ISMA, True Value Mods On ‘Bowl’s 06 Agenda : Raceway Media

In the fall of 1951, Waterford Speedbowl’s first
season, Midget driver George Tischnor posted a 17.92
seconds lap in qualifying. Regarded as “very fast” by
the racing media, it stood as a track record for
several years.

The historic oval is still regarded as “very fast” and
about to get “quicker.”

President Howie Lane believes the mark will fall into
the 11 seconds bracket when the International
SuperModified Association (ISMA) returns on May 27. He
was, in fact, surprised the winged monsters –
generally regarded as the fastest short track racecars
in the world – didn’t do better last year than the
12.2 lap posted by Jon McKennedy.

The Speedbowl, which opens its 56th consecutive
campaign with the ninth annual Modified Nationals on
April 1-2, will feature speed throughout a 2006 season
that ends with the “Finale” on Sept. 23-24. The
SK-Modifieds, Late Models, Sportsman, Mini Stocks and
Legends will again be standard fare.

General Manager Bill Roth points out the return of the
supers and the first visit of the True Value Modified
Tour on Saturday night, June 17 both “received
considerable applause” at the Christmas Party. The
NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour comes to the Speedbowl on
July 22 and the NASCAR Busch North visits on Saturday,
Aug. 19.

“People can’t wait for the Supers,” continued Roth.
“The speed they showed last year was incredible and
the thought they can be faster yet is certainly
exciting. The ISMA guys loved the place and that adds
more anticipation.”

Roth said he will be working with True Value boss Jack
Bateman to make that visit “very special. We have some
definite ideas that will help everybody. We’re looking
forward to that as well as the NASCAR Modifieds and
Busch Cars.”

The facility acknowledges its debt to history with the
Nostalgia Weekend Aug. 5-6. A Saturday night visit by
the Northeastern Midget Association compliments the
annual appearance by the Senior Antique Racers
(STARS), New England Antique Racers (NEAR) and
Atlantic Coast Old Timers (ACOT).

NEMA, which will also be part of the Modified
Nationals and “Finale,” now “lives in the high 12
seconds” at the Speeebowl according to two-time
champion Ben Seitz. “We are very happy NEMA is back,”
said Roth. “The Speedbowl is considered one of the
best Midget tracks in the east and NEMA proves that
every time they visit.”

Back in 1951, the record for 12 laps was 4:05.3.
Today, the Midgets need only six minutes to do 25
yellow-free laps.

The AllStar Race Trucks, Pro4 Modifieds and Allison
Legacy Cars are on the Speedbowl schedule as well.

The annual mid-season classic, the Pepsi 300, is
“where it belongs, July 1,” says owner/promoter Terry
Eames. “We are justly proud of our NASCAR Saturday
night divisions and this is their showcase. The
“Pepsi” features 100 lappers for the SKs and Late
Models and 50 lappers for the Sportsman and Mini
Stocks.

“Every season our five divisions produce 50 or so
individual winners,” continued Eames. “That is
testimony to the competition level at the Speedbowl.”

Season ticket information is available by calling the
Speedbowl office at 860-442-1585.

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