Tony Membrino celebrates his SK Light Modified victory Sunday at the New London-Waterford Speedbowl
WATERFORD – Nothing but a thing?
Tony Membrino Jr. is a little worried it might just be reaching that point.
Membrino, the most dominant SK Light Modified driver in the state this season, kept up his blazing run Saturday at the New London-Waterford Speedbowl.
Membrino, of Berlin, held off Corey Barry over the final four laps to win the 25-lap SK Light Modified feature Saturday at the Speedbowl.
Barry, of Plainfield, was second and Andrew Molleur of Shelton third.
It was Membrino’s third victory in three events this season at the Speedbowl. Overall this year Membrino has won seven of eight SK Light Modified events run at the state’s three short tracks. He has won three of four SK Light Modified events at Stafford Motor Speedway and the one event run at Thompson Speedway. In his only non-win, on May 27 at Stafford, Membrino was fourth.
“I’m stoked,” Membrino said. “I’m beyond stoked. It’s tough. It’s almost like my level of excitement is starting to drop. I don’t want to say it’s getting routine, but it’s starting to feel that way. But it’s almost like a numb excitement. I can’t believe we’re on this kind of a roll. It’s just a testament to all the blood, sweat and tears we put into this and the pennies we can save up to do it. It’s being able to do this.”
But the victory Saturday wasn’t without some late drama.
On a restart with 13 laps left Membrino got by Chris Gombos to move to second place behind Chris Correll.
With eight laps left Membrino went by Correll off of turn four to take over the lead, with Barry moving to second.
Barry stayed to the outside of Membrino on a restart with four laps left, but a lap later contact between the two in turn three sent Barry up the track and allowed Membrino to pull away.
Barry wasn’t pleased with Membrino’s tactics.
“I guess that’s how he wants to race,” Barry said. “I’ll remember that. No hard feelings, that’s racing. I’ve never even raced side-by-side with him before. I don’t know if he’s got a grudge against me but, I don’t know. It kind of sucks that I gave him all the room in the world and he gave me none.”
Membrino didn’t deny using up Barry.
“I was a little greedy,” Membrino said. “The first lap or so of that last run, I could see he had an advantage on me outside. We haven’t really figured our car 100 percent out as far as this track goes. So the rear kind of had a mind of its own. He was getting better drive up off [the corners] and sooner or later that’s going to give him an advantage going [into the corner]. It’s less than five laps to go so I had to do what I had to do, but I didn’t want to wreck him and I didn’t wreck him. I understand if he’s a little frustrated. I would be too. I’ve been on the receiving end of that every single race I’ve been in here. It’s just the way it is and I’ll understand if I’m on the receiving end of his deal. It was just hard racing for the win. I’m sure he would do the same.”
Or you could have just run him clean and let the fastest car show.its amazing how everytime a guy over drives his car and runs someone up the track the quote is “I’m sure he would do the same”.No Tony he actually raced you clean but nice try.
It’s hard racing, good job Tony Jr
Couldn’t agree more Brian n
He got a fair car man
5tires
Barry had sticker tires on for the feature,should have been able to pass,the 44 isnt going to just move over,he used him up a little.Thats the drivers job,stop whinning corey,just mad u got some competition this year.How u going to make the move to SK s with that mentality.Suck it up Buttercup.U have it easy now,how u going to feel when 20 cars use u up.
If I hired a driver and he said, ” I did what I had to do,” and did not race the other guy cleanly, I’d not be happy. If he did it again…used the other guy up, how ever you want to interpret it…banged front wheels on the re-start first, I’d get rid of him. Now I’m willing to go out on a limb here. I bet these two guys get together Hard in the next few weeks. It will stink because I like both families, and crashing costs money. But if all these racers today think they are really talented, Prove it.
No SK lights AGAIN this week anyway. Seems like they are off schedule alot so far this year.
Tony is going to do whatever it takes until he gets a full time ride in an SK at Stafford. Lets just hope the freshmen like the 176 don’t follow suit but it seems to be headed there after he took out the 87 from third place last week.
I would really like to see these two guys get together and talk as they are very talented kids with well prepared cars. You will probably find there are no real issues between them. No need to wreck each other which costs money and creates increased aggression, so just race clean and respectable and may the best car win.