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Waterford Speedbowl 8/4 NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Results

Waterford, CT (August 4, 2012) – Waterford Speedbowl returned to action on the shoreline following a rain out a week ago with its special “Four Cylinder Fury” NASCAR Whelen All-American Series racing program, presented by USG. While four cylinder cars were the highlight of the night, the story of the night was in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series SK Modified® division. One of the hottest open-wheel Modified drivers in the country, NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour point leader Doug Coby of Milford, took over for an injured Keith Rocco of Meriden to score victory in impressive fashion. Waterford’s Dillon Moltz won his fifth Bob Valenti Auto Mall Late Model division race of the year, Ken Cassidy Jr. won his tenth Mini Stock race of 2012 in a special extra-distance event, and a first-time Speedbowl win went to Joe Arena of Bristol in the Street Stocks. Wayne Shifflett of Preston won the X-Car feature and Dave Richardi of North Easton, MA scored the win in the visiting Pro Four Modifieds of New England race. The Northeast Mini Stock Tour race was won by Shawn Swallow of Stark, NH in a thrilling photo finish in that race.

Rocco, the division point leader headed into the event, injured his wrist in a practice crash on Sunday at Thompson International Speedway. He turned over his ride to Coby for the 35-lap NASCAR Whelen All-American Series SK Modified® feature. After resuming the race from the rear of the field, Coby methodically picked his way through the field in Rocco’s #88. Coby used several timely caution flags during the event to make his progress to the front of the field.

The race began with Jeffrey Gallup holding the pole starting position. On the intial green flag, the field only made it to turn two before Brett Gonyaw spun from third position triggering hair-raising moments for several competitors as the caution flag waved. During the caution, Rocco went to the pits to hand the wheel over to Coby. A lengthier delay ensued when the cars of Will Schneider and Tyler Chadwick became locked together on the track in turn four.

Once the track was clear Gallup was challenged on the opening lap by Kyle James, who motored under Gallup to the stripe to lead lap-1. Gonyaw and Will Schneider came together through turns three and four disabling both cars which made their way off the speedway under their own power to keep the race under green. The second caution flag was not far behind however, waving on lap-3 when a check-up further back in the field had Joe Perry coming to rest on the track in turn four.

Drivers were kept on their toes following the next restart as James resumed over Gallup, however a battle for third saw Rich Brooks and Jeff Pearl make contact with Pearl brushing the backstretch wall. Everyone stayed pointed ahead until lap-6 when Justin Gaydosh and Jeff Rocco made contact entering turn one in a battle in the back of the top-ten, bringing out the caution as both cars spun through the turns. On the restart, Brooks and Gallup made contact in turn three before a lap could be complete, sending both spinning to drop them from the front runners.

After making it past lap-6, the field settled in for an extended run of green flag racing with action to be found all over the track. James was comfortable out front while Diego Monahan, Shawn Monahan, Tommy Barrett and Pearl held down the top-five in single file order

Already benefitting by the multiple cautions and cars heading pit side for adjustments, Coby was just inside the top-ten for the green flag run. He went to work during the run, continuing forward progress to arrive on Pearl’s bumper for fifth position on lap-12. Coby worked on Pearl for three laps before diving outside on lap-15. Chadwick was on Coby’s tail, following him through the top-ten as he recovered from his early incident. Coby moved to the top-five by clearing Pearl, with Chadwick past Pearl on lap-16 just as Coby creeped in on Barrett for fourth.

The action for third position became a heated three car battle over the next several laps. Coby kept the pressure on Barrett, who in turn was all over Shawn Monahan who began to struggle with the handles on his machine. Barrett looked outside Monahan for the spot while Coby waited for an opening in either lane. Barrett finally got the run he needed on Monahan on lap-21 to pull even, spending two laps working for the spot before claiming it on lap-23. Coby got outside Monahan to take over fourth position on lap-24, dropping Monahan to fifth.

