Bruce Thomas Jr. Scores Late Model Finale Win At Waterford; Dillon Moltz Celebrates First Track Title

WATERFORD – It may not have been the kind of season Bruce Thomas Jr. was hoping for, but it ended on the most positive note possible for the three-time Waterford Speedbowl Late Model champion.

Bruce Thomas Jr.

Thomas led every circuit on the way to victory in the caution free 50-lap Late Model feature at the Waterford Speedbowl Finale Saturday.

It was the third victory of the season for Thomas, of Groton.

Jeff Smith of Old Lyme was second and Dillon Moltz, the division’s 2012 champion, was third. Moltz had clinched the division’s title before Saturday’s event.

“It’s just good to have a good run to cap off the season,” Thomas said. “We had some bad runs this season. Congratulations to [Dillon Moltz] and him and the crew on the championship this year. They did a hell of a job.”

Moltz finished the season with seven victories, 15 top-five’s and 17 top-10’s in 17 starts in his first year competing full-time at Waterford.

“What a great year,” said Moltz, who has originally been slated to run part-time at the track this season. “I’ve had so much fun. It’s the most fun I’ve had in a long time racing. I just can’t thank [car owner] Mark Cooper enough for the opportunity.”