Waterford Speedbowl 5/5 NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Results
Waterford, CT (May 5, 2012) Waterford Speedbowl played host to a six-division race program Saturday evening as part of the shoreline ovals NASCAR Whelen All-American Series schedule. Picking up series wins on the night were Keith Rocco of Meriden, who grabbed his fourth victory of the season in the SK Modifieds® while Mike Caprio of New Haven won the nights extra-distance Street Stock feature. Other NASCAR Whelen All-American Series winners included Ken Cassidy Jr. of Lisbon, who won his fifth Mini Stock race out of six on the year and Corey Barry of Plainfield, who was named the winner in the SK Light Modified feature. Matt Pappa of Nassua, NY was the nights Legends Cars feature winner and hometown driver Dan Butler won another Super X-Car race.
Joe Perry led the SK Modified® field to the green flag for the 35-lap lap NASCAR Whelen All-American Series feature. Perry got away into the race lead and led a battle for the top spots over an opening seven lap run. Frank Mucciacciaro held second, however Jeff Rocco and Diego Monahan were in pursuit as they both got by Joe Gadas inside. Monahan tested Roccos outside for third, while Rocco pestered Mucciacciaro for second.
On lap-7 Monahan seized opportunity to dive inside Rocco in turn two and as the pair exited the turn, contact saw both make hard contact with the backstretch wall to bring out the caution flag. The incident triggered more contact further behind, with Keith Rocco and Ed Puleo among those drawing damage. Rocco stayed out, however Puleo joined Jeff Pearl pit side for repairs.
Perry got away from Mucciacciaro after the cleanup, bringing Kyle James into second position. Tyler Chadwick advanced to third, then raced outside James on lap-9 to take the spot. Chadwick was not satisfied with second and three laps later moved to Perrys outside in a bid for the lead. Chadwick completed the pass heading into turn one, just getting away from Perry when James made contact with him from behind. The contact sent Perry for a spin, clipping James in the process. Caution returned over the speedway with Chadwick scored as the leader.
Chadwick got a strong restart to lead the field into turn one. Keith Rocco restarted third and quickly moved into second, followed by Rob Janovic Jr. Chadwick pulled away from Rocco, who was getting pressure from Janovic for the second position. Janovic used the outside lane to get around Rocco on lap-17 and set sail for Chadwick. The third caution period came when Puleo spun in turn three on lap-19 collecting Jeffrey Gallup, who made contact with the wall to end his evening. During the caution, Rocco pitted to improve the handles on his machine and resumed from the rear of the field.
Once the race was back under the green flag Chadwick pulled ahead of Janovic, who tucked in behind in second position. Tom Abele was up to third with Pearl taking over fourth from Gada. Chadwick could not shake Janovic, who remained on his bumper looking for a lane to challenge. Janovic looked low on more than one occasion, however couldnt find the racing room to get along side.
Rocco was moving through the field after his pit stop, making his way into the top-five and beginning to look to Pearls outside on lap-28. Ahead, Janovic and Chadwicks battle for the top spot raged on as the laps counted down. In turns one and two of lap-29 the leaders made contact, sending both cars sliding out of shape. When the dust settled the caution was displayed and Janovic had right front damage, while Chadwick pitted for service to his machine from the contact.
Abele and Pearl lined up on the front row for the restart, with Abele getting the better of Pearl. Rocco was by Pearls inside through turns one and two, setting up the final five lap run to the checkered flag. Rocco dogged Abele looking for a way around, seeking his fourth victory of the year. Headed into turn one on lap-32, Rocco made a bold inside move on Abele. He made the move stick and raced out of turn two with the lead. Abele fought back, getting to Roccos rear bumper in turn three with Rocco able to hang on to the lead. From there he went on to the win. Abele had to settle for second, while Nichole Morgillo was in the podium with a fine third place run. Pearl and Chadwick completed the top-five.
Caprio was untouchable in the 50-lap Street Stock special event. He led all 50 laps in the race and went virtually unchallenged to the win. He became the sixth different winner in the divisions six races thus far in 2012. Walt Hovey battled all race to take second at the finish, with Chris Meyer finishing third.
Cassidy came from a starting position deep in the field for the 25-lap Mini Stock feature. He was up into the top three positions on lap-14. On lap-15, Cassidy passed Ray Christian for second and moved in behind leader Bill Leonard. Cassidy made his move on lap-20, taking over from Leonard. From there, Cassidy went on to his 36th career win in the division at the track, continuing his hot start to 2012.
Barry, a rookie driver at the track, Plainfield picked up his first career Speedbowl victory by default, claiming the SK Light Modified feature after apparent winner Chris Correll was disqualified in post-race technical inspection.
Pappa won his third straight Legends Cars feature at the track, while Butler won his third race of the year in the Super X-Car division.
Next Saturday night the Speedbowl celebrates NEMAs 60th birthday party in grand style, hosting the NEMA Midgets and NEMA Lites for 30-laps each, totaling their 60 year history. The very first NEMA Midget race was at the Bowl, making the shoreline oval a fitting site for the event. A long list of NEMA race winners, champions, and car owners will be part of the night. They join the Speedbowls NASCAR Whelen All-American Series racing program. Main events get underway at 7:00pm. More details can be found online at Speedbowl.com.