Monahan could not rest as Chadwick was on his bumper pressuring to move his way into the lead pack. The action just ahead of the battle for fifth, Coby challenged to move in the top-three by stalking Barrett for the spot. Coby went to the top of the track looking for a run. As Coby was outside Barrett, Chadwick had just taken over fifth from Monahan on lap-27 when Monahan lost control in turn three, spinning into the wall to finally slow the torrid pace and erase the advantage James and Diego Monahan held at the front.

James got away on the restart again, leaving Diego Monahan in the grips of Barrett. Monahan fended off a brief challenge for second and Coby jumped to Barrett’s outside to immediately challenge again for third. Coby had the spot on lap-30 and then wasted no time in diving to Monahan’s outside in a bid for second. Just as Coby was making his move, Nichole Morgillo spun around in turn three after moving through the top-ten, returning the race to caution.

The lap-30 restart had James jumping to the lead over Monahan, who lined up to his outside. Coby used the inside lane on the restart to successfully take over second position, finally clear of Monahan on lap-32. Chadwick followed suit to make his way to third position on the same lap. As the field worked lap-33, an incident in turn one between Gallup and Morgillo brought out the final yellow flag, providing Coby the chance to line up outside of James.

Coby timed the restart perfectly and powered into the lead outside James down the front chute and through turns one and two. Coby sprinted ahead over the final three lap dash to the checkered flag to score the win. James had a great run all night leading the brunt of the race, only to settle for second position, and Chadwick placed a strong third. Monahan went spinning on the final lap in turns three and four to shuffle the field as it raced for finishing position, with Rob Janovic Jr. taking fourth and Jeff Rocco finishing fifth.

The driver of record in the winning #88 car ended up being Coby after official review. Keith Rocco took the initial green flag at the tail of the running order, however the field only made it to turn two on the opening lap before the caution flag flew. Rocco immediately ducked into the turn three pit gate to make the driver change to Coby before coming around to take the caution flag. Per the published track rules regarding Race Procedure, “points and (prize) money will be awarded to the driver that completes the initial green flag lap.” Coby was the driver of record that completed the initial green flag lap on the track upon exiting the pit area. The ruling unofficially drops Rocco from the point lead, moving Chadwick into the top spot. Rocco slipped to fourth in the standings.

The NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Mini Stock division was on center stage during the Four Cylinder Fury event, staging a special 50-lap feature race. Over the course of a rough and tumble event, it emerged as a three-car battle for much of it at the front of the field among Cassidy, Jeffrey Cembruch and Ray Christian III. Sean Caron was the race’s early leader, but he gave way to Christian on lap-10 after the third restart of the race. Cassidy marched into second inside of Caron on lap-13. Cassidy took over the lead before halfway and held back challenges from both Christian and Cembruch over the second half of the race. Cassidy survived multiple restarts to take his tenth victory of the year, but first since June 16 after he won nine of the first ten events in the division. Christian and Cembruch completed the podium finishers.

The 30-lap NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Bob Valenti Auto Mall Late Model feature ran caution free with Moltz coming out on top. Jeff Smith took the race lead at the drop of the green flag over Anthony Flannery. Moltz shuffled his way through front runners to take second position on lap-3 and chase down Smith on lap-5. He moved to the leader’s outside and spent two laps there before clearing Smith for the race lead on lap-7. Once out front, Moltz pulled away as Bruce Thomas Jr. battled Smith for second. Thomas was in the spot on lap-10 and spent the rest of the race trying to track down Moltz. Thomas had cut the lead to a single car length by the final lap, but his effort came up just short with a second place finish. Moltz took the win, his fifth on the year. Smith finished third. Moltz and Thomas are first and second in the division’s season standings.

