Ed Puleo
WATERFORD – On a night SK Modified team owner Vin Beedle takes much pride in, one of his drivers – Ed Puleo – made sure the spotlight was square on his Mr. Rooter Racing team in the SK Modified victory lane Saturday at the Waterford Speedbowl.
With the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour at the Speedbowl for the running of the Mr. Rooter 161 on Saturday, Puleo put the primary Mr. Rooter Racing Team SK Modified out front and won in a dramatic showdown.
Puleo held off Keith Rocco and Ted Christopher over the closing laps to win the 35-lap NASCAR Whelen All-American Series SK Modified feature at the Waterford Speedbowl.
It was the second career SK Modified feature victory at Waterford for Puleo, of North Branford. He got his first win in this year’s season opening event.
“When the schedule came out and I looked at the schedule, if there was one race I wanted to win obviously it was this one,” Puleo said. “Of course I want to win every week, but I’m happy with winning this one.”
Rocco, of Wallingford, edged Christopher, of Plainville, at the checkered flag for second place.
Puleo inherited the lead on the third lap after Jeffrey Gallup spun out of the top spot.
After a restart with six laps remaining, Rocco seemed ready to make a run on Puleo in the outside lane, but another caution took away his momentum. On the ensuing restart with four laps remaining, Rocco seemed to have the speed to power by Puleo on the outside, but Puleo moved Rocco up the track to slow his roll and keep him behind.
“I know [Rocco is] not happy with me,” Puleo said. “It’s just racing, just short track racing. A couple laps to go for the win here, I’m sure once he cools down he’ll understand. He’s the best there is, there’s no doubt about that.
“I didn’t have much of a choice. I also had [Christopher] right on my bumper too. I don’t think I did anything that Keith wouldn’t have done. I know he’s is upset, I would have been upset too. But I think in the end, I think he kind of would have done the same thing.”
In 11 SK Modified events at the Speedbowl this year Rocco has five victories, five second place finishes and a third place finish. He was succinct following the runner-up finish Saturday.
“There wasn’t much of an outside out there,” Rocco said, referring to his attempts to go by Puleo. “It was pretty short of room.”
Wow Rocco is on a tear there at the bowl. With the 5 wins he got this year I don’t recall him running someone else in the marbles. So I’m not sure he would do the same thing. What is the speedbowl going to do when that kid gets sick of the hacks, pushes on the brakes, and let’s people start hooking themselves straight in……
Pick a lane PULEO yah !
I hope Puleo is proud of that one when the video comes out! What a joke he has become, he runs everyone up that tries to pass on the top, or chops everyone that goes low. I can see payback coming his way from a few drivers.
And on the topic of payback, is Teddy good friends with Timmy Jordon, or getting soft in his old age? Timmy lets Kyle James have a spot, then chopped and blocked Ted for 5 or 6 laps till a caution came out. Then under caution Ted gives him a tap, but a couple years ago Timmy would have needed a basket to take his car home.
Hey paul I am sure you don’t have to worry about that there.