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Photo by TK Race Photo
WATERFORD – Local Speedbowl stars had their time to shine in front of a capacity crowd that came with the addition of the Monaco Modified Tri-Track Series first visit since 2016. The temperature was hot but the action was hotter with Andrew Molleur and Kyle Gero being untouchable in the SK Modifieds and Trucks, PJ Evans going back to back in the INEX Legend Cars, and Jason Palmer taking the top spot in a thrilling Late Model event.
An opening lap crash in the SK Modifieds put Tim Jordan hard into the wall and removed Mike Christopher Jr. from competition in his return to the bowl this season. When racing resumed, Dana DiMatteo took off to an early lead. Andrew Molleur with Todd Owen directly behind him was hot on DiMatteo’s tail. Molleur wasted no time getting by DiMatteo with a bottom shot move 10 laps in, Owen tried to follow but couldn’t complete the pass until 2 laps later. Molleur seemed unbeatable until a caution with 12 to go for a spinning Cody Rose re-racked the field. However, when the field went green Molleur took back his dominant position in the top spot and went on to score the win.
Charles Bailey III got the advantage over pole sitter Jason Williams who scored fastest time in qualifying in the Late Models. Williams immediately found himself under pressure when a failed 3 wide attempt shuffled the pack of cars including Jason Palmer, Ray Christian III, Jordan Hadley, and more. Christian would eventually try to cross over Bailey in the corner but found that the opening available was much smaller than he needed, sending Christian around and to the rear on lap 9 of the 30 lap race. Bailey and Palmer dueled side by side until the halfway point when Bailey would finally clear Palmer. Williams still in the mix tried to make an attempt on Palmer but Christian took to the outside to pass Williams when another caution flew with 10 to go. This time, Palmer was able to clear Bailey for the lead and Christian was in a hurry. The classic Palmer versus Christian on track battle took place once again, and with very minimal contact it was Palmer scoring his 89th career track win, putting him 5th on the Speedbowl’s all time win list.
One week removed from a thrilling 3 Truck battle for the win, Kyle Gero wasn’t going to be denied again. Gero worked his way into the lead on lap 7 and never looked back earning his second trophy of the season.
After a lap 1 melee in the Legend Cars, PJ Evans launched into the lead and seemed to have the race win in his lap but he had some hurdles to clear. Lapped traffic played a part in his path to victory with 6 to go which put Dylan Freeman on his outside. A caution on the final lap for a car stopped just short of the finish line setup a green white checkered which allowed runner up Brody Monahan to put the bumper on Evans, but didn’t have enough time to make a move. Evans went on to win 2 in a row and the Regional Qualifier for INEX.
Local hero Dana DiMatteo was the best of 44 cars who showed up to compete in the Monaco Modified Tri-Track Series 100 lap main event, scoring his first tour-type modified win against the biggest names in the region.
Autograph August is back at the Speedbowl! This Wednesday August 10th fans will be able to meet the stars of the Legend Cars and Bandoleros. We will also welcome the American Vintage Modifieds. Then again next Saturday August 13th for the Fast 3 Series finale for SK Modifieds, Late Models, Street Stocks, Mini Stocks, and Trucks. Keep up with us at www.speedbowlct.com, on Facebook at The New London-Waterford Speedbowl, or on Twitter @SpeedbowlCT.
RESULTS
SK Modifieds (35 Laps): 1. 35-Andrew Molleur[5]; 2. 81-Todd Owen[7]; 3. 6CT-Dana DiMatteo[3]; 4. 51-Rob Janovic Jr[10]; 5. 11CT-Eric Berndt[6]; 6. 25-Anthony Flannery[2]; 7. 89-Bill Anderson[1]; 8. 72-Adam Gada[12]; 9. 62-Cody Rose[11]; 10. 49-John Bercham[13]; 11. 15-Jeff Fialkovich[14]; 12. 66-Wendell Dailey[15]; 13. 47-Timmy Jordan[4]; 14. 82-Mike Christopher Jr[8]; 15. (DNS) 9-Paul Buzel
Late Models (30 Laps): 1. 17-Jason Palmer[4]; 2. 93CT-Raymond Christian[6]; 3. 94CT-Charles Bailey III[2]; 4. 32-Jason Williams[1]; 5. 2-Derryck Anderson Jr[7]; 6. 37-Jordan Hadley[3]; 7. 50RI-Michael Benevides[9]; 8. 2CT-Douglas Curry[8]; 9. 4CT-Charles Bailey IV[10]; 10. 9-Keith Scalia[11]; 11. (DQ) 35-Andrew Molleur[5]
Trucks (25 Laps): 1. 19CT-Kyle Gero[2]; 2. 78-Emma Monahan[5]; 3. 47-Todd Taylor[1]; 4. 151-Albert Ouellette[7]; 5. 81CT-Brian Norman[6]; 6. 29-Joshua Stringer[9]; 7. 5-Chris Taylor[4]; 8. 12-Ed Ryan Jr[8]; 9. 6X-Andrew Pellegrini[10]; 10. 81-Tyler Chapman[3]; 11. 52-Mercedes Caron[11]
INEX Legend Cars (25 Laps): 1. 12-PJ Evans[5]; 2. 31-Brody Monahan[6]; 3. 05-Dylan Freeman[3]; 4. 33MA-Ty LeClerc[9]; 5. 89-Dylan Cote[1]; 6. 7X-Patrick Smith[8]; 7. 23-Jordan Rosado[12]; 8. 15-Scott Kinsman[10]; 9. 57-Mike DellaVecchia[11]; 10. 27N-Nicholaus Bulkeley[2]; 11. 86-Scott Limkemann[4]; 12. 91-Riley Paul[7]; 13. (DNS) 44-Cory DiMatteo
