No GPS Needed. Saturday night the Bowl welcomed the NEMA MIDGETS and NEMA LITES to town. They are the oldest continuously running Series and Division in the New England area. Although the car counts for the Midgets wasn’t as expected there was a Large number of NEMA Lites in the house. Like all forms of motorsports the cost of running these cars has risen significantly through the years and it’s starting to show. These are 1,000 pound machines with alcohol fueled 4 cylinder engines producing incredible horsepower. Mid 13 second times are common here for a lap around the Bowl. Their lite counterparts are no slouches themselves as they run a Ford Focus spec engine putting out some serious numbers as well. In the Lites feature it was longtime NEMA hotshoe Randy Cabral in his very own 47 NEMA LITE simply dominating the field. In the NEMA MIDGET feature it was John Zych doing much of the same as he showed that he was the dominant car on the property on this night. These cars put on a wonderful show and do it right with much give and take and respect. They are so fast though…it is hard to keep up with all the action at times. Please do yourselves a favor and support this series wherever they run.
Kenny Cassidy did not need a GPS to find victory lane in the Trucks on Saturday. He did it coming to the front and outlasting Kyle Gero on a few heated restarts to garner the Checkers. Cassidy was coming of a rough week as last week he was fast but broke a transmission and had to haul it home with nothing to show. Well done to this team as this Truck was on rails and the driver was clearly up to the Task.
Brody Monahan continues to keep his name in the headlines as he was able to outlast a charging Jason Palmer over the final laps of the Late Model Feature. Thats right…….Late Models. After experiencing the agony of defeat last Saturday in the turn 3 fence, young Monahan drove a backup number 55 to the win. He then jumped in his Family’s Truck and finished 3rd. Great Job again by the young gun.
Jake Mongeon came back to the Bowl after being elsewhere and found his spot at the top of the podium in the Legends Feature. This young man goes wherever theres a Legends race and always finishes in the money.
There are not only special drivers but special cars that seem to have a bit of magic built into them. Over time there have been a select few I remember. The Willsberg 5 was a dominant Modified in its day with Greg Sacks and Charlie Jarzombeck at the controls. This car won ALOT. Where ever and whom ever was sitting in the seat. It was a Troyer car and chassis built on the very same jig, in the very same fashion never could duplicate its success. The same could be said for 12 Street Stock owned and maintained by the Norman family. It was Al Stone’s turn Saturday as this car dominated the feature with I believe its 4th or 5th driver at the helm. This is a special car as it has run ammuck in the division. Aaron Plemons and Shawn Gadeke finished 2nd and 3rd.
It was Evan Burgouis in the Chassis Pro 78 winning the SK Lite feature. John O Sullivan and Sami Anderson Played cat and mouse to finish on the podium. Anderson has been fast and consistent all season but has had a run of misfortune with being in the wrong place, wrong time on occasion. Hope her good fortune lasts through the rest of the season.
Anthony Flannery and Eric Berndt swapped the lead a few times during the SK feature but in the end it was Flannery besting Berndt, who at the checkers was sideways and trying everything he could do but fell just short. Kyle James finished 3rd with his first podium of the season. Well done to this team as they are back from a short hiatus with new equipment that they seem to have it sorted out. James a long time competitor is another capable driver who with the right combination can be a real factor.
This Saturday Night will Feature the Jeff “Soup” Civardi Mini Stock Tribute Race. Soup was a longtime supporter of all things Speedbowl and wore every hat at the place. He was a driver, car owner, crew member, professional beer stand critic and patron and an honorary member of the Turn 1 Crew that congregates along the fence area. He was a great and happy guy who was always smiling no matter where you ran into him. Soup was also an accomplished 10 pin bowling ace and his exploits at the track and the bowling alley are stuff of legend. There are still some available lap sponsors needed for this event. Please contact Lisa Voglesong to sponsor a lap or two. The way the Mini’s have been racing this year and with the added purse, there will be some familiar faces as well as some invaders looking for that money and trophy. You dont want to miss this show! Remember to bring a friend to the races.
Comments and Criticisms welcome at scotzo59@gmail.com
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