Jacob Perry celebrates his second consecutive Mini Stock victory Saturday at the New London-Waterford Speedbowl
WATERFORD – At the beginning of the 2016 season 14-year old New London-Waterford Speedbowl Mini Stock division rookie Jacob Perry was feeling a little intimidated by making the jump from the youth Bandolero ranks to weekly division adult feature racing.
Saturday night at the Speedbowl Perry’s confidence level was so high he was jokingly asking to take over his dad’s ride in the track’s premier SK Modified division.
Winning has a way of doing that, and winning has become a regular occurrence for Perry lately at the shoreline oval.
Perry won for the second consecutive week in the 25-lap Mini Stock feature Saturday at the New London-Waterford Speedbowl.
It was the third victory overall this season for Perry, of Pawcatuck, who scored his first victory in the division on July 16.
“The confidence level at the beginning of the year was pretty low,” Perry said. “I’ve never driven a full-size car or a [standard transmission], so it was pretty intimidating actually jumping from a Bandolero to a Mini Stock. It was a pretty big deal. … Being able to be up front like this amazing.”
In victory lane Perry had a question for his dad Dennis, who races in the SK Modified division at the Speedbowl.
“I know my dad said two wins for a Late Model?” Perry said. “Does three mean I get to take his [SK Modified] out tonight?”
Wayne Burroughs Jr. of Oakdale was second and Dave Trudeau of Mansfield third.
“Being able to get to three [wins] against guys like Dave Trudeau and Ken Cassidy Jr. and Wayne Burroughs Jr. is really an honor,” Perry said. “It’s awesome being able to race these guys every week and have them respect me so much.”
Trudeau led from the start with Perry moving to second early in the event.
After hounding Trudeau for five laps, Perry found a way under him to take over the lead with 12 laps remaining. From there it was Perry cruising, extending his lead lap after lap to the checkered.
“I don’t know, I just saw David sliding around and I had to grab my chance when I saw it,” Perry said. “Me and Dave put on a great battle for the fans every week and I can’t thank him enough for racing me with so much respect. It really means a lot.”
Perry also passed Trudeau for the lead to win last week.
“It’s time to take the air out of his tires,” Trudeau said. “He’s a good little driver with a fast car, good motor and all that. We were fast, but we over adjusted again. Now we’re too loose. Last week we were too tight. Maybe next week we’ll get it right and keep it up front.”
This kid is the BEST young driver of his age group 14-15 period!