(Press Release from New London-Waterford Speedbowl)
Keith Rocco was celebrated as the 2015 SK Modified champion at the New London-Waterford Speedbowl banquet Saturday (Photo: New London-Waterford Speedbowl)
Six champions officially were crowned Saturday at the 2015 New London-Waterford Speedbowl banquet, which took place at the Mystic Marriott in Groton. A crowd of 500 was in attendance as more than 120 awards were distributed by track General Manager and promoter Shawn Monahan.
Keith Rocco, joined by car owner Vin Beadle, received trophies for winning the SK Modified title. It was Rocco’s fifth SK title and eighth overall Speedbowl crown, and his second with Beadle as his car owner. Rocco is the Speedbowl’s all-time win leader with 121 victories, including seven SK wins in 2015.
Ted Christopher’s No. 13 race team was named Pit Crew of the Year. Dylan Izzo, who finished 15th in the overall standings, was Rookie of the Year. Diego Monahan, who jumped from eighth to fourth in the standings, was Most Improved Driver and the Sportsmanship Award was won by John Montesanto.
Jason Palmer earned the Late Model Championship trophy. He also is the car owner. It was Palmer’s first Late Model title and his fourth Speedbowl championship. Palmer grabbed four wins and now has 64 at the Speedbowl, which ties him with Dennis Gada and Ken Cassidy Jr. for ninth on the all-time list.
Palmer’s No. 17 team also won the Pit Crew of the Year Award. Matt Carlson, who was eighth in the overall standings, was Rookie of the Year. Chris Garside, who had two second-place finishes, which were his best-ever performances, was Most Improved Driver and the Sportsmanship Award went to Jim Banfield.
It also was a big night for Paul Buzel. He received his SK Light Championship and also was presented with the University of Northern Ohio Youth Achievement Award. Buzel racked up three wins to win his first-ever Speedbowl crown. George Buzel is his car owner.
The No. 39 crew of Corey Barry received the Pit Crew of the Year Award. Josh Galvin, who had three wins and finished sixth overall in the standings, was the Rookie of the Year. Cal Therrien, who jumped from 10th to fourth place in the standings, was the Most Improved Driver. Rick Williams captured the Sportsmanship Award,
Al Stone III was awarded the Limited Sportsman Championship trophy. It was the third Limited Sportsman title for Stone, who also is the car owner. The Speedbowl’s All-time Limited Sportsman win leader had six victories in 2015.
Corey Coates was a double winner, His No. 29 team won Pit Crew of the Year and Coates was named Rookie of the Year, Coates finished fourth in the standings and also notched his first-ever win. Jack Aquillina, with two victories, was the Most Improved Driver and Jason Chicolas was the Sportsmanship Award winner.
Wayne Burroughs received his first Mini-Stock Championship trophy He also is the car owner. Burroughs won three of the first four races and finished with four wins. Only one of his races was outside the Top 10.
His No. 20 team won Pit Crew of the Year for the second straight year. Larry Loomis, who moved from 14th to fourth in the standings, was named the Most Improved Driver. Jordan Hadley, who finished eighth in the standings and grabbed two wins, was the Rookie of the Year. Dale Sherman captured the Sportsmanship Award.
Corey DiMatteo was presented with his first U.S. Legends championship. Justin Manafort is the car owner. DiMatteo posted his first-ever Speedbowl win in the season opener and finished the year with two wins. Andrew Moeller, fourth in the overall standings, was the Most Improved Driver. Caterina LaBella was the Sportsmanship Award winner and Noah Korner’s No. 31 team was named Pit Crew of the Year. Korner won his first Speedbowl race during 2015.
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