(WATERFORD, CT) The combined entry lists for Waterford Speebowl’s five weekly divisions include 23 one-time track champions. Defending champions Rob Janovic Jr. (SK-Modifieds), Bruce Thomas Jr. (Late Models), Ken Cassidy Jr. (Mini Stocks) and Michael Gervais Jr. (Legends) top the list heading into the season opening April 12-13 Budweiser Modified Nationals.

Led by six-time champion Dennis Gada, there are nine champions entered in the $20,000 SK-150, the headline event for the 12th annual “Mod Nats.” The list also includes three “150” winners – Ted Christopher, Gada and Jeff Pearl.

The championship season begins with extra-distance events for the other NASCAR Whelen All American divisions as well – a 50 lapper for the Late Models and 30 lappers for the Sportsman and Mini Stocks. Also on the 10-division agenda at the Northeastern Midget Association, the Pro4 Modifieds, AllStar Race Trucks, Allison Legacy Cars and the new NEMA Lites.

SK-150 entries with championship credentials also includes Rob Summers, Don Fowler, Corey Hutchings, Ricky Young and Jeffrey Paul. The ageless Fowler, who was second in last year’s finale, won three Late Model crowns in the 1970s. Among the youngest entries, Paul was the 2005 Legend champion.

Janovic, Pearl (the ’98 SK champ) and Gada (1999-’03, ’06), head up the home team against a group of visitors that includes, in addition to Christopher (the ’92 SK champ) and Summers (’05), the likes of Matt Hirschman, Frank Ruocco, Kenny Horton, Jeff Malave and Woody Pitkat. Ruocco won the ’06 “150.” Horton owns the Bowl’s one-lap qualifying record of 14.061 set last year.

Ron Yuhas Jr., no stranger to point wars, and Dennis Charette, are home team threats as well. Yuhas, both a SK and Late Model entry for ’08, is an extra-distance maestro at the ‘Bowl.

Three-time champ Hutchings, also a SK and Late Model entry, is one of four champions on the combined roster with championships in two different divisions. That group also includes Thomas (the ’01 Mini champ), Ed Reed Jr. (the only driver with both a SK and Late
Model crown) and Allen Coates, all Late Model contenders in ’08. Tim Jordan, the ’06 champ, is a Late Model threat as well.

The Sportsman battle appears wide open. The entry list includes champions Chris Douton (1997, ’99), the returning Ted Dupre (2000) and Norman Root Jr. (’05). Brandon Plemons, the ’02 Mini champ, is planning a full season in the division. It could turn into the greatest battle of the season Al Stone II, Jim Procaccini, Chuck Rogers, John Puglisi and Jack
Aquilina all in the mix.

The Mini Stock roster include a pair of two-time champions in Jeff Miller (1998-99) and Danny Field (2005-06) in addition to Soup Civardi (’94) and Glenn Colvin (’04). Jeff Mehlenbacher, the ’05 Wild n’ Wacky Wednesday X-Car champ, joins the Mini Stocks this season.

Gervais is joined by the ’07 Wild n’ Wacky champion in the Legends group.

SK qualifying kicks off Saturday (April 12) action followed by heats for all the other divisions. The Legends, Pro 4, AllStar Trucks, Allison Legacy Car and NEMA Lite features will follow.

The traditional pit party gets Sunday started. A 25-lap NEMA feature and the Late Model, Sportsman and Mini Stock features share the day with the “150.”

Source: Dave Dykes, Speedbowl Public Relations
Photo Credit: Keith Cyr, RaceDog Photography