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The Trend of First Time Winners Continue
Photos by TK Race Photo
WATERFORD — It was a hot one at the New London-Waterford Speedbowl that featured some intense action throughout the evening. Eric Berndt, Ray Christian III and Brody Monahan all took their third wins of the season in the SK Modifieds®, Late Models, and INEX Legend Cars. Shawn Gaedeke doubled up in the Street Stocks, both Kyle Gero and Sam Mesick scored their first ever wins in the Trucks and Mini Stocks, and Gary Byington won the American Vintage Modifieds.
Dana DiMatteo got off to a hot start in the 35 Lap SK Modified® feature leading the way for the first ten laps holding off the likes of Andrew Molleur and Eric Berndt. It was after an incident that collected veteran driver Rob Janovic Jr that re-racked the field, where Berndt got the advantage on the restart over DiMatteo. He set the pace for the remainder of the event and DiMatteo was able to hold off 2020 Champion Tim Jordan over the last stretch of the race to finish in the runner up position.
This was the first regular distance race Berndt won this season, as the other two were the extra distance Blast Off and Fast 3 Series events.
The Late Model feature was almost a carbon copy of the 2021 season, featuring an intense battle between defending champion Jason Palmer and runner up Ray Christian III. The father-son duo of Paul and Isaiah Newcomb took the field to green but Palmer wasted no time making a 3 wide bid on Isaiah for second, which resulted in him finishing the night on the hook. Paul gave Palmer the top side on the restart, where we’ve seen him be at his best. While Palmer led, Christian would slice and dice his way through the field until we saw that familiar side-by-side battle for the lead for 6 laps before Christian got out front. He would stay there and drift his way underneath the checkered flags to score the win.
After a week off the drivers of the Street Stock division were ready to get back at it. All time win leader Al Stone III got off to an early lead but left the door open down low for Shawn Gaedeke to get a nose in. The pair would run side by side for a few circuits until Gaedeke cleared Stone and took Brian Norman with him. The three would run in line for the final 20 laps and Gaedeke had kept it smooth enough to see the checkered flag for the 2nd time this season.
In the exciting Speedbowl Truck division, Todd Taylor shot out to an early lead while the middle of the pack jockeyed for position. A lap 6 restart cut Taylor’s lead down and sent him into the lion’s den where a side-by-side battle with Andrew Morin would ensue. The two traded paint briefly and that hesitation opened the door for Kyle Gero to make a three wide attempt at the lead. A restart following the lead change of a stalled Tyler Chapman gave Taylor the lead back, but it was after a 3 car pile up on the front straight that gave Gero a chance back at the lead after another side by side battle, this time from the outside groove. He held off Taylor and led the final 10 laps to win his first ever Truck race.
“It has been a long time coming” said Gero.
Brody Monahan was in his own zip code in the 25 lap INEX Legend Car race even after a late race restart to earn his third win of the season.
Sam Mesick earned his first career Mini Stock win after post-race technical inspection deemed Bill Sylvia out of spec.
Gary Byington won the 15 Lap K& H Dumpsters American Vintage Modified race.
The Speedbowl is back in action next Saturday night for a special non-points SK Light race paying $1,250 to win. The Late Models and Street Stocks will be making up their postponed events from May 14th. There will also be Mini Stocks and INEX Legend Cars.
To stay up to date with all the happenings, you can visit www.speedbowlct.com, Facebook at New London-Waterford Speedbowl, or Twitter @SpeedbowlCT.
