Rolling: Ken Cassidy Grabs Second Consecutive Mini Stock Win At Waterford Speedbowl

WATERFORD – On May 18 at the Waterford Speedbowl, reigning Mini Stock division champion Ken Cassidy shook off the early season doldrums by grabbing his first victory of the season.

Ken Cassidy (11), Ian Brew (3) and Ray Christian III (93) take the white flag in the Mini Stock feature Saturday at Waterford

Saturday he kept the heat on.

Cassidy, of Lisbon, came out on top of a three-way battle for the lead over the closing laps and won the 50-lap Mini Stock feature Saturday at the Waterford Speedbowl.

Ray Christian III of Groton was second and Ian Brew of Wood River Junction, R.I. third.

It was the second consecutive victory for Cassidy, who went winless in the first five events of the season.

Last year Cassidy finished the season with a division record 12 victories in 21 starts, on the way to his fourth track championship and his first NASCAR Division IV short track national title.
Over the first five events this year Cassidy had two seconds, two thirds and a 13th place finish.

Saturday Cassidy, Christian and Brew put on a dramatic battle for the win over the final 10 laps. The caution flew with four laps remaining and on the ensuing restart, Cassidy went to the lead past Brew for good.

“The car was changing,” Cassidy said. “It was really weird. The track’s kind of weird tonight. Everybody was skating up. At first I was loose then it got tight. I was thinking ‘What the heck is going on here?’ Then the caution came out. Everybody else was keeping their tires hot and I just let mine cool off because we only had a four lap run. I feel thankful to be in victory lane tonight.

“I didn’t think I was going to be here. We were going backwards, I think I was back to seventh. I love the 50-lappers. I get settled in and get in the zone.”

Said Christian: “I was hoping that Ian was going to do to Kenny what he did to me. Kind of used me up. … It was a lot of fun. Good hard racing. That was a blast.”