Apparently after nearly two decades away from victory lane at the New London-Waterford Speedbowl, one trip back just wasn’t enough to satisfy Eric Berndt.
Berndt made it two consecutive at the Speedbowl Saturday, topping the field in the 35-lap SK Modified feature.
On Oct. 3 at the Speedbowl it was Berndt, of Cromwell, getting his first SK Modified win at the shoreline oval since a victory in the Budweiser Modified Nationals on April 14, 2002.
Berndt returned to regular action at the Speedbowl driving for team owner Billy “Bear” Callicchio in September.
Berndt spent his formative years racing regularly at the Speedbowl, but primarily focused on running full-time at Stafford Speedway over the last 17 years.
Saturday marked the 17th career SK Modified victory at the Speedbowl.
Cory DiMatteo of Farmington was second and Todd Owen of Somers third.
Jason Palmer of Berlin won the 31-lap Late Model feature. Charlie Rose was second and Ryan Morgan third.
Jason Chicolas of Sutton, Mass. won the 25-lap Sportsman feature. Josh Galvin was second and Al Stone III third.
What’s the purse for the season ending 75 lap SK mod race at the Bowl next Sunday?
$3500 for first is all that I know.
2020 – thanks. Perhaps Rocco and some other “non-regulars” will compete. Berndt appears to be the early favorite.
I’m sure there will be plenty of outsiders. There always is for the final. Christopher, Owen, Rocco. We know Jankowiak will be there again. With everyone already in town for Stafford I wouldn’t be surprised if Hirshman showed up. Should be an awesome weekend of racing between Stafford and Waterford. Two in a row for Berndt. Who would have thought. Sad to see an awesome season at the speedbowl come to a close but looking forward to see what the future holds for the facility. I’m sure I’m not the only one that knows Bemer has bought the land that was for sale next to the track. It’ll be an interesting off season. Funny how Dafella has been pretty quiet lately.
Yes – the return of the Bowl has been a highlight of the racing season. However, history suggests that the future of the track remains unpredictable.
It’s too bad the Speedbowl did not go with separate tickets for this weekend. If you can only go Sunday, $45 is a bit much for what is essentially a regular weekly event, I could see $25 or maybe even $30 due to the extended SK race, but not $45. I spent less than that for WMT and TriTrack events this year.
Can’t wait to go back to the Bowl. As soon as it has a new owner.
Bemer is buying property is he. Didn’t know that. What is that wascally wabbit up to.
As far as his appeal is concerned it would be nice if that could get resolved. It’s been over a year and no news I can find regarding the appeal. Justice grinds slowly but really. The only news is Bemer trying to get out of a portion of the settlement. It’s a convoluted mess involving the attorney more then victim but chaotic and consistent with the continuing drama that is Bemer and the Speedbowl.
There’s a couple pictures on the web site showing the track and for those of us that have not seen the reincarnated version in person and have the old version burned into our brains what you see now is breathtaking. Even the bus seems more innovatively modern then an expedient when time ran out for the final touches. Is there any buzz to keep the bus?
Quite the weekend isn’t it? Stafford the place to be on Saturday and Sunday at the Speedbowl. The Sunday $3500 to win a little under the radar. Partly because it’s in the shadow of the TTOMS race and maybe a little bit because it is Bemer after all. Media wise search engines should be full of articles documenting the resurrection of the facility with this event being the culmination of an incredible come back story. It would write itself.. Alas it was not meant to be. No theme of redemption to be found and no uplifting central figure to admire that beat the odds.
Enjoy Speedbowl nation. It’s going to be huge and you earned every bit of it with your loyalty.
Doug what happened at Waterford this year is exactly what Dafella said wouldn’t happen. “I was right! I’m right again! 🤣🤣The front gate and back gate at the bowl this year spoke for itself. 17 SK’s at Waterford for its final regular Saturday. 17 SK’s at Thompson for the world series. Or as Dafella would say, It’s the pandemic stupid. Riiight.