(Press Release from New London-Waterford Speedbowl)
WATERFORD — Dylan DeCoster of Waterford is attending two graduations this week. On Thursday he’ll graduate from Waterford High.
On Wednesday, however, he experienced a different kind of graduation — he graduated to the list of New London-Waterford Speedbowl winners.
DeCoster started on the pole and led every lap to capture the 25-lap X-Car feature as part of the Speedbowl’s Wild and Wacky Wednesday.
In other action Wednesday, Don Berge, at the age of 55, showed he still knows how to get to victory lane when he overwhelmed he field in the extra-distance 35-lap X-Car feature.
John O’Sullivan survived a frantic battle with Peter Bennett to prevail in the 25-lap Legends feature while Ethan Simmons pulled in his first Bandolero feature victory after the winner was disqualified due to a technical violation.
DeCoster’s first career win didn’t come easily. Eddie Loomis, the point leader, who started 10th in the 26-car field, staged a frantic rally over the final 10 laps and nearly pulled even with DeCoster.
DeCoster, however, found the fortitude to hold him off.
“I’ve been getting advice all year from big name drivers like Jordan Hadley and Brad Caddick,” DeCoster said. “Everyone told me late in the race, don’t look in the mirror. Just run your line. And that’s exactly what I did.”
DeCoster said the late rush by Loomis did have him concerned.
“But I knew I had the better car a little bit,” DeCoster said. “I was happy to take it to victory lane.”
The win has been the highlight in an up-and-down season for DeCoster.
“We got third on opening weekend , but the rest of the races I really haven’t been doing too good,” DeCoster said. “ Tonight I was able to take it home, and it really means quite a bit. We have a brand new car and I knew it was fast tonight and that my time was coming soon. I just put it to the floor and never looked back.”
Thursday DeCoster will get his diploma, but he already has a trophy.
Berge racks up first win
Peter Martin challenged him for several laps, but Berge was able to take down the win in the longest Super-X Car race of the season.
“For a guy my age to come and do this, it’s great,” Berge said.
O’Sullivan survives
O’Sullivan grabbed his second Legends win of the season the difficult way — by taking the lead early and then holding off Bennett lap after lap .late in the race
It was a good points night for Bennett, however, who took over the Wednesday night point lead when Mike Blaskey was involved in a crash on lap 6 and was forced to leave the race. Bennett also leads in the Saturday Legends standings.
Bandolero breakthrough
Simmons ran second for the entire duration of the Bandolero race, but was promoted to the top spot after a post-race disqualification to the apparent winner, Emma Monahan. It was this first-ever trip to victory lane.
Simmons said he had a good car, but it didn’t work on the outside grove so he could make a pass for the lead.
As it turned out, he didn’t have to.
Racing resumes Saturday at the Speedbowl with a seven-division show, starting at 5 p.m. The guest division will be the Ct. Pro-4 Modifieds, joined by the SK Modifieds, SK Lite Modifieds, Late Models, Mini-Stocks, Sportsmen and Legends.
20-lap Bandoleros: 1. Ethan Simmons, Pawcatuck; 2. Nicholas Hovey, Chaplin; 3. P.J. Evans, Uncasville; 4. Brody Monahan, Waterford; 5. Maddie Harkin, Portsmouth, R.I.; 6. Tyler Alkas, Kensington; 7. Ari Jencik, Canton; 8. Teddy Welch, Griswold; 9. Connor Jencik, Canton; 10. Evan Marchand, Somerset, Mass.
25-lap Legends: 1. John O’Sullivan II, Salem; 2. Peter Bennett, Cromwell; 3. Colin Haley, Ashford; 4. Devon Jencik, Canton; 5. Dennis Pantani, Branford; 6. Mason Levesque, Dighton, Mass.; 7. Corey Caddick, Richmond, R.I.; 8. Jessica O’Leary, Warwick, R.I.; 9. Brian Zimowski, Enfield; 10. Dave Shindler, West Granby.
25-lap X-Car: 1. Dylan DeCoster, Waterford; 2. Eddie Loomis, Plainfield; 3. Corey Caddick, Richmond, R.I.; 4. Steven Olsen, Essex; 5. Josh Ciccio, Seymour; 6. Dave Gargaro Jr., Cranston RI; 7. Bill Rheaume, Uncasville; 8. TJ Racicot, Quaker Hill; 9. Will Rheaume, North Franklin; 10. Bruce Sperry, Waterford.
35-lap Super X-Car feature: 1. Donald Berge, Uncasville; 2. Peter Martin, Plainville; 3. Marc Shafer, Groton; 3. Dave Yardley, Berlin; 5. DennyLee Hoffman, Westbook; 6. William Reiman, Southington; 7. Mitch Bombard, Willimantic; 8. Jeremy Washburn, N/A; 9. Keith Brown, Griswold; 10. “Bud Kuehne, Clinton.
we cheating I the bandos now …are you kidding me ??? what was the violation ??? great lesson for the kiddies..