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Waterford Speedbowl Budweiser Blastoff Results
Waterford, CT (April 1, 2012) Waterford Speedbowl began the facilitys
62nd consecutive year of operation with Budweiser Blastoff Weekend.
Fourteen divisions were hosted over the three-day event, culminating with
Sundays Valenti Modified Racing Series feature, NEMA Midget race and
NASCAR Whelen All-American Series racing. Taking down victories on Sunday
included Jon McKennedy of Carlisle, MA in the 100-lap Valenti Modified
Racing Series event, driving for legendary Modified car owner Art Barry of
Preston. In NASCAR Whelen All-American Series action Keith Rocco of
Meriden doubled up, taking down wins in both the SK Modified® and Bob
Valenti Auto Mall Late Model division races. Charles Beal of Ledyard was
a first time Street Stock winner and Ken Cassidy Jr. of Lisbon won the
Mini Stock feature. Another first time winner found victory lane in the
NEMA Midget feature, as Louisville, KY driver John Zych was victorious.
Picking up wins in Saturdays Blastoff main events included Paul French of
Andover, who won the evenings NASCAR Whelen All-American Series SK Light
Modified race, Ryan Bigelow of East Hampton who found Victory Lane in the
NEMA Light touring series race, and Corey Coates of Ledyard who won in the
visiting New England Truck Series. In INEX racing, Dave Garbo Jr. of
Stonington claimed the win in the opening day Legends Cars feature and
Jacob Urch in the afternoons Bandolero race. Other winners included Jon
Porter of Canterbury in Super X-Cars, Chris Garside of Waterford in X-Cars
and James Logan of Dighton, MA in the New England Four Cylinder Pro Stock
tour event.
Tom Abele Jr. and Todd Ceravolo led a strong 24-car field to green for a
great opening 62-lap NASCAR Whelen All-American Series SK Modified®
feature. Both of the Speedbowls racing grooves were in top form Sunday,
providing fans for exciting racing among the leaders from the beginning.
Abele and Ceravolo fought neck-and-neck for early command of the race,
with Abele ahead by a nose. As the field worked lap-3 division newcomer
Rich Brooks spun in turn two, collecting Nichole Morgillo and sending her
to the pit area with left front damage.
When racing went back to green, Ceravolo was able to wrestle the lead from
Abele using the Speedbowls very capable outside groove. A multi-car
incident a lap later found Jeff Rocco, Harry Rheaume and Brooks out of
shape for the second caution period.
Ceravolo moved cleanly out front on the restart, bringing Rocco into the
picture behind him to second. Diego Monahan settled in third ahead of
Abele, who was able to tuck back in line in fourth position. Caution was
back out on lap-5 when Dave Salzarulo spun off turn four, starting a chain
reaction that sent Al Stone III hard into the turn one wall. Doug Coby,
Will Schneider and Brooks also went to the pits with damage from the
incident with only Coby able to resume.
Ceravolo and Rocco picked up the intense battle for the lead when racing
resumed, with Rocco pestering the back of the race leader looking in both
the high and low racing grooves. Monahan rested comfortably in third with
Rowan Pennink holding fourth position. Rob Janovic advanced to the
top-five as the race hit lap-12 and began pressuring Pennink, who was
losing ground behind the top-three.
As the leaders raced to turn one on lap-15, Rocco made a bold move inside
Ceravolo to muscle alongside. As the pair exited turn two, Rocco edged
ahead and Ceravolo tucked in behind. The field raced to lap-18 when
contact just outside the top-five sent Abele around between turns one and
two, collecting Kyle James and Randy Churchill, eliminating all three from
competition. Pennink pitted for adjustments as the cleanup occurred,
relinquishing fourth position to Janovic. Tyler Chadwick lined up fifth
for the restart.
Rocco resumed his lead with the green back out, leaving Ceravolo to tussle
with Monahan. Ceravolo fought off the challenge and picked up his pursuit
of Rocco. Janovic and Chadwick held down the top-five under an extended
run of racing. Coby was rebounding from his early trouble, racing into
the back half of the top-ten by halfway. The running order remained the
same through lap-36 when Monahans top run met adversity, spinning from
third position out of turn four while trying to work over Ceravolo.