Waterford Speedbowl Saturday 5/5 NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Results:
NASCAR Whelen All-American Series SK Modifieds® (35-laps): 1. Keith Rocco, Meriden; 2. Tom Abele Jr., Norwich; 3. Nichole Morgillo, Wallingford; 4. Jeff Pearl, Salem; 5. Tyler Chadwick, Ledyard; 6. Ed Puleo, Branford; 7. Joe Gada, Salem; 8. Will Schneider, Northport, NY; 9. Al Stone, New Haven; 10. Rob Janovic Jr., Waterford; 11. Kyle James, Ashaway, RI; 12. Chris Ignazio, Colchester; 13. Rich Brooks, Groton; 14. Todd Ceravolo, North Stonington; 15. Joe Perry, Ashaway, RI; 16. Jeffrey Gallup, Feeding Hills, MA; 17. Jason Ferreira, Lowell, MA; 18. Frank Mucciacciaro Jr., Milford; 19. Wendell Dailey, Gales Ferry; 20. Jeff Rocco, Wallingford; 21. Diego Monahan, Quaker Hill
NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Street Stocks (50-laps): 1. Mike Caprio, New Haven; 2. Walt Hovey Jr., Chaplin; 3. Chris Meyer, North Franklin; 4. Dan Darnstaedt, Westbrook; 5. Ted Dupre, Westbrook; 6. Josh Galvin, Franklin; 7. Corey Hutchings, Salem; 8. Phil Evans, Uncasville; 9. John Blake, Shelton; 10. Bill McNeil, Preston; 11. Norm Root Jr., Old Saybrook; 12. Joe Arena, Bristol; 13. Ray Downing Jr., Westbrook; 14. Paul Gaedeke, Southington; 15. Allen Coates, Ledyard; 16. Scott Young, Willimantic; 17. Alan Hall Jr., North Haven; DQ - Greg Moran Jr., Preston
NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Mini Stocks (25-laps): 1. Ken Cassidy Jr., Lisbon; 2. Bill Leonard, Charlestown, RI; 3. Ray Christian, Groton; 4. Ian Brew, Wood River Junction, RI; 5. Chris Williams, Waterford; 6. Jeffrey Cembruch, Wallingford; 7. Garrett Denton, Hope Valley, RI; 8. Wayne Burroughs Jr., 9. Nick Pappacoda, North Branford; 10. Doug Curry, Groton; 11. Sean Caron, East Hampton; 12. Charles Canfield, New Haven; 13. Chris Ivory, Oakdale; 14. Joey DeGregorio, New Haven; 15. Chris Garside, Waterford; 16. Joseph Liskiewicz, Preston; 17. Joseph Fogarasi, Columbia; 18. Dale Sherman, Charlestown, RI; 19. Christina Kellerman, Stratford; 20. Floyd Chesbro, Griswold; 21. Jeffrey Lee, Uncasville
NASCAR Whelen All-American Series SK Light Modifieds (25-laps): 1. Corey Barry, Plainfield; 2. Shayne Prucker, Stafford Springs; 3. Jason Ferreira, Lowell, MA; 4. Chris Ignazio, Colchester; 5. Dick Ceravolo, Groton; 6. Paul French, Andover; 7. Corey Larson, Bolton; 8. Tyler Jackson, Milford; 9. Alan Benincaso, Westport; 10. Larry Goss, North Windham; DQ - Chris Correll, Quaker Hill
INEX Legends Cars (20-laps): 1. Matt Pappa, Nassua, NY; 2. Dylan Izzo, Westport; 3. Paul Kusheba IV, Monroe; 4. Giovanni Giarratana, Newington; 5. Kyle Rogers, Waterbury; 6. Cory Dimatteo, Farmington; 7. George Whitney, Westbrook; 8. Calvin Therrien, Vernon; 9. Kyle Hardwick, Chaplin; 10. Joey Ternullo, Middletown; 11. Daniel Stolte, Northbridge, MA; 12. Jordan Churchill, Lisbon; 13. Stephen Kopcik, Newtown; 14. Scott McKnickle, Ledyard; 15. Richard Erlandson, Moodus; 16. John OSullivan, Bethany; 17. David Johnson, Arlingham, MA; 18. Dana Dimatteo, Farmington; 19. Nicholas Sowa, Middletown; 20. Peter Cirilli, Farmington
Saturday Showdown Series #3 Super X-Cars (20-laps): 1. Dan Butler, Waterford; 2. Eric Finkbein, Colchester; 3. Ken Downing III, Branford; 4. Ed Ryan, Preston; 5. Jim Boyle, East Windsor; 6. Peter Pollard, Old Lyme; 7. Robert Norman, Clinton; 8. Frank Alessio, Colchester; 9. R.J. Cunningham, Clinton; 10. Shawn Butler, Jewett City; 11. Paul Turcotte, East Hartford; 12. Jon Porter, Canterbury; 13. Ray Phillips, Canterbury
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