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08/10/2011 |
FOURTH ANNUAL
WINGS & WHEELS
SET FOR SATURDAY AT SPEEDBOWL |
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In
what has become an annual August tradition in Connecticut, Waterford
Speedbowl is set to host the 4th annual “Wings & Wheels” open-wheel
extravaganza this Saturday, August 13th. The fastest short track racecars in
the region roar into the Connecticut shoreline for a blockbuster night of
motorsports at the ultra-quick three-eighths mile Speedbowl. The ISMA
Supermodifieds (50-laps) and Valenti Modified Racing Series (100-laps) each
make their second and final appearances of the year at the ‘Bowl, while the
NEMA Midgets (25-laps) will make their third and final visit on the season.
They join the Speedbowl’s own NASCAR Whelen All-American Series SK Modified®
division (35-laps) for a night of intense speed and excitement.
ISMA returns after staging some epic battles over the summer months. Back on
May 28th, the winged wonders kicked off their 2011 season at the Speedbowl
with veteran competitor Russ Wood taking down the win in a race ended by
heavy fog on lap-47, three circuits shy of its scheduled distance. Since
that event, six more drivers including the likes of Chris Perley, Ted
Christopher and Johnny Benson Jr. have reached victory lane in nine series
events to date. Perley and Lou Cicconi are the only repeat winners.
Speedbowl fans last saw the Valenti Modified Racing Series at the track as
part of the season opening Budweiser Blastoff in early April. Doug Coby and
Chris Pasteryak put on a stellar duel, with Pasteryak seizing opportunity
late in the race to pass Coby to go on to a home track triumph. Pasteryak
leads the series points and is the only repeat winner thus far in 2011. The
past two series races have seen first time winners take the checkered flag,
including former Speedbowl regular Mike Holdridge. He reached victory lane
this past Saturday at Beech Ridge Speedway in Maine.
The NEMA Midgets race in a special event – the prestigious Angelilo Memorial
Race – honoring the memory of long-time owners and officers Gene and Marilyn
Angelilo. The driver of the legendary Dumo’s Desire #45, Russ Stoehr, leads
the points and already has a Speedbowl win on this season’s resume. Keith
Botelho beat Stoehr at NEMA’s last ‘Bowl visit in July.
The current NASCAR Whelen All-American Series national points leader and
defending national champion Keith Rocco returns to action in the Speedbowl’s
SK Modified® field in pursuit of his 10th victory on the season. Rocco once
again leads the division in both wins (9) and the season championship points
standings. Jeff Pearl, Tyler Chadwick, Rob Janovic and Kyle James lead the
list of those looking to keep Rocco out of victory lane for a second
straight week.
Each of the four divisions in action Saturday evening tour the two-groove
Speedbowl oval at speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour. The Supers and
Midgets, buoyed by roll cage mounted wings and light-weight fabrication will
see laps in the 12 second bracket. The heavier SK’s and Modified Racing
Series will hover in the low 14 second range. Each division’s racers are
capable of using the Speedbowl’s outside groove very well, assuring fans
eager to see exciting side-by-side racing will not be disappointed.
Racing begins on Saturday with qualifying heats for all four divisions at
5:00pm. Main events are scheduled to begin at 7:00pm. Pricing is set at $34
for adult grandstands admission with youth age 6-14 just $10. Kids 5 & under
are free as always at the Speedbowl, and the facility offers acres of free
parking as well as overnight parking. Spectator grandstands will open at
1:00pm, just as practice gets underway. Pit gates open at 12:00pm. More
information is available by visiting
Speedbowl.com
from a home computer or mobile phone. |
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Source: Brian
Darling / Waterford Speedbowl
Posted:
August 10, 2011 |
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