Rocco, Ceravolo and Janovic continued to occupy the top-three spots
following the quick caution. Jeff Pearl quietly raced to the top-five and
then got by Chadwick into fourth during the next green flag run. Chadwick
helf fifth ahead of Coby, who was up to sixth position.
Janovic capitalized on a miscue by Ceravolo entering turn one on lap-49.
He darted to Ceravolos inside through the turn to claim second position.
Pearl looked hungry to snatch third away from Ceravolo, who shut the door
on Pearls bid off turn two. Jeff Gallup slowed that great racing when he
spun from the tail of the top-ten on lap-50 to bring out caution.
Rocco restarted strong over two final attempts, the final coming on lap-57
after Justin Strumpf took a trip into the back stretch wall. Janovic and
Ceravolo battled for second over the remaining laps with Janovic coming
out on top. He stayed glued to Roccos bumper to the checkered flag, but
was unable to mount a serious challenge for the win. Rocco took his 37th
career win in the division, vaulting him to second all-time in the
division behind seven-time champion Dennis Gada. Janovic took second
ahead of Ceravolo. Pearl finished fourth with Coby placing fifth.
The NEMA Midgets opened their 60th anniversary season with Paul Scally
claiming the early lead. Zych raced his way by Scally on lap-5 to take
control of the race and moved out to a big lead. Scallys good run came
to an end several laps later when mechanical failure set in from second
position, putting fluid down on the track in turns one and two. The
liquid collected Barry Kittredge and Lee Bundy in the incident.
Zych got away from the field back under the green flag. Perennial
contender Randy Cabral moved to second position before the second and
final caution period waved for a spin in turn four. The interruption
could not slow Zychs pace, who raced comfortably ahead of Cabral and Russ
Stoehr over the final half of the race. Zych picked up his first career
NEMA Midget victory in dominating fashion. Behind him, Cabral, Stoehr,
Joey Payne Jr. and Anthony Marvuglio completed the top-five. Zychs quick
lap was a blistering 13.003 second lap.
The Bob Valenti Auto Mall Late Model division began its season with a
50-lap feature race. Rocco started on the outside pole and rocketed his
way to the race lead ahead of Rich Staskowski from the get go. Those two
checked out from an early battle for the top-five among Joe Curioso,
Travis Stearns, Jeff Smith and Jason Palmer among others. The first
caution finally came on lap-12 when Ed Gertsch Jr. spun in turn four.
Rocco was good on the restart but couldnt shake Staskowski from his rear
bumper. Staskowski hung with Rocco over the middle portion of the race as
Palmer picked through the field on the move, racing his way into third
position. He was tracking down the two leaders distancing himself from
Curioso, who held fourth position solidly while Stearns was in fifth.
Ryan Morgan, Smith, Bruce Thomas Jr. and Dillon Moltz were all exchanging
top-ten positions behind the leaders throughout a long green-flag run.
Caution was back over the field on lap-38 when Bill Bernard spun in turn
four.
That proved the final restart, which Rocco mastered. He took the win, his
second on the day and second consecutive in the division dating back the
final race of 2011. Staskowski finished in second while Curioso, Morgan
and Moltz completed the top-five after Palmer faded late in the race.
The NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Street Stocks competed in a 30-lap
event that saw defending division champion Ed Puleo leading the way early.
Beal took over on lap-5, getting around Puleo looking poised to contend
for his first career victory in the division. As Beal stretched out to a
half-straightaway lead Walt Hovey advanced to second position and Chris
Meyer took third, dropping Puleo back to fourth. They ran in that order
past halfway before the first caution period was shown on lap-16 for Phil
Evans, who spun by himself on the front chute.
