-laps): 1. Bill
McNeil, Preston; 2. Josh Galvin, Franklin; 3. Phil Evans, Uncasville;
4. Norm Root Jr., Old Saybrook; 5. Ryan Waterman, Danielson; 6. Monte
Gibbs, Higganum; 7. Chris Meyer, North Franklin; 8. Al Stone III,
Durham; 9. Greg Moran Jr., Preston; 10. Scott Sundeen, Sutton, MA; 11.
Dwayne Dorr, Ledyard; 12. Jake Bercham, West Greenwich, RI; 13. Brandon
Fisher, Plainfield; 14. Nate Appell, Westbrook; 15. Lloyd Anderson Jr.,
Wauregan; 16. Matt Lowinski-Loh, Milford, MA; 17. Bill Hahnel,
Uncasville; 18. Tom Shea, New London; 19. Steve Barrett, Preston; 20.
Jeff Jolly, Wallingford
NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Mini Stocks (25-laps): 1. Ray Christian
III, Groton; 2. Garrett Denton, Hope Valley, RI; 3. Ken Cassidy Jr.,
Lisbon; 4. Wayne Burroughs Jr., Oakdale; 5. Joe Liskiewicz, Preston; 6.
Christopher Ivory, Oakdale; 7. Dave Trudeau, Mansfield; 8. Nick
Pappacoda, North Branford; 9. Doug Curry, Groton; 10. Dale Sherman,
Charlestown, RI; 11. Larry Loomis Jr., Plainfield; 12. John Bowes,
Willington; 13. Jeffrey Lee, Uncasville; DNS – Pete Zaikarite, Niantic;
DNS – Ian Brew, Wood River Junction, RI
Brian Darling
crowd for its Mr. Rooter 161 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour event under ideal
summer weather. The track’s NASCAR Whelen All-American Series divisions
supported the regional touring race with four action packed races. Ed
Puleo of Branford picked up his second SK Modified® win of the season and
Bruce Thomas Jr. of Groton landed his second Valenti Auto Mall Late Model
feature win of 2014. Bill McNeil of Preston took his first Street Stock
victory and Groton’s Ray Christian III won the Mini Stocks.
Puleo was in a hurry in the night’s 35-lap SK Modified® feature. He
started the race in second position, outside Jeff Gallup. Gallup fought
Puleo hard as the race began, with the pair trading the lead over the
opening two circuits. Gallup spun off the inside of Puleo in turn four
trying to remain in the battle for the lead as they raced to complete
lap-3, collecting Joe Gada. Somehow those were the only two cars
seriously involved and both returned to the race after a visit to the pit
area.
Puleo inherited the lead for the ensuing restart, bringing Tim Jordan with
him to second when back under the green flag. Kyle James moved into third
and Ted Christopher to fourth as the race reached lap-10. James was all
over Jordan as Puleo stretched his lead. James got around Jordan on
lap-10, but when Christopher tried to duplicate the move he had to make a
nice save out of turn two, dropping back to fifth. The chain reaction
collected Paul Kusheba, whose car was in distress on the front stretch
with 12 laps scored complete for the next yellow flag.
Puleo resumed his lead and pulled away again as Jordan and Christopher
both got by the inside of James by lap-15. Keith Rocco was up to fifth
position looking to carry that momentum even further into the lead cars.
Some great racing by the top-five was slowed on lap-26 when Matt
Hirschman, making his first start of the year, got into the turn two wall
to bring out another caution.
Puleo had Christopher and Rocco each hot on his tail over the next two
restarts, which brought the race to lap-31. There was no shortage of
contact among the top three cars the rest of the way in a fight for the
win. Puleo had to fend off Rocco’s bid on the outside over the final four
laps to garner his second checkered flag of the year. Rocco was able to
hold back the advances of Christopher, who stayed in tight formation with
the side-by-side battle between Puleo and Rocco over the final sprint to
the finish. Behind Christopher, Craig Lutz and Rob Janovic Jr. completed
the top-five finishers.
Thomas picked up an exciting final lap victory in the 30-lap Valenti Auto
Mall Late Model feature. Vin Esposito was in control for the first 25
laps of the race, which ran without a caution flag. He took lead on the
opening lap from Anthony Ryan and stayed a comfortable distance ahead of
Keith Rocco as the green flag laps mounted. Once a yellow flag reset the
field when Jason Palmer came to rest against the wall in turn two,
Esposito had Rocco flanked to his outside. Esposito did not get a good
start, enabling Rocco to take over the lead through turns one and two.
Esposito charged back, rallying over the next three laps to run Rocco back
down. As the pair raced towards the white flag, Esposito got into Rocco
to make room to his inside and retake the lead as they began the final
lap. Thomas was in striking distance, and when Rocco returned the favor
to Esposito in turns one and two, he reaped the rewards of an opening to
the inside of both. Thomas streaked to the checkered flag ahead of
Esposito and Rocco, who finished in second and third in a wild finish.
