Feeling The Flow: Ryan Waterman Continues Street Stock Domination In Dramatic Style At Stafford 

STAFFORD – Domination has been the theme for Ryan Waterman in the Street Stock division this year at Stafford Speedway. 

Waterman got his first career Street Stock win at Stafford on May 12 and continued rolling successfully with victories in two of the last three events. 

Friday, in the fifth race of the season, it was the familiar scene of Waterman in victory lane, but that end result came with some wild dramatics over the closing laps. 

Waterman, of Danielson, rallied late to win the 20-lap Street Stock feature Friday at Stafford. 

“Wow, I’m speechless,” Waterman said. “That was some great racing.” 

Jason Finkbein of Manchester was second and Travis Downey of Barkhamstead third. 

On lap 16 Downey got under Waterman to take the lead off of turn four. But going down the frontstretch Aaron Plemons joined the battle for the lead, getting under both Waterman and Downey into turn one on lap 17 to take over the top spot. 

On lap 19 Downey got under Plemons and the pair went side-by-side into turn three. With a lapped car in front of them the pair drifted up the track. Waterman found the low lane off of turn four and edged Downey for the lead at the line as the pair took the white flag. Waterman cleared Downey off of turn two on the final lap, leaving him to fight for second place. 

“I don’t even know what … happened there,” Waterman said. “I think Aaron [Plemons] was up in the mix. I just blacked out and drove it the best I could.” 

Coming off of turn four, Finkbein was able to muscle under Downey to take second place. 

“Couple more laps I probably would have had [Waterman],” Finkbein said. “I had a fast race car. 

Said Downey: “We had a heck of a battle with Ryan Waterman. I love racing like that. That’s what makes it so sun. Glad to be able to put it out on FloRacing and everybody can see it at home. Thankful to race at Stafford. 

“I got tangled up a little bit hanging outside on the lapped traffic going by. Drifted up just a little bit, a little bit too much and Jason got underneath me. I thought I was going to be racing Ryan down to the line for the win, but things change in a hurry.”