Budweiser Blastoff Day 1 in the Books
Press release from the New London Waterford Speedbowl
Contact Mike Serluca at 860-442-7233
WATERFORD –While other drivers razzled and dazzled their way to the front of the field during the first half of the Valenti Modified Series 100 at New London Waterford Speedbowl, Rowan Pennink had a different philosophy — he wanted to be at his best at the end of the race.
That patient approach paid off. He took the lead with 26 laps remaining by blasting his way around leader Woody Pitkat. He held on the rest of the way to rack up his second win in three Valenti races this season to highlight the action in Day 1 of the Speedbowl Blastoff, presented by Levine Distributors.
Other opening day winners included Tyler Barry in the Bandoleros, Paul Scally in the NEMA Midgets, Buddy Sloade in the American Three-Quarter Midgets, Avery Stohr in the NEMA Lights, Brett Meservey in the Ct. Pro 4Modifieds, Ray Reed in the Super X Cars and Corey Caddick in the X Cars.
Day 2 continues Sunday with seven features, including an 80-lap SK Modified race that will pay more than $3,000 to the winner. Also on the card will be features for the SK Lights, The Late Models, the Sportsmen, the Mini-Stocks, the Legends and the Speedbowl Trucks.
Pennink started the Valenti Race slowly. Eric Goodale led for the first 49 laps before losing the lead to Ron Silk. Pitkat captured the lead on lap 67, but Pennink, despite making an early pit stop, was able to manhandle his way through the field. He got the jump on Pitkat on a lap 74 restart and pulled away from the field the rest of the way.Anthony Flannery ran a strong second and Anthony Nocella was third.
\Brett Meservy wasted little time to take the lead from Dana Willis as he was in total control of the Pro Four Modified feature.
Buddy Sload started in American three-Quarter Midget feature in the front row, but when a yellow flag came out on lap No. 12, he was forced to deal with Matt Janish on a double file restart. Janish stayed with him for a while, but Sload eventually pulled away to gain the win.
Avery Stohr, who competed in the TQ race, flipped his car midway through the race and was knocked out of the competition.
It didn’t take him long to regroup. He dominated the NEMA Light feature, winning by a huge margin.
Paul Scally had two rough practice sessions in the NEMA Midgets, suffering damage to his car. He had no headaches in the feature, however, taking the lead on lap 2 and running and hiding from the rest of the field.
Ray Reed made a bold move underneath Dave Yardley with 10 laps to go to win the Super X Car feature.
Corey Caddick lost the lead in the X-car feature but got it back from Eddie Loomis with five laps to go to chalk up his first ever Speedbowl wini the X car feature.
Tyler Barry rifled his way underneath Ethan Simmons with seven laps left to post his second career Bandolero feature win.
The action starts today with a pit party at 11 a.m., followed by feature racing at 1 p.m.