Arena led the majority of the 25-lap NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Street Stock feature after taking command from former division champion Norm Root Jr. but certainly had to earn the right to claim his first career Speedbowl victory. Arena, a veteran of racing wars at other tracks during his career, first had to fight off Dan Darnstaedt and then a late race challenge by Josh Galvin. Once Arena had thwarted off Darnstaedt, Galvin stormed into the picture with a late race rally following a restart on lap-20. Galvin actually edged ahead into the lead on the outside on lap-22 before Arena battled back to reclaim the top spot. Arena refused to back down and watched as Galvin slipped away in the outside lane to take the win. Galvin finished second with Phil Evans beating back Walt Hovey to take third at the checkered flag.

The Northeast Mini Stock Tour turned in the closest finish of the night in their 50-lap race to conclude the program. Fans that stayed were treated to a thrilling final run to the checkered flag. The first 34 laps were rattled off without caution and saw division point leader Swallow move to the race lead after passing early leader Ian Brew. Danny Field and Mark Panaroni used the green flag laps to move their way into contention to set up a great finish among the three. Swallow had to hold off Field on his rear bumper and Panaroni to his outside in the closing laps, including a final lap surge by Panaroni to pull even. The two drag raced to the checkered flag with Swallow hanging on by the slimmest of margins in a photo finish. Field, a three-time Mini Stock champion at the Speedbowl, finished third.

The 25-lap Pro Four Modified feature also had an exciting finish as Dave Richardi held off a furious charge by Kurt Vigeant over the final three laps to score the victory. Richardi led from the beginning but had to hold on in the closing laps.

The 20-lap X-Car race featured the division in a points race for their Wild ‘n Wacky Wednesday series. Shifflett got around early race leader Mitchell Bombard of Willimantic on lap-10 at the halfway point of the race. Shifflett had to master one restart attempt and handled it smoothly to score the win.

Waterford Speedbowl Saturday 8/4 NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Results:

NASCAR Whelen All-American Series SK Modifieds® (35-laps): 1. Doug Coby, Milford; 2. Kyle James, Ashaway, RI; 3. Tyler Chadwick, Ledyard; 4. Rob Janovic Jr., Waterford; 5. Jeff Rocco, Wallingford; 6. Jeff Pearl, Salem; 7. Ed Puleo, Branford; 8. Joe Gada, Salem; 9. Tommy Barrett, Millis, MA; 10. Al Stone III, Durham; 11. Tyler Jackson, Milford; 12. Nichole Morgillo, Wallingford; 13. Joe Perry, Ashaway, RI; 14. Wendell Dailey, Gales Ferry; 15. Justin Gaydosh, Newtown; 16. Brent Sweet, Monroe; 17. Diego Monahan, Quaker Hill; 18. Rich Brooks, Groton; 19. Jeffrey Gallup, Feeding Hills, MA; 20. Tom Abele Jr., Norwich; 21. Shawn Monahan, Waterford; 22. Adam Gada, Bozrah; 23. Brett Gonyaw, Manchester; 24. Will Schneider, Northport, NY; 25. Rich Duranti, Quaker Hill

NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Bob Valenti Auto Mall Late Models (30-laps): 1. Dillon Moltz, Waterford; 2. Bruce Thomas Jr., Groton; 3. Jeff Smith, Old Lyme; 4. Jason Palmer, Berlin; 5. Anthony Flannery, East Hampton; 6. Glenn Boss, Danielson; 7. Rich Staskowski, Hope Valley, RI; 8. Ryan Morgan, Mystic; 9. Ed Gertsch Jr., East Haven; 10. Joe Curioso, Pawcatuck; 11. Mike Sweeney Jr., Meriden; 12. Robert Leblanc Jr., Norwalk; 13. Rich Duranti, Quaker Hill; 14. Vin Esposito, Seymour; DNS – Tim Jordan, Plainfield

NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Street Stocks (25-laps): 1. Joe Arena, Bristol; 2. Josh Galvin, Franklin; 3. Phil Evans, Uncasville; 4. Walt Hovey Jr., Chaplin; 5. Norm Root Jr., Old Saybrook; 6. Bill McNeil, Preston; 7. Greg Moran Jr., Preston; 8. Dan Darnstaedt, Durham; 9. Jack Aquilina, Oakdale; 10. Mike Caprio Jr., New Haven; 11. Kaitlyn Brice, Manchester; 12. Brandon Plemons, Uncasville; 13. Corey Hutchings, Salem; 14. Geoffrey Nooney, Southwick, MA; 15. Tyler Cinamella, Willimantic; 16. Ted Dupre, Westbrook; 17. Scott Young, Willimantic; DQ – Chris Meyer, North Franklin; DNS – Clifton Hinds, Middletown

NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Mini Stocks (50-laps): 1. Ken Cassidy Jr., Lisbon; 2. Ray Christian III, Norwich; 3. Jeff Cembruch, Wallingford; 4. Joseph Fogarasi, Columbia; 5. Brad Caddick, Wyoming, RI; 6. Christopher Ivory, Oakdale; 7. Christina Kellerman, Stratford; 8. Sean Caron, East Hampton; 9. Jeffrey Lee, Uncasville; 10. Floyd Chesbro, Griswold; 11. Ian Brew, Wood River Junction, RI; 12. Glenn Colvin, Clinton; 13. Garrett Denton, Hope Valley, RI; 14. Wayne Burroughs Jr., Oakdale; 15. Nick Pappacoda, North Branford; 16. Doug Curry, Groton; 17. Bill Leonard, Charlestown, RI; 18. Mark Panaroni, Ivoryton; 19. Joe Liskiewicz, Preston; 20. Phil Evans, Uncasville; 21. Chris Garside, Waterford; DNS – Ken Lyke III, Orange; DQ – Dale Sherman, Charlestown, RI; DQ – Chris Williams, Waterford

Northeast Mini Stock Tour (50-laps): 1. Shawn Swallow, Stark, NH; 2. Mark Panaroni, Ivoryton; 3. Danny Field, Deep River; 4. Louis Maher, North Brookfield, MA; 5. Ian Brew, Wood River Junction, RI; 6. Chris Williams, Waterford; 7. Glen Thomas Jr., Groton; 8. Christopher Ivory, Oakdale; 9. Joe Liskiewicz, Preston; 10. Matt Sonnhalter, East Thetford, VT; 11. Roger Ducharme, Foster, RI; 12. Cristofer King, Derry, NH; 13. Cory Dentino, Lancaster, MA; 14. Jeffrey Lee, Uncasville; 15. Chris Thomas, East Hampton; 16. Pete Zaikarite, Niantic; 17. Mitchell Bombard, Willimantic; 18. Chris Lee, Uncasville; 19. John Kelly, New London; 20. Brad Caddick, Wyoming, RI; 21. Nick Maniatis, Hooksett, NH; 22. Garrett Denton, Hope Valley, RI; 23. Scott Limkemann, East Lyme

Pro 4 Modifieds of New England (25-laps) top-five: 1. Dave Richardi, North Easton, MA; 2. Kurt Vigeant; 3. Rob Richardi Jr., North Easton, MA; 4. Robin Berghman, East Providence, RI; 5. Phil Lausier, Hudson, NH

X-Cars Wild ‘n Wednesday Series (20-laps): 1. Wayne Shifflett, Preston; 2. Scott Limkemann, East Lyme; 3. Mitchell Bombard, Willimantic; 4. Brad Voglesong, Middletown; 5. John Bowes, Willington; 6. Glen Thomas Jr., Groton; 7. Christopher Thomas, East Hampton; 8. Onie Pierce, Norwich; 9. Mike Trask, Plainfield; 10. Randy Johnston, Westerly, RI; 11. Craig Miner, Higganum; 12. Larry Loomis, Moosup; 13. Melissa Clavette, Plainfield; 14. Christopher Lee, Uncasville; 15. Eddie Loomis, Plainfield; 16. Kim Bickford; Griswold; 17. Nate Bryington, Webster, MA; 18. Chuck McDonald, Groton; 19. Zach Ezzell, Plainfield; 20. Kristie Hamel, Jewett City; DNS – Frank Shepard, Bozrah