Well… Mother Nature made up for all the rain with a beautiful weekend at the Finale. I’ve been holding it in for a month… so heads up!!
Saturday was entertaining. Yours truly showing up with 2 to go in the last Mini qualifier and took some heat from the rowdies before I even sat down. Lots of ‘extra’ Late Models (Bailey, Hutchings, Botticello & Summers, Macrino, Dorothy…). And what’s up with Pro4 heats – talk about dreadful…
Then we had my main man Chris Correll kickin some in the ARTS. This was obviously the most heated on-track scenario for qualifying day – for if ya hadn’t heard, Chris and his boy Walt Wosky had some run-ins at the World Series. And to up the ante, they were 8pts apart atop the point standings. They both won their heats, and then Wosko got the pole for the feature on the redraw…
Wosko proceeded to lead the first 8 laps (not good for us as the guy with the most laps led gets additional pts), but Chris tooled the 7 by him and then led the next 9 before Gregory took the lead for good. Chris 2nd, Wosko 4th or 5th. 3 in titles in a row – ya da man Chris – Congrats to the 7 Hooters team….
At least some one who drove a Big Ball car won a championship
Legends saw Jeffery Paul lead most of the race with the Bakaj brothers behind him, alternating every 2 or 3 laps hammering the 91 down the backstretch into 3. But Paul kept the lead, until he lost something and had to pit with 9 to go. It was good to see some heated rivalries in both the Legends and the Trucks. These divisions need that so us fans will be compelled to watch… good stuff
X-cars entertaining as always – (althoug Dedario’s ride is ridiculuously faster than any other). Super-X’s as well. Bailed out before the ladies races – but Saturday was a good show.
Sunday – Pit Party had alot of cars. But only half the crowd that watched the features later. Pasteryak, Coury Jr, Root Jr, Cassidy Jr and Paul won Most Popular Driver awards. NEMA race was quick and painless – Ben Seitz winner.
Minis – Danny Field came back. Tommy Silva in the 90. Phil Evans Jr back in the 81. ‘Chard starting 14th – made it half way to the front after avoiding the carcas through turn 2 at one point. Eventually made it second, behind guess who? That damn 11 car. I’ve had enough of finishing 2nd to that car, but whatcha gonna do. Rich brought home two runner-ups and a win to end the season and that ain’t bad.
But it’s safe to say we’re slightly dissappointed because the points title was the goal this year. But hey, finishing second in points to a guy whose been waiting a hell of alot longer than us for a championship ain’t all that bad – Congrats to the whole 18 team (except to his #1 fan Jeff Williams…)
Then we had a show with the Late Models. Junior Thomas and Coates chasing St Hilliare in the points (whose was up by 18). While Mark was just chilling around 6-9th for most of the race, the other two were running in the top 5. Then, with the laps ticking away, the Chowder Pot #3 went POOF. Couldn’t see much of it as my view was blocked by the uproar of the 35 gang in the stands. Let the drama begin…
But it was Coates actually who came closer to the title, finishing 1 position behind what would have forced a tie-breaker with St Hilliare and would’ve been in the 90’s favor. St. Hilliare won the championship sitting in his trailer, with a blown motor and no wins this season. But he’s a Champion none the less. His post race interview was emotional and humble and it’s hard not to be glad for this guy. It would have been an unbelievably heartbreakin’ way to lose a championship….
….but there’d be another chance for that scenario….
But first the Sportsman had to wrap up their season. Norm Root Jr taking home the champioship already, so this one was straight up for the win. Joe Curioso took the lead early and never relinquished it. John Puglisi and Dan Darnstead were on him like glue for most of the race, but couldn’t get by.
At least someone with an APE powered machine won a race yesterday
And then the big boys – complete with points title drama. da house Ronnie U and Robbie Summers only 2 pts apart and the annual contender Dennis Gada still with an outside shot to take his 6th title – That’d be Bob Potter territory in the record books. Summers and Gada were in the top 5 for most of the race, but the drama intensified when the 6 was in a Monahan sandwich, and all three following the ‘old school line’ Donny Fowler was running in his #26. You could smell the disaster as they came down the frontstretch and before they were outta turn 2, Ronnie was in the middle of the MFR cars spinning. I can’t really give ya specifics cuz I glance elsewhere when it started… my bad
Somehow though, it doesn’t shock me that the Monahans played a part in the points race. There’s both passionate alliances and hatred for those white cars, and if anything, they bring an element to the “show”. But this one just bothered me. It shouldn’t go down like that… Ah, whatever, word around the campfire was the brothers had bigger issues to deal with after some more drama in the pits….
Back to racing. Ronnie battled back after pitting, but Summers and Gada never fell back and the laps were winding down. Then with a few laps to go, Ernie Bertrand (?) spun to a halt in the infield for a good lap and half – but no caution. The only thing that bothers me about this is earlier in the race, the 49 spun in the same area and the caution was out immediately. Inconsistency creates controversy…..just not good.