Following the restart, racing got rough and tumble in the Street Stocks
with plenty of full-fendered racing on display. Beal continued to lead
while Meyer moved to second ahead of Hovey and Puleo. Following a lap-19
restart, the intensity picked up even greater out front. Any lead Beal
once enjoyed was eliminated over the remaining laps. He hung tough to
complete his best run in the division to date. The former Wild n Wacky
Wednesday Super X-Car track champion claimed his first career victory in
the Street Stocks. Beal bested Hovey, Meyer, Puleo and Shawn Monahan at
the checkered flag.
In the 30-lap NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Mini Stock feature,
Cassidy had a stout car from the drop of the green flag. He started back
in ninth position, but was in the top-five in the very early going. Jeff
Cembruch raced to the early lead over Ian Brew, Charles Canfield and
Garrett Denton. Cassidy moved to Dentons inside on lap-9 for fourth
position. From there, Cassidy raced by Canfield for third two laps later,
bringing Denton with him into fourth and dropping Canfield to fifth. The
only caution flag of the race waved on lap-13 for Joseph Fogarasi, who
looped his machine between turns one and two.
Cassidy was in the lead mix following the only restart, moving up to
second then bided his time with Cembruch who continued to lead. Defending
division champion Glenn Colvin also emerged among the lead pack, chasing
down Cembruch and Cassidy. Cassidy got around the inside of Cembruch on
lap-20 and then set sail to his 32nd career victory in the division.
Cembruch and Colvin battled to the checkered flag for second position,
with Colvin narrowly taking the spot. Brew and Denton raced up front
throughout and finished their good efforts in fourth and fifth,
respectively.
On Saturday, the 20-lap NASCAR Whelen All-American Series SK Light
Modified feature saw Chris Ignazio lead the field to the green flag,
however defending division champion French raced to the lead through turns
one and two outside Ignazio. Tyler Jackson moved to second position and
newcomer Jason Ferreira came to third position in the opening laps.
Things heated up for the top spot before long, as Ferreira raced by
Jacksons outside for second position, taking the spot on lap-3. While
Ferreira hounded French for the top spot, Jackson refused to give in from
third. The three briefly went three-wide for the race lead out of turn
two on lap-6 resulting in Ferreira getting crossed up, spinning down the
back chute drawing the first caution period of the race.
French controlled the restart, racing ahead of Chris Correll, Jackson, and
Bubby Brouwer. Following another restart for a debris caution, Correll
looked strong moving up Frenchs outside over the next several laps,
however could not find the room to complete a move to claim the top spot.
The top four raced in tight formation and as they raced off turn four
coming to the white flag, Corrells outside bid got him crossed up,
catching his right front into the front stretch wall. Correll rode the
wall before coming to rest in turn one. Ferreira also spun in the mayhem
which drew the third caution period.
French nailed one final restart to cruise to his first win of the season.
Jackson ran well to claim second position at the finish, hanging with
French over the green-white-checkered finish. Ignazio hung tough all race
to take third.
Garbo benefitted with a pole starting position in the 25-lap Legends Cars
event. He used that to rocket to the race lead over Dylan Izzo and Dana
Dimatteo at the drop of the initial green flag. The field only completed
one lap when Michael Blaskey spun exiting turn two, creating contact among
multiple cars that sent veteran racer George Whitneys car tumbling down
the back chute before coming to rest on its roof. Whitney walked away
from the incident, which drew the red flag.
After the cleanup, Garbo settled back in the race lead once racing
returned to green flag conditions. Behind Garbo, Dimatteo raced to second
position ahead of Kaz Grala and Izzo. Racing continued uninterrupted with
a nice pace from the lead group. Garbo stretched his advantage over Grala
to a very comfortable distance. Grala ran strong in second with Dimatteo
holding third. Paul Kusheba was strong coming up to fourth position ahead
of Izzo. The top five ran in position through the final laps with no
further change to the running order in a cleanly contested race.
Urch raced his way to an opening day victory in the Bandolero feature, his
first career at the Speedbowl. The race, which went caution free, saw
Urch bolt out to a big lead early. He went unchallenged to the win.
Derek Debbis finished in second position, with Andrew Morin placing third.
