G2 Radios presents The Waterford Speedbowl Message Board

"Winning isn't everything, it's the only thing." - Vince Lombardi

So today the double dip starts. Woke up early just to get everything ready, and then I'm on the road for the first time by my self to Stafford. I'm very bad with directions so I had my GPS running and telling me ware to go. First time from my house to Stafford is 1 hour and 12 minutes. The only problem I had with my GPS is that it wanted me to go on some rail road tracks. other then that small detour everything came out fine and got to the track with out a hitch. just as I sat down they were doing the SK and Late model practice. Wait what is this? Why is it so hot here . So after all the practicing they started the first race.

The SK mod's started with 28 cars, Rocco started off with the poll and the battle was down to two guys. Christopher and Rocco they were fighting for that lead and with ever caution it was Christopher then Rocco going for the lead. but almost half way threw the event something happened to Christopher and his car was pushed behind the wall. After that there was no one that could stop Rocco. I'm having a hard time remember who got in all the crashes. I remember Matt Gallo hitting the front stretch wall and a few SK's spinning out. Rocco won with Jeff Malave finishing 2nd and Eric Berndt finishing 3rd.

The late models came out next 25 cars started. With the win going to Rocco in the first race it looked like no brainier that he was going to win this race. But once the race started it looked like he was under power and every time on the straightaways he could not keep up with the rest of the pack. Later in the race he took the car behind the wall. Ryan Posocco crashed in the back stretch but got his car back out on the track. Dillon Moltz took the lead and never looked back he won the race coming off one of the best weekend ever finding out he will attempt to race at Pocono in ARCA and now winning the race at Stafford. Woody Pitkat was fighting hard to finish 2nd and Corey Hutchings fished 3rd.

Then with time coming to a close the Tour Mods came out to the track 32 of mods. Oh yes, be for you all forget make sure you look to the right and left and say thank you and your welcome for making Open Wheel racing the best in CT . So the race started out with Bobby Santos taking the lead. And that's all it was. He took the lead and just did not stop, In till he was lapping traffic it looked like someone did not wanted to be lapped and took out Santos. By then everyone came in for gas then the next long stint went to Doug Coby as it looked like no one could stop him. But more cautions came out and this time the battle came down to Christopher, mind you Christopher came in for tires but yet had taken gas. Jimmy Blewett was fighting with Christopher but he could not get the job done. More Cautions more crashing reminder this was a very long race so I can't remember who crashed every time sorry folks. The win came down to Ted Christopher 2nd was Bobby Santos and 3rd was Mike Stefanik.

So now I get to drive all the way back to Waterford to be at the speed bowl before 7PM. Driving was fun but the sunburn did not help much . I put "Queen Of The Stone Age" music on and I was trolling all the way down to Waterford. It took me 58 minutes. I did not beat Shadow's record but getting to the track under an hour was not that bad.

So When I walked into the track the place was quite full, full with kids and first timers. So lets get this started should we? Last week I asked you all what would have the lest amount of car's the Bandoleros or the late models. And it was very close winning by 2 cars the late models had the most. Still funny if you think about it.

So the Bandoleros started the night off first with 9 cars on a 20 lap distance. This race came down to a Green-White-Checkered finish and I mean by saying that the race had no cautions to be found. Taylor Martin had the lead in till 5 laps to go Chris Lomartire took the lead and won the race. So for the run down Chris Lomartire won 2nd was Taylor Martin and 3rd was Tyler Chalue.

Next was the Late Models and coming out with 11 cars strong. See told you it was kind of funny. Something needs to be done with this division after having quite a few weeks off we are treated to 11 cars? not even that when the race was over their was only 5 cars left on the track. The race started with Kyle DeSousa on the poll, When the race started people were passing him on the high side. He tried to go high to stop them but then someone got below him and going into turn 1 three wide does not go well with the Late Models. Kyle DeSousa, Bruce Thomas Jr and Vinny Esposito crashed and ended their night on lap 0. Jeffery Paul got into it but only lost the right side door and came back out on the track. Racing went on with more crashing as Tim Jordan, Dennis Botticello and Richard Staskowski were going for the lead they went three wide and I guess they can't remember what just happened ten minutes go as Richard was the loser and crashed ending his night. Tim Jordan won the race and in Victory lane he said he had a 3rd place. But with everyone crashing ahead of him he won the race. Jeffery Paul finished 2nd and Dennis Botticello finished 3rd.

The Mini Stock's were next 19 cars started. Just like the Bandolero they went Green-White-Checkered with out any cautions. This was not bad of a race. We saw Louie Bellisle lead a few laps I think but then he backed up. we seen Ken Cassidy Jr and Danny Field fight threw cars one by one just to get up to the top. But it came down Sean Caron as he took his first win of the year Ken Cassidy Jr. finshed 2nd and Ian Brew finished 3rd.

Next was the SK mod's 22 started. The first stint had a few cars spinning out but crashing would follow as Mike Sweeney and Justin Gaydosh got together and both went back into the paddock. Also all this talk about Shawn Solomito did not do well as he crashed to the end of the race and ended his night. I'll wait and see what he can do, Tom Abele Jr had the lead for a long time he could have won the event but their was a man lurking on the track who wanted that win. Keith Rocco started deep in the pack and it did not take long for him to get up to the front passing Yuhas, Paul and even Pearl, in no time he was side by side with Abele. That's when the battle for the restarts went on. They would go then a caution, go, caution, go , caution. In till they got the green for the last time and that's when Rocco took the lead and never looked back as he scored the win. Two wins in one day is very impressive and It just makes me think why Tour owners turn a blind eye to Rocco and with all the success he is having this year. Keith Rocco won Tom Abele Jr finished 2nd and Ron Yuhas Jr finished 3rd.

