Ted Christopher (Photo: Getty Images for NASCAR)
Who would have known when that winless streak got snapped back in May it would only be the start of so many visits to victory lane in his Prestige Motorsports SK Modified in 2015 for Christopher.
The familiar show of 2015 played out again Saturday as Christopher won the second SK Modified feature of the night at the New London-Waterford Speedbowl. The race was shortened to 26 laps from a scheduled distance of 30 laps because of rain.
It was the seventh victory this season for the Plainfield driver.
Keith Rocco of Wallingford was second and Joey Gada of Salem third.
Christopher started ninth and rocketed the front from the start. On lap eight he went by Tyler Chadwick for the lead and never trailed again.
Rocco went by Chadwick for second on lap 24 but never got a late shot to challenge Christopher with a restart as the race was stopped while under caution when rain began falling after the completion of 26 laps.
“We were just a little bit better off the turns,” Christopher said. “I think in the beginning it proved it by going from ninth to first in five laps. It was a great car.”
Said Rocco: “It was pretty slick out there. Like we always say, it’s a race to the front between the two of us.”
It was a big night in the standings for Rocco and a disastrous night in the standings for Diego Monahan.
Rocco is looking for his third consecutive SK Modified championship at the Speedbowl and fifth in six years.
Rocco’s fourth place in the first feature, coupled with a 12th place finish for Monahan, allowed Rocco to climb to the top of the standings in the division. Rocco, who has missed two events at the Speedbowl because of commitments to the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, had come into the event eight points behind Monahan in the standings.
In the second feature Monahan crashed early and was credited with a 24th place finish in the 25-car field.
Monahan fell to fifth in the standings with two events remaining this season, 22 points behind Rocco, who now leads the standings with Chadwick in second, 9 points behind. Rob Janovic Jr. is third, 16 points off the lead.
The SK races have been terrific this year! The good races week after week have no doubt had a positive effect on attendance.
Once again the scoreboard was not in operation, this week’s excuse was lightning.
Is this the first time Diego wrecked out all season? Figures it had to happen when it hurts the most with only two races left.