Craig Lutz celebrates his first career SK Modified victory Saturday at the Waterford Speedbowl
WATERFORD – A week ago Craig Lutz left the Waterford Speedbowl with his SK Modified in pieces after a massive frontstretch crash.
Saturday he made all the work it took to get that car back together and back on the racetrack pay off in the best way possible.
Before Saturday’s events at the Waterford Speedbowl, Lutz said he was never more determined to win a race and that determination showed immensely.
Lutz held off Keith Rocco in a gripping final five lap duel to win the 35-lap NASCAR Whelen All-American Series SK Modified feature Saturday at Waterford.
It was the first career victory at Waterford for Lutz, of Miller Place, N.Y.
“It was a night that you can’t make up,” Lutz said. “… You’re racing against the best. It was the best highlight, to beat [Rocco] for the win, it’s just remarkable.
“It’s definitely a surprise. It makes it that much better to have completely demolished a car last week and have everything new on the car, work countless hours to get it done, to finish like this is just amazing.”
Rocco, of Wallingford, was second and Tyler Chadwick of Ledyard third.
“It means so much,” Lutz said. “To come here from [Long Island] and race against the best. Keith Rocco, Chadwick, Teddy Christopher, everybody. I’m just so happy to be here.”
Lutz inherited the top spot with 19 laps to go after contact between leader Diego Monahan and second place Ted Christopher sent Monahan spinning. Christopher was black flagged for rough driving.
With 13 laps remaining Rocco went to the outside of Lutz, but contact in turn four between the two had Rocco saving a sliding car and falling back to third. Rocco went back by Chadwick with laps remaining to set up the late race showdown.
With five laps remaining, Rocco went to the outside of Lutz again. The two came to the start/finish line in a dead heat on laps 32, 33 and 34.
On the final lap, Lutz moved Rocco up slightly out in the final corners and won the drag race to the checkered.
“My car was a little loose going [into the corner] so I used the real estate up,” Lutz said. “Anyone would have. You’re going for your first win. That’s what we’re here to do.”
Said Rocco: He was running me pretty high there. I really need [Chadwick] to give me a little room so I could shove [Lutz] right off the bottom and put him where he was putting me. We didn’t get that break. Good job to Lutz and his team, they work hard.
What a awesome race to watch,They put on a great show for the fans.To run side by side for that many laps clean shows great talent
They black flag someone for “rough riding” this week but no such calls last week when Lutz car got destroyed?
the management and officiating at the speedbowl is just plain horrible. maybe that’s one reason they have such pathetic car counts. congrats to craig lutz for doing what he had to do to get his first win, kid is damn lucky keith didn’t get shot underneath him or woulda been wrecked for sure…lol
As I posted before, no respect for this idiot, it doesn’t matter how many wins be gets from Rocco.
Flabbergasted what is your deal? Why is he an idiot?