Todd Owen
The SK Modified division at the New London-Waterford Speedbowl has spent most events this season chasing the back bumper of Kyle James.
Saturday night Todd Owen turned the tables.
Owen, of Somers, held off the nearly race long charges of James in second place to score his third victory of the season in the 40-lap SK Modified feature at the Speedbowl.
“Kyle was fast,” Owen said in a release. “To hold him off for that long is really good for us. My hat is off to Kyle. He gave me a couple of taps, but he raced me clean. I would do the same to him.”
Said James: “Todd was using enough race track that I couldn’t get a great run off the top of the track early and I couldn’t get a run off the bottom late.”
James, of Ashway, R.I., ended up second. Matt Galko of Meriden was third.
Anthony Flannery of East Hampton held off Jason Palmer of Berlin in a race long battle to win the 30-lap Late Model feature. It was the fourth win in the last five races for Flannery.
“This definitely wasn’t easy,” Flannery said. “Palmer had a good car, but we were going to do everything we could to get the win.”
Palmer was second and Tony Macrino of Waterford third.
Adrien Paradis III of Plainville won the 30-lap Sportsman feature.
Joe Arena of Bristol was second and Shawn Gaedeke of Groton third.
Andrew Krzeminski went from fourth to the lead over the final three laps to get his first career victory in then 25-lap Mini Stock featrure.
“This is unbelievable,” Krzeminski said. “… This is such a great division. I had the time of my life out there.”
Charles Canfield of East Hampton was seond and Ken Cassidy Jr. of Lisbon third.
Brett Gonyaw of Vernon won the first of two 25-lap SK Light Modified features. Bert Ouellette of Ellington was second and Wayne Burroughs Jr. of Oakdale third.
Keith Caruso of Millbury, Mass. got his first career victory in the second 25-lap SK Light Modified feature.
“I think the first win is the hardest one to get,” Caruso said. “I had [Jon] Puleo behind me and I knew he was going to be tough. And Paul French was behind him and I knew he was going to be tough. I was lucky I held both of them off.”
Puleo, of Branford, was second and French, of Andover, third.
Rob Richardi of Taunton, Mass. won the 25-lap Pro Four Modified feature.
Big weekend for the Speedbowl and first under the management team of Bemer/Serluca. A label that may or may not be accurate but should invite correction if it is not.
Congratulations to Brett the Jet on his SK Lite win and Keith Caruso as well. Stafford guys first aye?
Motor Jam today is not on we circle track fans radar but is/was a huge and important event for the track. The advertising has been non stop for over a month to push this event in terms of radio.
Soon Mr. Owen will be going back to the shop for a long winter of work fabricating cars under the Chassis Pro brand for a number of teams. He’ll probably leave his cars for last. I think his growing business has caused his personal track performance to be two ticks off his best although his appearance schedule has been aggressive as usual. It should be interesting to see what direction he takes for 2019 and what new teams if any he takes on.
As far as Todd’s Performance this year.I don’t necessarily think its because of his shop commitments and building a customer base.My guess is he’s built some new equipment and is using his car….I.e his house car if you will as a test bed for some new ideas.Its also my understanding that this is a Frugal Budget Team.Relying on what knowledge they have and getting the most out of their dollar and ingenuity.Its refreshing to see and a look at how the majority of racers used to do.Also over the past few years,quite a few teams have stepped up their programs and nothing there’s more parity as far as cars that are capable of winning from week to week.One more thing……a lot of people questioning Keith Roccos lack of victories the past few years.Like him or hate him.A lot of teams would be happy with that kind of performance.He’s got a young family and a ton of responsibility.KYLE James also deserves a pat on the back for his performance the past few seasons at Waterford.Another guy who works with limited funds.JMO
Good race sat night, wished there was a better turn out. Motor Jam could be improved by moving the people away from the fence so we all could see. They stood shoulder to shoulder at the fence so people in the stands could not see. The starter tried from the track to move them, but they would not. Should have had security guard there.
CONGRATS to Todd Owen and Crew on your win at the bowl Saturday night.
Who is currently running a Chassis Pro car other than Todd Owen?
Arute and Wood are in Sk’s at Stafford, Narducci is in an Sk light at Stafford. Going by the website so I’m guessing it’s accurate.
Todd Owen is the consummate racer. He can built them and he can drive them. AND he can win in them !!! Congrats Todd !!
Strangest photo of him ever. Was he about to ask the photographer for spare change?
Just Wondering, anyone know why the Speedbowl facebook page is not being updated? I thought Mike Serluca was in charge of PR. Maybe he is too busy running the day to day operations of the track?
Just Wondering,
My understanding is that previous management is in control of the track social media accounts and they are not allowing the new management team to access them.
Shawn thanks for the explanation. It just seems strange to me that the previous management (George Whitney and/or his team) will not release the social media login info with the new management (Mike Serluca). Sounds to me like George W. is being vindictive if not just jealous that someone else is now the new savior of the Speedbowl by giving it an extended life as many others have in the past have. Why else would he be trying to damage the opportunity for success of Mike Serluca?