Coates won the 25-lap New England Truck Series event by grabbing the lead
from an early battle with Roger Turbush. From there, Coates moved out to
a comfortable lead while Turbush battled over the second half of the race
with Duane Noll and Vin Esposito. Both Noll and Esposito got around
Turbush in the final laps to score podium finishes.
In Super X-Car action, Porter found himself in prime position to
capitalize on a final turn mishap by race leader Mike Maskell. Maskell
took control of the race from early leader Eric Finkbein. Maskell
stretched his lead at times during the 20-lap race, however caution two
mid-race caution periods kept Porter on his rear bumper for the final
laps. Exiting turn four with the checkered flags waving, Maskell lost
traction, spinning off turn four and relinquishing the victory to Porter
in an exciting exchange. Finishing behind Porter at the checkered flag
were Dan Butler and Ed Ryan.
Garside won the X-Car 20-lap feature in a quick paced and spirited battle
in a competitive four-cylinder affair. Garside got by early leader Brad
Voglesong and held back the charges of Scott Limkemann in the closing laps
to take the win. Voglesong finished in third.
Weekly racing resumes to the shoreline oval next Saturday, April 7 for a
6-division race program. The NASCAR Whelen All-American Series SK
Modifieds®, Bob Valenti Auto Mall Late Models, Street Stocks and Mini
Stocks will be joined by the Legends Cars and Bandolero for their Saturday
Showdown series. More information is available at Speedbowl.com
Waterford Speedbowl Budweiser Blastoff Sunday 4/1 Results:
Valenti Modified Racing Series (100-laps): 1. Jon McKennedy, Carlisle,
MA; 2. Rowan Pennink, New Egypt, NJ; 3. Norm Wrenn, Nashua, NH; 4. Mike
Holdridge, Madison; 5. Dave Etheridge, Portland; 6. Charlie Pasteryak,
Lisbon; 7. Tom Barrett, Millis, MA; 8. Doug Coby, Wethersfield; 9. Les
Hinckley, Windsor Locks; 10. Chris Pasteryak, Jewett City; 11. Jeff
Malave, Manchester; 12. Louie Mechalides, Tyngsboro, MA; 13. Joe
Doucette, Framingham, MA; 14. Dennis Charette, Southington; 15. Mark
Bakaj, Lebanon; 16. Jim Boniface, Winchester, NH; 17. Mark McClay,
Charlestown, NH; 18. Tim Jordan, Plainfield; 19. Max Zachem, Preston; 20.
Jack Bateman, Canaan, NH; 21. Todd Annarummo, Swansea, MA; 22. Anthony
Nocella, Woburn, MA; 23. Steve Masse, Bellingham, MA; 24. Rob Goodenough,
Swanzey, NH; 25. David Schneider, Northport, NY; 26. Matt Mead,
Richmond, NH
NASCAR Whelen All-American Series SK Modifieds® (62-laps): 1. Keith
Rocco, Meriden; 2. Rob Janovic Jr., Waterford; 3. Todd Ceravolo, North
Stonington; 4. Jeff Pearl, Salem; 5. Doug Coby, Wethersfield; 6. Tyler
Chadwick, Ledyard; 7. Diego Monahan, Quaker Hill; 8. Randy Churchill
Jr., Oakdale; 9. Jeff Rocco, Wallingford; 10. Jeff Gallup, Feeding
Hills, MA; 11. Joe Gada, Salem; 12. Ed Puleo, Branford; 13. Dave
Salzarulo, Monson, MA; 14. Justin Strumpf, Selden, NY; 15. Joe Perry,
