Welcome Back: Al Stone Back On Top In Street Stock Division At Waterford Speedbowl

WATERFORD – As he rattled off the sponsors that help him get on the track over the Waterford Speedbowl public address system, Al Stone stumbled a bit getting all the names out.

Al Stone

“It’s been a long time,” Stone told track announcer Matt Buckler as he tried to name them all.

The pomp of victory lane might have been something he Stone needed to get used to again, but he showed on the track he hasn’t forgotten how to be dominant. Like riding a bike, the king of the Speedbowl Street Stock division was back reigning over his kingdom.

Stone, of Durham, drove away with victory in the 25-lap Street Stock division Saturday at the Waterford Speebdowl.

Corey Hutchings of Salem was second and Josh Galvin of Franklin third.

It was the 32nd career Street Stock division victory at Waterford Stone, the division’s all-time winningest driver, but his first since Oct. 9, 2011.

Stone passed Dan Darnstaedt for the lead with 20 laps remaining and never looked back on

Stone, who won Street Stock division championships in 2008 and 2010 made the jump to the SK Modified division in 2012. In the end, the finances put him back in the Street Stock division this year.

“There’s no shame in coming back and doing something you love without taking food off the table,” Stone said.

But Stone didn’t just arrived back in the division retake his spot on top. It took him eight races before he could get back to victory lane.

“I thought we would have been in a different place at the beginning of this season,” Stone said. “Starting over with a new car and being out of it for a bit, it was a whole new learning experience. I’ve been doing a lot of homework. A lot of Thursday practices, a lot of time in the shop. It just proved each week that we could get better and better. I’m so excited, it’s like our first win all over again.”

“It’s been a fun challenge and it makes it even better when you can beat guys like Corey Hutchings out there, and he’s definitely on top of his game right now and he’s the guy to beat.”

Stone said Saturday he’s not altogether done with his SK Modified.

“I’m really excited about concentrating on the Street Stock championship again and doing some limited stuff in the [SK Modified] here and at Thompson [International Speedway],” Stone said.