Waterford Notes: Al Stone Keeps It Low Key In Street Stocks; Rough Night In SK Light’s For Glenn Griswold

WATERFORD – Ain’t nothing but a thing for Al Stone III?

The remnants of Glenn Griswold’s SK Light Modified after a wreck Saturday at the Waterford Speedbowl

It seemed that way Saturday as Stone celebrated his second victory of the season in the 25-lap Street Stock feature at the Waterford Speedbowl.

Ryan Waterman of Danielson was second and Phil Evans of Uncasville third.

After a year in the SK Modified division, Stone, of Durham, returned to the Street Stock division this year, a place where he reigns as the division’s all-time winningest driver.

Saturday’s victory was the 33rd of Stone’s career. It was a low key exuberance from Stone in the postrace victory lane ceremonies.

“Everybody says the same thing about me, I get excited inside, but on the outside I don’t show it,” Stone said of his somewhat muted public celebrations. “I’m so humble. I’m so proud of what myself and the team can do. Everybody has such high expectations for us for what we accomplished before and it’s really had on us and myself when we don’t run as well as we should. Nights like tonight, I’m ecstatic, but it’s not like the first one any more.”

Randy Churchill Jr. of Oakdale celebrated victory in the 25-lap SK Light Modified feature, with Victoria Bergenty of Plainville celebrating a career best second place finish.

But it was a big wreck involving drivers Glenn Griswold and Corey Barry that had the pits buzzing after the event.

Barry in the low lane, got into Griswold as he attempted to pass on the outside in turn one. The wreck left Griswold plastered against the wall with his car a shambles.

It was a far cry from the last SK Light Modified feature at Waterford when Griswold was celebrating his first victory of the year.

“The kid is a [expletive] and he drove over his head,” Griswold said. “I heard three stories. One, his throttle stuck. Two, he lost brakes. Now he had a wheel break before he got to the corner. I had him beat fair and square. I’m an outsider, I came down here and had some success, kicking their butts and this is how I get treated. [On June 15] I finished second to him, I was a gentleman. He drove me to the wall and then ran me down below and I finished second. He got out of the car and shook my hand and said ‘That was a good race.’ I said ‘Dude, you drove me all over the place. I can’t afford to wreck my car so you won tonight, but I’ll get you again.’ Now, I go to beat him on the outside and this is what happens. I’m done forever. I’m still paying off the first fix.”

Barry said a mechanical failure caused the accident.

“After looking at the car, the right front ball joint just fell apart,” Barry said. “I let off the throttle and the thing just went straight. It was an accident. Stuff falls apart, nothing I can do about it. I feel bad, I’m sorry, I was in the same situation he was in last week. I got driven over last week. The parts fell apart, there’s nothing I can do about it.”

Griswold, who has started every SK Light Modified feature at all three Connecticut short track this season said he is done for the year.

“All I’ve talked about this year is one piece racing,” Griswold said. “Bring it home in one piece. I’m done now. I’m still paying off the last fix.”

Paul Kusheba IV of Monroe edged Dylan Izzo of Westport at the line to win the 50-lap Legends feature. The victory got Kusheba a guaranteed starting spot in the Legends Nationals event Sept. 12-14 at Lake Erie Speedway in North East, Pa.