Ashaway, RI; 16. Gregg Hurley, Beverly, MA; 17. Nichole Morgillo,
Wallingford; 18. Rowan Pennink, New Egypt, NJ; 19. Tom Abele Jr.,
Norwich; 20. Kyle James, Ashaway, RI; 21. Will Schneider, Northport, NY;
22. Al Stone III, New Haven; 23. Rich Brooks, Groton; 24. Harry
Rheaume, Oakdale; DNS David Webb, New Milford; DNS Justin Gaydosh,
Newtown
NEMA Midgets (25-laps): 1. John Zych, Louisville, KY; 2. Randy Cabral,
Plymouth, MA; 3. Russ Stoehr, Lakeville, MA; 4. Joey Payne Jr.,
Fairlawn, NJ; 5. Anthony Marvuglio, E. Bridgewater, MA; 6. Todd
Bertrand, Suffield; 7. Jim Miller, Weymouth, MA; 8. Matt OBrien,
Wilmington, MA; 9. Lee Bundy, Kennebunkport, ME; 10. Jim Santamaria,
Burlington, MA; 11. Paul Luggelle, Holbrook, MA; 12. Greg Stoehr,
Bridgewater, MA: 13. Paul Scally, Raynham, MA; 14. Barry Kittredge,
Marlboro, MA; 15. Seth Carlson, Brimfield, MA; 16. Adam Cantor, Glen
Cove, NY; 17. Doug Cleveland, Sudbury, MA
NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Bob Valenti Auto Mall Late Models
(50-laps): 1. Keith Rocco, Meriden; 2. Rich Staskowski, Hope Valley, RI;
3. Joe Curioso, Pawcatuck; 4. Ryan Morgan, Mystic; 5. Dillon Moltz,
Waterford; 6. Bruce Thomas Jr., Groton; 7. Brian Andronaco Jr., Wilton;
8. Travis Stearns, Auburn, ME; 9. Bill Bernard, Holliston, MA; 10. Jason
Palmer, Berlin; 11. Jeff Smith, Old Lyme; 12. Mike Sweeney Jr., Meriden;
13. Ed Gertsch Jr., East Haven; 14. Anthony Ryan Jr., Danbury; 15. Rich
Duranti, Quaker Hill; 16. Anthony Flannery, East Hampton; DNS Wayne
Helliwell Jr., Dover, NH
NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Street Stocks (30-laps): 1. Charles
Beal, Ledyard; 2. Walt Hovey Jr., Chaplin; 3. Chris Meyer, North
Franklin; 4. Ed Puleo, Branford; 5. Shawn Monahan, Waterford; 6. Ray
Downing Jr., Westbook; 7. Joe Arena, Bristol; 8. Phil Evans, Uncasville;
9. Dan Darnsteadt, Durham; 10. Norm Root, Old Saybrook; 11. Steve
Barrett, Preston; 12. Ted Dupre, Westbrook; 13. Bill McNeil, Preston;
14. Josh Galvin, Franklin; 15. Patrick Delaney, Fall River, MA; 16. Scott
Young, Willimantic; 17. John Blake, North Haven; 18. Alan Hall Jr.,
North Haven; 19. Corey Hutchings, Salem; 20. Jack Aquilina, Oakdale;
21. Paul Gaedeke, Southington; 22. Greg Moran Jr., Preston; DNS Ronnie
Oldham Jr., Old Saybrook; DQ Mike Caprio, New Haven
NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Mini Stocks (30-laps): 1. Ken Cassidy
Jr., Lisbon; 2. Glenn Colvin, Clinton; 3. Jeff Cembruch, Wallingford;
4. Ian Brew, Wood River Junction, RI; 5. Garrett Denton, Hope Valley, RI;
6. Sean Caron, East Hampton; 7. Nick Pappacoda, North Branford; 8. Ray
Christian III, Norwich; 9. Charles Canfield, New Haven; 10. Bill
Leonard, Charlestown, RI; 11. Joey DeGregorio, New Haven; 12. Joseph
Fogarasi, Columbia; 13. Wayne Burroughs Jr., Oakdale; 14. Christina
Kellerman, Stratford; 15. Doug Curry, Groton; 16. Jeff Lee, Uncasville;
