Nichole Morgillo And Victoria Bergenty Record Historic Victories At The Waterford Speedbowl

It was a history making night for the ladies at the Waterford Speedbowl Saturday.

Nichole Morgillo celebrates becoming the first female SK Modified division winner in the history of the Waterford Speedbowl (Photo: Waterford Speedbowl)

First, Victoria Bergenty won the 25-lap SK Light Modified feature, becoming the first female driver ever to win in a Whelen All-American Series division at the track.

Hours later Nichole Morgillo of Yalesville became the first female winner ever in the track’s premier division in winning the 35-lap NASCAR Whelen All-American Series SK Modified feature.

To add to the theme of the night, the track’s opening ceremonies included SK Modified driver Shawn Thibeault successfully proposing marriage to Morgillo.

Morgillo led the final 16 laps of the feature held off Ted Christopher in Plainville in second. Rob Janovic Jr. of Waterford was third.

Bergenty, of Plainville, took the lead from Larry Goss on lap seven and then held off second place finisher Randy Churchill of Oakdale in the closing laps. Glenn Griswold of Vernon was third.

Keith Rocco of Wallingford won the 30-lap Late Model feature, in the process, clinching the division’s championship with two events still remaining to be run. It was the third consecutive Late Model victory at Waterford for Rocco and his tenth of the season.

Rocco went by Jason Palmer for the lead on lap nine and never trailed again. Vin Esposito of Seymour was second and Palmer, of Berlin, third.

Rocco now leads second place Palmer by 127 points in the standings. Even if Rocco missed the last two events, Palmer can only gain a maximum of 100 points.

Rocco joins Allen Coates as the only drivers in track history to win championships in three divisions at the track. He also has SK Modified division and Street Stock titles. Coates has Late Model, Street Stock and Truck division titles.

Ken Cassidy Jr. of Lisbon moved closer to a fifth Mini Stock championship with his victory in the division’s 25-lap feature.
Joe Liskiewicz of Preston was second and Garrett Denton of Hope Valley, R.I. third.

Corey Hutchings of Salem won the 25-lap Street Stock feature. Josh Galvin of Franklin was second and Al Stone III of Durham third.