This week at the Speedbowl: featuring Todd Owen

Owen’s SK strategy to remain the same

WATERFORD — The date for the 80-lap Speedbowl Blastoff has been changed.

Todd Owen, however, says his strategy won’t change — it’s good for any long-distance race.

“I just want to try and survive and be there at the end,” Owen said. “There were a small amount of cars last week, but they’re all good cars. You have to be at your best.”

The 80-lap SK showdown, which was rained out last week, will be the crown jewel of this week’s racing card at the New London Waterford Speedbowl, which also features the completion of last week’s Sportsman feature, which was suspended after nine laps with Phil Evans in the lead.

Regularly scheduled features include a 30-lap Late Model feature, a 25-lap SK Light race, a 25-lap Speedbowl Truck feature, and a 25-lap Mini-Stock event.

The SK race will be a lucrative one — a purse of more than $17,000 and a winner’s share of more than $4,000.

“I think it’s awesome,” Owen said. “Anytime you can race for more money is a good thing. I love money. But I hope that big purse doesn’t make people drive crazy. You still have to be there at the end.”

Some drivers may treat an 80-lap race as a sprint race. Owen, however, has a different game plan.

“Maybe some guys will go out hard, but the smart guys are going to pace themselves in the beginning,” Owen said. “They key is to be there on Lap 80.”

The driver of the Cooker Construction No. 81 has the same car in which he competed in last year and finished third in the points.

“It seemed good in practice until we put new tires on the car, and then it slowed down,” Owen said. “I don’t know why. We didn’t get a lot of practice time. But maybe things will change on Saturday.”

Owen will start seventh in the field by virtue of his performance in-group qualifying. Dylan Izzo will be on the pole and Rob Janovic Jr. will be alongside in the front row.

It will be the first step in a journey Owen hopes will lead to a Speedbowl championship.

”We’re racing at three tracks and we’re going to try to win three championships,” Owen said. “If Keith Rocco can do it, why can’t I?”

A good run in the most lucrative race of the season will keep those goals in sight.

Drag debut

Many people dream about taking their personal car and making one fast lap around the legendary New London-Waterford Speedbowl, one of New England’s most historic racing facilities.

On Saturday, however, that won’t be a dream, it will be reality. You car is welcome to compete in the first Spectator Drags event of 2018, taking place as part of the regular race program.

There is no additional fee to compete, as long as the proper paperwork is submitted. Interested racers can register at the pit sign in both. The event will be limited to the first 20 drivers that sign up.

The participating drivers will compete in a series of one-lap, one-on-one elimination races until two cars are remaining. The two survivors will go head-to-head in a best-of-three series to determine the champion.

So if you think you have a rocket ship for your personal car, bring it to the Speedbowl on Saturday to find out just how fast it is.

Seafood at the Speedbowl

Brody’s Seafood Market and Deli, located at 1 Bridge Street in Norwich, will also be located at the Speedbowl Saturday night. It will be hosting a clam bake and selling homemade fritters and clam chowder. Brody also will be giving a $50 bonus to the winner of the 80-lap SK Modified feature and a $25 prize to the 13th place finisher.

Special tribute

Saturday’s SK Modified feature will be brought to the starting line by one of the most iconic race cars in the history of the Speedbowl — the 318 Bomber car that was driven to a 1966 championship by the late Ed Bunnell .

Bunnell, who passed away earlier this month, grabbed 12 wins in his Speedbowl career. In 2000 he was voted as one of the 50 most popular drivers in the first 50 years at the Speedbowl.

The car will be driven on Saturday by Alex Canestrari.

Press release from the New London-Waterford Speedbowl

For more information, contact Mike Serluca at 860-442-7223 or mikes@speedbowlct.com