17. Floyd Chesbro, Griswold; 18. Dale Sherman, Charlestown, RI; DNS
Chris Garside, Waterford
Saturday Budweiser Blastoff 3/31 Results:
NASCAR Whelen All-American Series SK Light Modifieds (20-laps): 1. Paul
French, Andover; 2. Tyler Jackson, Milford; 3. Chris Ignazio,
Colchester; 4. Jason Ferreira, Lowell, MA; 5. Richard Brouwer,
Waterford; 6. Chris Correll, New London; 7. Corey Larson, Bolton
New England Truck Series (25-laps): 1. Corey Coates, Ledyard; 2. Duane
Noll, Monroe; 3. Vin Esposito, Seymour; 4. Roger Turbush, Riverhead, NY;
5. Jason Lafayette, Somers; 6. Chris Turbush, Riverhead, NY; 7. Bert
Ouellette, Dayville; 8. Craig Cashman, Milford, NH; 9. Glen Noll,
Naugatuck
NEMA Lites top-five (25-laps): 1. Ryan Bigelow, East Hampton; 2. Eric
Cumens, Cyndell, PA; 3. Joey Payne, Fairlawn, NJ; 4. Randy Cabral,
Plymouth, MA; 5. Ken Johnson, Bethany
New England Four-Cylinder Pro Stocks (20-laps): 1. James Logan, Dighton,
MA; 2. Emily Packard, East Montpelier, VT; 3. Brad Zahensky, Bow, NH
Legends Cars (25-laps): 1. Dave Garbo Jr., Stonington; 2. Kaz Grala,
Westboro, MA; 3. Dana Dimatteo, Farmington; 4. Paul Kusheba, Monroe; 5.
Dylan Izzo, Westport; 6. Nicholas Lascuola, Brockton, MA; 7. Kyle
Rogers, Waterbury; 8. Michael Blaskey, Bethany; 9. Nicholas Sowa,
Middletown; 10. Cory Dimatteo, Farmington; 11. Dennis Pantani, Branford;
12. Calvin Therrien, Vernon; 13. Kyle Hardwick, Chaplin; 14. Jordan
Churchill, Lisbon; 15. Richard Erlandson, Moodus; 16. Stephen Kopcik,
Newtown; 17. Daniel Stolte; 18. George Whitney, Westbrook; 19. Matt
Pappa, Nassau, NY; 20. John OSullivan, Salem; DNS - Joseph Perry,
Ashaway, RI
Bandoleros (15-laps): 1. Jacob Urch, West Suffield; 2. Derek Debbis,
Oakdale; 3. Andrew Morin, Old Saybrook; DQ - Ken Morin Jr., Old
Saybrook;
Super X-Cars (20 laps): 1. Jon Porter, Canterbury; 2. Dan Butler,
Waterford; 3. Ed Ryan, Preston; 4. Bill Reiman, Southington; 5. Mike
Maskell, Quaker Hill; 6. Jim Boyle, East Windsor; 7. Eric Finkbein,
Columbia; 8. Robert Norman, Clinton; 9. Ken Cassidy Sr., Lisbon; 10.
Peter Pollard, Old Lyme; 11. Frank Alessio, Colchester; 12. John Yagmin,
Tolland; 13. Ray Phillips, Canterbury; 14. John Robidoux, Fall River,
MA; 15. Matt Carlson, Griswold; 16. Ken Downing III, Branford; 17. Paul
Turcotte; DNS John Brouwer Jr., Groton
X-Cars (20-laps): 1. Chris Garside, Waterford; 2. Scott Limkemann, East
Lyme; 3. Brad Voglesong, Middletown; 4. Mike Marvin, Colchester; 5.
Wayne Shifflett, Preston; 6. Randy Johnston, Westerly, RI; 7. Shawn
Stula, Colchester; 8. Onie Pierce, Norwich; 9. Melissa Clavette, Bozrah;
10. Christopher Lee, Uncasville; 11. Chris Bissell, Jewett City; 12.
Shaun Parker, Taftville; 13. Kim Bickford, Griswold; 14. Chuck McDonald,
Groton; 15. Henry Lavallee, Uncasville; DNS Javier Rivera,
Willimantic; DNS Mitchell Bombard, Willimantic
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