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08/07/2014 |
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WINGS &
WHEELS AT SPEEDBOWL THIS SATURDAY
Speed On Display
As ISMA, NEMA, Valenti Modified Racing Series
Highlight Event Card |
 In
what has become a summer tradition for motorsports
enthusiasts across the northeast, Waterford
Speedbowl hosts the 7th annual Wings & Wheels event
on Saturday. The popular event combines the
electrifying speeds of the fastest asphalt short
track racing machines across the country. Race fans
will be treated to the thrill of open-wheeled racing
along with extraordinary speeds at the three-eighths
mile shoreline oval. The International Supermodified
Association (ISMA), Northeastern Midget Association
(NEMA) and Valenti Modified Racing Series all make
stops on their summer tour, joining the Speedbowl’s
own NASCAR Whelen All-American Series SK Modified®
and SK Light Modified divisions for a unique pairing
of race divisions.
ISMA makes its only Speedbowl appearance of 2014 at
Saturday’s event. Rob Summers, a former Speedbowl
track champion in the SK Modifieds®, leads the
series championship standings. Jon McKennedy is the
defending race winner and closely trails Summers in
the season standings. ISMA Supermodifieds are
lightning quick on the stop watch with speeds in the
120-mph plus range at corner entry, averaging over
107-mph on the tight three-eighths mile oval. They
will compete in a 50-lap race Saturday.
The Valenti Modified Racing Series returns for the
second of three 2014 appearances, but first since
opening the season back in April. They will race for
100 green flag laps Saturday in what shapes up to be
a hotly contested event. Speedbowl standout Keith
Rocco used his home track expertise to take down the
win and is a favorite headed into Wings & Wheels.
Several series competitors are former Speedbowl
standouts, including two-time champion Chris
Pasteryak, just nine points out of the lead seeking
another title. Like Summers, Pasteryak is a graduate
of the Speedbowl’s SK Modified® ranks.
In a very tight series title chase, Justin
Bonsignore leads last year’s champion Rowan Pennink
by just one mark. Todd Szegedy, yet another modified
standout, is also well positioned for a title run.
Several other series drivers look towards Waterford
as a homecoming, including Max Zachem and Dave
Etheridge, along with recent SK Modified® winners
Jeff Pearl, Tom Abele Jr., Woody Pitkat and Kyle
James as expected entries. Lap times from the
Valenti Modifieds could dip into the 13-second
bracket, keeping with the theme of speed and open
wheels.
The NEMA Midgets pay homage Saturday to long-time
car owner and former club president Gene Angelillo,
along with his wife Marilyn. The prestigious
Angelillo Memorial 25-lapper is one of the
highlights of the NEMA season. NEMA races at
Waterford are always lightning-quick. The last
series appearance, just two weeks ago, was completed
in under ten minutes with Seth Carlson taking
victory. NEMA’s benchmark is the 12-second bracket,
joining ISMA in the elite speed category. The NEMA
Lites will also compete in a 25-lap race on
Saturday.
Joining ISMA, NEMA and the Valenti Modified Racing
Series will be the Speedbowl’s SK Modified® and SK
Light Modified divisions. SK Modified® point leader
Keith Rocco seeks his 100th career Speedbowl win. He
has a chance if he wins both the SK Modified® and
Valenti Modified Racing Series features and would
become just the third driver in track history to
achieve the feat. Six drivers have visited the
winner’s circle during the year. In the SK Lights,
five different drivers have won thus far in 2014.
Racing begins Saturday with qualifying heats at
5:00pm. Main events are scheduled to begin at
6:35pm. Pricing is set at $38.00 for adult
grandstands admission with youth age 6-14 just
$10.00. Kids age five & under are admitted free and
the facility offers acres of free parking as well as
overnight parking. Pit gates open at 11:00am while
spectator grandstands open at 1:00pm. More
information is available by visiting Speedbowl.com
from a home computer or mobile device. |
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Source: Brian Darling / Waterford Speedbowl
Posted:
August 7, 2014 |
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