Some new faces reached Speedbowl Victory Lane in Wednesday’s Wild ‘n Wacky race program at the popular Waterford oval. Jason Palmer of Berlin put an end to Anthony Flannery’s domination of the Legends Cars thus far this season, winning his first race this year. Corey Dimatteo of Farmington was a first-ever Speedbowl winner, taking the win in the Bandolero’s. Frank Alessio of Colchester checkered his first Super X-Car race of the year, while Groton competitor Glen Thomas Jr. was a repeat winner in the X-Cars. Kathy Civardi of Ledyard Noank won her second Women on Wheels event to round out the winner’s circle.
Peter Cirilli led the opening lap of the 20-lap Legends Cars race before Dennis Pantani took over on the inside. Cirilli got tangled up off turn two collecting Nick Ladyga into the front chute wall to bring out the first caution flag on lap two.
Pantani led on the restart for one more lap before Anthony Flannery spun in turn four, collecting Andrew Carpenter and Cirilli with all the competitors making heavy contact. Each were towed from the track, halting Flannery’s chance at his 14th consecutive win.
Dana Dimatteo took over the lead from Pantani following the restart to the race. Dimatteo had his hands full over the second half of the event holding back the challenges of Palmer after he charged through the field to second position. Palmer tried to make a move to the bottom of the track on Dimatteo for several circuits. He finally made the maneuver stick, racing alongside and eventually edging ahead of Dimatteo on lap 15.
From there Palmer raced to his first win of the season and 50th of his Speedbowl career. Dimatteo finished second ahead of Ed Field. Troy Talman ran strong to finish fourth with Pantani finishing fifth.
Taylor Martin took the lead on lap one of the Bandolero race, coming from her third starting position in the race. Dimatteo moved to the inside of Martin entering turn one to take over on lap two of the 20-lap race. Behind Martin, Ken Morin, Nick Sowa and Tyler Chalue were swapping positions inside the top five. Morin and Sowa found their past Martin on lap five and quickly closed on Dimatteo out front.
The top three raced nose to tail as the race stayed under green through halfway. Morin was draped all over the rear bumper of Dimatteo when Martin spun exiting turn two on lap 11, bringing out the first caution flag of the race.
On the restart Morin and Sowa continued to pressure Dimatteo. He survived one more restart and held tough on the bottom of the track to maintain control of the race. Over each of the final two laps, Morin dipped low exiting turn four to challenge Dimatteo but the youngster was able to win his first career Speedbowl victory by a half car length advantage. Sowa was close behind in third, followed by early leader Martin and Joey Ternullo as the top-five finishers.
For more information about Wild ‘n Wacky Wednesday and the calendar of events, please visit www.speedbowl.com or contact track offices at 860.442.1585.
Waterford Speedbowl 7/7 Wild ‘n Wacky Wednesday Results:
Legends Cars (20-laps): 1. Jason Palmer, Berlin; 2. Dana DiMatteo, Farmington; 3. Edward Field, Deep River; 4. Troy Talman, Oxford, MA; 5. Dennis Pantani, Branford; 6. Carlo Blandina, Milford; 7. Joey Mucciaeciaro, Wolcott; 8. Arthur Marrero, Baltic; 9. Anthony Flannery, East Hampton; 10. Matthew Carpenter, Auburn, MA; 11. Peter Cirilli, Farmington; 12. Nick Laydga, Voluntown
Point Standings after nine events: 1. Flannery, 474; 2. Dimatteo, 390; 3. Field, 384; 4. Blandina, 344; 5. Pantani, 292; 6. Giarratana, 286; 7. Mucciacciaro, 282; 8. Garbo, 242; 9. Ladyga, 236; 10. Spillers, 220
Bandolero’s (20-laps): 1. Corey Dimatteo, Farmington; 2. Kenneth Morin Jr, Old Saybrook; 3. Nicholas Sowa, Middletown; 4. Taylor Martin, Windham, NH; 5. Joey Ternullo, Middletown; 6. Tyler Chalue, Dudley, MA; 7. Daniel Stolte, Northbridge; 8. Jordan Churchill, Lisbon; 9. Jordan Lamothe, Woodstock; 10. Garret Denton, Hope Valley, RI; 11. Rachel Forte, Douglas, MA; 12. Chace Wood, Danielson; 13. Andrew Carpenter, Auburn, MA
Point Standings after nine events: 1. Martin, 452; 2. Chalue, 355; 3. Grala, 318; 4. Morin, 310; 5. Ternullo, 303; 6. Denton, 288; 7. Rachel Forte, 286; 8. Dimatteo, 285; 9. Carpenter, 276; 10. Sowa, 274