On Tap Presented By Ric’s Place: Getting Into The Weekly Swing Of Things

On Tap: Presented By Ric’s Place

The openers have all come and gone, and it seems a stingy stranglehold winter might be behind too.

And the weekly grind begins.

The New London-Waterford Speedbowl hosted its new ownership grand opening last week, the final opener for Connecticut’s short track trio of facilities.

Stafford Speedway and the Speedbowl get back to the action this week.

For all the details on this weekend’s racing action, check the capsules below.

Where: Stafford Motor Speedway

What: NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Racing Card

When: Friday

Schedule: 40-lap NASCAR Whelen All-American Series SK Modified, 50-lap Late Model, 20-lap SK Light Modified, 20-lap Limited Late Model, 15-lap DARE Stock and 20-lap Legends. Grandstands open: 5:15 p.m. Qualifying: 6:15 Features: Immediately following qualifying.

More: The third event of the season at Stafford Motor Speedway. … The Late Model division takes center stage on the night with the running of the Xtramart Xtra D 50-lap feature for the division. The division typically runs 30-lap features … Michael Bennett won the season opening Late Model feature on April 26 and Josh Wood won last week’s feature. … With runner-up finishes in the first two events of the year, two-time defending division champion Adam Gray leads the standings for the division with 96 points. Kevin Gambacorta is second in the standings with 90 points and Jim Mavlouganes is third (88 points). … Ronnie Williams got his second career SK Modified feature victory at last Friday’s event. Rowan Pennink won the first SK Modified feature of the season on April 26. … With a victory and a third place finish, Pennink leads the SK Modified division standings with 96 points. Keith Rocco is second (88 points) and Ryan Preece third (84 points). … For more information visit the Stafford Motor Speedway website.

Where: New London-Waterford Speedbowl

What: NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Racing Card

When: Saturday

Schedule: 35-lap NASCAR Whelen All-American Series SK Modified, 30-lap Late Model, 25-lap Limited Sportsman, 25-lap Mini Stock and 25-lap SK Light Modified. Grandstands open: 3 p.m.; Qualifying: 5:30 p.m.; Features: 7 p.m.

More: The second event of the season at the New London-Waterford Speedbowl. … Keith Rocco began defense of his 2014 SK Modified division championship with a win in last week’s season opening event for the division. Rocco also began defense of his 2014 Late Model championship at the track with a win in the division on opening night. … Rocco has a chance to make history Saturday. He currently has 105 victories at the track. Phil Rondeau is the track’s all-time winningest driver with 106 wins. Rocco will compete in both the SK Modified division and Late Model features Saturday. … Rob Janovic Jr. is three points behind Rocco in the SK Modified division standings. Craig Lutz, Paul Kusheba IV and Tyler Chadwick are tied for third in the standings, eight points behind Rocco. … Jason Palmer sits three points behind Rocco in the Late Model division standings. Rocco’s twin brother Jeff is third in the Late Model standings, eight points off the lead. … For more information check the New London-Waterford Speedbowl website.