(Press Release from New London-Waterford Speedbowl)
Here are three words that local race fans have been waiting to hear for quite a while.
Bo is back.
Bo Gunning of Bethlehem, Conn., a three-time SK Modified champion at Stafford Motor Speedway, announced he is coming back to compete on a weekly basis for the first time since the 2007 season.
This time, however, Gunning’s base of operation will be the New London Waterford Speedbowl. He will be driving the No. 22 SK Modified owned by David Jackson and driven in the past by Tyler Jackson.
Gunning, 58, said the entire car has received a makeover and is just about ready to go.
And Gunning is ready to go.
“The bowl is the place to be,” Gunning said. “The guys there are doing a great job and I want to be a part of it. And Saturday nights fits in well with my schedule.”
Gunning said before he decided to go all-in and return to racing, he talked with his friends.
“I sat down with them and said ‘do you think I’m crazy about wanting to come back,”’ Gunning said. “And they said absolutely not. And that’s the way I feel about it too.”
Gunning said some of his old crew members, including his brother Tommy, has joined forces with the David and Ed Jackson.
“It’s a group effort,” Gunning said. “None of us had enough money to do it on our own, so we all got together, and now we’ll see what happens.”
While Gunning is best known for his exploits at Stafford and Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park, he has one career win at Waterford that he collected back in the days when Waterford was part of a Tri-track series with Stafford and Thompson.
The last time Gunning competed was in an SK Light race at Waterford in 2012. He says he’s not worried, however, about being rusty.
“We are putting all the pieces in place, and they’re all the best pieces,” Gunning said. “I’ve call in a lot of favors and this car really is going to be nice.”
Valley Auto Machine will be providing the power for Gunning and he’s working on other sponsorship deals.
“David Jackson and his team has raced for quite a bit, and he said no one has really look at them as real racers,” Gunning said. “They said if they put me in the car, they’ll get noticed. I think we’re going to make it exciting.
Gunning will be reunited with one of his old rivals, Ted Christopher, who also competes weekly at the Speedbowl. The two were engaged in many exciting races all across Connecticut.
“I’m looking forward to running with Teddy again,” Gunning said. “I think it will be a lot of fun and be good for the track.”
Although Gunning hasn’t been racing regularly for a while, he said one thing hasn’t changed.
“I still want to win,” Gunning said, “If I didn’t think we could win, I wouldn’t be coming back.”
During the past few years, Gunning has helped his nephew, Nick Salva, a driver in Stafford’s SK Light division. Salva is moving to the Whelen Modified Tour this season and Gunning will continue to help him. And Salva will be spotting for Gunning at the Bowl.
“It’s still a team deal for me,” Gunning said, “except that I’m part of two teams.”
And one of those teams can’t wait for the 2016 season to get started at the Speedbowl.
Just what the place needs that old washed up hack running there.
We await with bated breath for Ted Christopher’s first words when he learns that Bo is back…
Bob Potter returning and now Bo Gunning?! Jeez did we step into the Hot Tub Time Machine?!
Over/Under of number of features until Gunning is suspended / fired from team is: 6.5
oh gawd…you’ll be paying to get in
Business is about to pick up.
Remember when Bo went the wrong way after TC and trashed half the field?I do.Get ready for hackfest 2016.
Only Bo knows Bo, stir it up a little in the mods I like that )
lets get John Anderson, Chris Jones and James Civali at the bowl
You don’t win championships being a hack ,it takes a little bit of consistency ,at least they’ll know if car go’s
OH BOY !!
Glad to see you back you well do very good good luck
Wow. That is pretty cool. If an SK feature at Waterford with Teddy AND Bo Gunning fails to excite you, then I don’t think you fully grasp racing in Connecticut.
wow other people post their opinion and it gets posted I tried and get shut out whatever happened to freedom of speech?? I know your site but nothing bad was said….
Modfan,
No comment posted by anyone with your nickname, e-mail address or IP address was deleted so I’m not exactly sure what you’re getting at here. You’ve left one comment previously, on Feb. 2, 2016, and it was approved and published.
Bo races others as they race Bo. Say what you will, there isn’t anyone smoother behind the wheel of a mod. This is going to be one hell of a season!
This just in !!!!!!
Ernie Irvan returning to Cup in 2016.
Stay tuned for further details…………….
I remember when Bo did that 450 Mike. I believe it was the 150 and he was driving the TS Haulers #12. I just hope the 22 he’ll be driving will be competitive. When the kid drove it he had one decent run going when he started on the pole but never did much after that.