Kyle James Grabs SK Modified Victory At Waterford Speedbowl

WATERFORD – The SK Modified race ended at the checkered flag Saturday night at the Waterford Speedbowl, but expect the post race jabs to continue for at least a couple more days.

Kyle James celebrates earlier this season at the Waterford Speedbowl (Photo: Mark Caise/Waterford Speedbowl)

Kyle James beat Tom Abele Jr. on a restart with three laps left and went on to win the 35-lap NASCAR Whelen All-American Series SK Modified feature Saturday at the Waterford Speedbowl.

It was the second victory of the season for James, of Ashaway, R.I.

Abele, of Norwich, held on for second and Todd Ceravolo of Gales Ferry was third.

Abele led the first 32 laps of the event before the decisive restart.

“On the restart I knew if I was at his right rear going into [turn] one I was going to make it stick and get by him,” James said. “It seemed like he kind of rolled into [the restart] a little bit. We timed it perfect, pretty much dead even going across the line and from there it was what it was.

“I kind of feel bad taking the win from him because he had it locked up, but I knew he wasn’t going to use me up. But it still sucks stealing it from him, but it’s bittersweet I guess is the better way to put it.”

James works for Abele at his company, Thirty Two Signs in Norwich.

“The car just got loose on the bottom and I just got beat on that restart,” Abele said. “It is what it is. It’s been a horrendous year so I can’t complain about second, but Kyle works for me, it’s going to be a little awkward on Monday.”

Said James: “He’ll probably bust [me] a little bit about it, but I’ll give it back to him twice as hard.”