There was some Green Machine faithful who were rushing the flagstand (Sorry boys, you’re yelling at the wrong guys on that one), Ronnie said Boo-Yah to the Danko phone and after leading the points for all but one week and with 3 career Finale SK wins, it just wasn’t in the cards. It was a great season anyway guys…. although I know it probably still stings like a champ right now…
However, lets not take away from the SK Champion Robbie Summers. First year running an SK schedule after years on the Tour. Not a bad first season at the bowl. Congrats to the #11 Team
RANDOM NUGGET AWARDS
So that’s a wrap on another season. It was a wild one. So let’s look back shall we:
WORST WRECKS
- Gada’s slip-n-slide on his nose along the wall between turns 3 and 4
- Jeffery Pauls flip-n-slide on his roof down the back stretch to the pit gate
- Uncle Bucks see-my-underside as his sits atop Mark’s #4 in turns 3 & 4
- Opening night carcas on the front stetch- complete with white cars and punches
FEEL GOOD MOMENTS
- Al Stone III bringing home the Stone family’s long awaiting first speedbowl feature win
- Joe Perry’s win and that unforgettable stroll to the PA booth with the fans givin’ him props along the way
- Chris Pasteryak’s return to victory lane after going winless last year
- Matt Kobyluck’s first BNS win at his home track
- The Speedbowl, John Mahoney, Shawn Monahan and the entire SK race team family for their emotional tribute to the Comiskey family
GOOD SHOWS
- Ronnie U blowing by TC on the outside and getting the whole crowd on their feet.
- My man ‘chard passing cars like it was his job winning from 5th on a Gr-Wh-Ch finish.
- Coates and Jr Thomas subtle bumbs and break checks throughout the season
- The Dennis Botticello’s mid season ACT car clinic
- Cassidy Jr by inches over Correll by inches over Rich for a 3wide finish
MELTDOWNS
- Johnny B giving not 1 but 2 versions of the ol’ “you’re #1” gesture to the scorer’s tower
- Ken Cassidy Sr’s tyraid on Dave Sylvia in front of the bleachers
- Larry Goss and Moose Douton almost-fistacuffs on the backstretch
- Janovic/Monahan opening night theatrics
- Chris Williams/Phil Evans post race drama
BEST OF THE DANKO-PHONE
“Look at the track”
Eddie Reed, when asked why he wasn’t racing after the opening night SK disaster on the front stretch.
WORST OF THE DANKO-PHONE
Larry Goss post wreck retirements (take your pick)
BEST VICTORY LANE SPEECH
Randy Cabral’s explanation of how the smoke from his car was probably from his pants…
WORST VICTORY LANE SPEECH
Allen Coates thanking the State of Connecticut for his unemployment checks
OFFICIATING GRIPES
- Sending Phil Evans to a motor tech, then DQing him of his 4th place for an non-tech related incident on the track during the race.
- The handling of the Jay Miller DQ/protest/reinstatement debacle
- Discontinuation of the previous winner’s ban from starting in the first 2 rows
- The “Robbie Summers” rule and the whole ‘what’s an accident car’ this week…
DISSAPPEARING ACTS
- The ACT Tour
- Funk Master Flex
- NEMA’s Boston Louie Memorial
AND NOW…a little something special for ya – a little sumpin’ I like to call
SID’S 1st ANNUAL FORUM AWARDS
MOST LIKELY TO REMIND ME MY PICKS SUCKED IN THEIR POST
Jen Pearl
MOST LIKELY TO REMIND ME MY PICKS SUCKED TO MY FACE
Fast Eddie
MOST LIKELY TO POST HOW THEY REALLY FEEL
Timmy47
MOST LIKELY TO ENFORCE MY BIG BALL ALLIANCE
JoeyTFG
LAMEST EXCUSE TO NOT COME TO THE FAMILY SECTION
Kelly77 (traffic…. c’mon)
MOST LIKELY TO CHALLENGE MY TRACK VISION
rimini8
MOST LIKELY TO CORRECT MY MINI STATS
rimini8
LEAST AMUSED BY MY USE OF URBAN SLANG
Paul T
MOST ENTERTAINING USE OF THE EMOTICONS
traxnctrl10
EXCEPT THIS ONE –
MOST LIKELY TO MAKE BRIAN LAUGH BY CALLING MY POST AN ‘ARTICLE’
Jeff Williams
MOST LAME SUGGESTIONS TO PUT IN MY POST
Jeff Williams (not one made it for the record)
MOST FORUM CONVERSATIONS WITHOUT ACTUALLY MEETING IN PERSON YET
Mark
MOST LIKELY TO ORGANIZE A NASCAR PROTEST RALLY
Racer
BEST NON-JP.COM SITE
Makinglaps.com
if ya haven’t been over there yet, whatta ya waiting for…
I have to admit that this year more than ever, I’ve realized just how many people are out here on JP.com and I’m always overwhelmed at how many people say “Oh, so you’re Sid – the one on Jeff Pearl’s site” – not sure if that’s a good thing or not yet…but the racing community has always been a good time for me and I’ve always enjoyed meeting new people who share the passion. So here’ a shout out to all the peeps who are out here yapping it up… the more the better.
And of course – Thanks again to Jen, Jeff, Brian and the mysterious Webmaster who have the best site going. You guys set the standard for the short track team site Glad the Fox Hill/Big Ball families keep the Family Section tradition running strong
NEVER FORGET :
Keith Comiskey – #03 SK Modified
We miss ya….
HAVE A GREAT OFF SEASON EVERYBODY…
Laids
Sid