The last race came up Street Stock's 15 cars started. this race was full of cars spinning out and stopping so not much happened. Josh Galvin did crash on the front stretch I think if I can remember correctly. Al Stone III was very hungry for a win and he did all he could to pass everyone to get first and it paid off. Al Stone III finished 1st with Walter Hovey coming in 2nd and Brandon Plemons taking 3rd.

That's all for this week, next week WNWW starts up and Saturday it's Little League Night at Waterford "SK 35, LM 30, SS 25, MS 25, LC 20" For people who are going to Stafford this Friday (not me this time no thanks ) this Is what you have to look forward to "Late Model (100), SK Modified® (40), SK Light (20), Ltd. Late Model (20), DARE Stock (15)"

Keep Cool.

Pretty good recap there Paul too bad we got crossed up. 54 mins for me...lol beat ya by 4 mins. sunburned here too but was a fun day. The tour race i sum up shoulda,coulda, but didn't for Bobby Santos. Good Race.

Keith is just hooked up everyweek everywhere. I beleive him being overlooked for tour-type car is that teams dont think he is mentaly ready for the step up. He can drive anything but with his aggressive driving style while in the end will win alot of races. Car owners wil put going threw alot front clips during the transition phase. When he does get a ride im sure will be a good car with good funding.
or could be something totaly different....

Late models gotta go. I do like the division but with ACT rules is southern new egland what you see is what you get,with the occasional 35/47 slugfest. I beleive but could be wrong they cost as much to race as a SK

As we all know lately The Late Models and the Trucks are having trouble keeping a field of ten or more car's to start the feature. And I have been thinking of a way how to extend the field and have more cars in the features. Now some of them you all might think is stupid or good or even down right crazy. But with no ideas flowing by, I thought I'd give my 2 cents on how the bowl could improve both divisions.

1.) Keep the ACT Late Model's but also add regular Late Model cars like the one's at Stafford or Thompson. The other type of Late Models would have their own separate points. The same thing for the Trucks, I Remember when they had the 100 Lap truck race they had junk trucks. That looked like a modified Street Stock made to look like a truck. This might just increase the car counts.

2.) I'm not to sure of this one. But heck it does not hurt telling all of you right? Why not mix the Trucks and the Late Models in one race? The trucks could start behind the Late Models or they car start side by side. Every week they would switch from inside lane to the outside lane.

This is something to think about, changes don't have to be made this year. It could be a good thing to think about when the 2011 schedule come's around. If anyone has an idea how to help the Late Models or the Trucks grow please feel free to comment or give your 2 cents as well.

#1 - the G-car and ACT Late Models were able to run together for years, and eventually all the G-cars went bye-bye! IMO there's no point in inviting them back to run with the ACT cars, they already decided to leave. Plus, I remember in the last month or two of the 2008 season, the legend Phil Rondeau came back with a G-car that had a ton of motor and I remember Timmy went by him one night in turns 1 & 2 like he was standing still... I didn't need to see anything more than this to know as long as the ACT cars are here, the G-car can't compete with them at the 'bowl.

#2 - the ol' Riverside Park trucks were invited to race with the 'bowl Late Models (then all G-cars) when the Park closed and they were nowhere near competitive. I don't see how they would be any better against the now all-ACT car Late Models at the 'bowl.

I agree the Late Models have issues with car counts, and as much as I love the ACT cars, we lost alotta peeps from the G-car crew (Corey, Allen, St. Hilliare, Noll, just to name a few...) You might be tempted to say "just go back to G-cars" but I don't believe Thompson's Late Model count is much greater than the 'bowls and they still run G-cars, so there's no guarantee a switch back would make a difference.

I think the first questions to ask are: Where's Larry Goss??? Where's Tony Macrino??? or Mark Hudson??? is Curious Joe coming back now that he's out of the #25 SK??? Right there that's 4 guys that would make a 15 car field if ya added them to last week's event. 15's not great, but it's better than 11! I thought the whole point of giving the LM's more weeks off was to get them to show up for more races altogether?? Not sure what the track can do, but I agree, it's not good.

I love the Late Models... and as everyone knows, love the 47/35 rivalry... but the division as a whole is definitely not at a peak right now

The funny thing is that you can buy a competitive ACT Late Model for much less than a Legend car. I actually know of teams that have more money in their Super X than it takes to have a competitive Late Model, a fact.

A couple of corrections here for you Sid: The trucks that run at the bowl are much closer to DARE Stocks then LM's like the Riverside Trucks were, so there would be even more disparity. Also, Thompson does not run G-cars, they run tube cars.

That's ridiculous. Although I know who you're talking about, I'd never expect THAT much money into a car that's supposed to be in a "novice" class.

Actually my point is that it is THAT cheap to buy an ACT car...I've seen a car that was bought for less than $7,000, race ready, compete for the Late Model championship at my home track in Oxford, Maine and lead laps in the in one the biggest short track races in the country....

While alot of this are valid points, i just think the biggest problem is the rules. The mini's Streets and SK's can race at more tracks with haveing to make only a few minor changes for rule adjustments. While a bowl late model can only race seekonk,which runs on sat nights or go to New Hampshire or Maine to race. Thats the problem in my opinion. A 12 car race can be ok if we had 8 that can win,but with the 35 and 47 being so much faster than the feild its just always a 2 horse show. Rocco and Danny are blazin fast too but even they have to work it to get to the front. Bruce and Timmy just drive by everyone. If they are skipping weeks maybe they should give em a race purse increase for when they do race. I doubt it would happen but more money would prob bring more cars. Could be a hell of a division with a decent competive field.