McNeil made an infrequent appearance in the Street Stock division Saturday
and walked away a winner. Phil Evans moved out to a big lead early on in
the 25-lapper, as McNeil moved into contention after starting the race in
11th position. McNeil worked to second position and was catching Evans
when the only caution flag of the race was shown on lap-11, when Steve
Barrett was slow on the track in trouble. McNeil drove away from Evans
after the restart, cruising to his first win of the year. Point leader
Josh Galvin also came through the field to finish runner up, but could not
run down McNeil. Evans ended a strong showing in third.
Christian came out on top of a fantastic Mini Stock finish. He battled
Garrett Denton and Ken Cassidy Jr. over the final laps in a three car race
for the 25-lap win. The trio nearly went three wide down the front chute
on lap-22 for the lead. Denton was outside of Christian and actually led
the white flag lap by a nose with Cassidy tucked tightly behind in third.
Christian fought back on the bottom of the track, rallying over the final
half lap to best Denton by a half car with Cassidy assisting him on his
back bumper through the checkered flag.
Next Saturday, the Speedbowl returns to action with a six division NASCAR
Whelen All-American Series program. The SK Light Modifieds join the SK
Modifieds®, Valenti Auto Mall Late Models, Street Stocks and Mini Stocks.
The INEX Legend Cars also return for a Saturday night appearance. More
information on the event schedule is available online at Speedbowl.com.
NASCAR Whelen All-American Series SK Modifieds® (35-laps): 1. Ed Puleo,
Branford; 2. Keith Rocco, Berlin; 3. Ted Christopher, Plainville; 4.
Craig Lutz, Miller Place, NY; 5. Rob Janovic Jr., Waterford; 6. Kyle
James, Ashaway, RI; 7. Tim Jordan, Plainfield; 8. Diego Monahan, Quaker
Hill; 9. Nichole Morgillo, Southington; 10. Joe Gada, Salem; 11. Cam
McDermott, Scituate, RI; 12. Shawn Thibeault, Plainville; 13. Wendell
Dailey, Ledyard; 14. Adam Gada, Bozrah; 15. Ryan Preece, Berlin; 16.
Jim Larsen, East Hartland; 17. Matt Hirschman, Northampton, PA; 18. Tom
Pinson, Colchester; 19. Paul Kusheba IV, Monroe; 20. Shawn Monahan,
Waterford; 21. Joe Mucciacciaro, Wolcott; 22. Jeff Gallup, Agawam, MA
NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Valenti Auto Mall Late Models (30-laps):
1. Bruce Thomas Jr., Groton; 2. Vin Esposito, Seymour; 3. Keith Rocco,
Berlin; 4. Anthony Ryan Jr., Danbury; 5. Jeff Smith, Old Lyme; 6. Marc
Curtis, Spencer, MA; 7. Nicholas Sowa, Middletown; 8. Chris Garside,
Waterford; 9. Mike Sweeney Jr., Meriden; 10. Joe Gada, Salem; 11. Rich
Duranti, Quaker Hill; 12. Ken Morin Jr., Old Saybrook; 13. Jason Palmer,
Berlin
NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Street Stocks (25-laps): 1. Bill
McNeil, Preston; 2. Josh Galvin, Franklin; 3. Phil Evans, Uncasville;
4. Norm Root Jr., Old Saybrook; 5. Ryan Waterman, Danielson; 6. Monte
Gibbs, Higganum; 7. Chris Meyer, North Franklin; 8. Al Stone III,
Durham; 9. Greg Moran Jr., Preston; 10. Scott Sundeen, Sutton, MA; 11.
Dwayne Dorr, Ledyard; 12. Jake Bercham, West Greenwich, RI; 13. Brandon
Fisher, Plainfield; 14. Nate Appell, Westbrook; 15. Lloyd Anderson Jr.,
Wauregan; 16. Matt Lowinski-Loh, Milford, MA; 17. Bill Hahnel,
Uncasville; 18. Tom Shea, New London; 19. Steve Barrett, Preston; 20.
Jeff Jolly, Wallingford
NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Mini Stocks (25-laps): 1. Ray Christian
III, Groton; 2. Garrett Denton, Hope Valley, RI; 3. Ken Cassidy Jr.,
Lisbon; 4. Wayne Burroughs Jr., Oakdale; 5. Joe Liskiewicz, Preston; 6.
Christopher Ivory, Oakdale; 7. Dave Trudeau, Mansfield; 8. Nick
Pappacoda, North Branford; 9. Doug Curry, Groton; 10. Dale Sherman,
Charlestown, RI; 11. Larry Loomis Jr., Plainfield; 12. John Bowes,
Willington; 13. Jeffrey Lee, Uncasville; DNS – Pete Zaikarite, Niantic;
DNS – Ian Brew, Wood River Junction, RI
Brian Darling