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NOCELLA
VISITS SPEEDBOWL VICTORY LANE
FOR THIRD VMRS WIN |
 Anthony
Nocella, of Woburn, MA, started 18th in a 20-car
field, worked his way to the lead on lap-72, and
went on to win his third Valenti Modified Racing
Series victory and his first in a modified race car
at the historic New London-Waterford Speedbowl, in
Waterford Connecticut.
The series point leader registered his 9th VMRS win
tying him with Steve Masse on the all-time win list.
Pole sitter Todd Annarummo led the opening 13-laps
before Keith Rocco grabbed the lead and held it
through lap-55.
19-time series winner Les Hinckley Jr started 19th
and worked his way to the front not once, but twice,
in the 100-lap event. Hinckley led laps 57 through
67 before Jeffrey Gallup wrestled the lead away and
held the point through the 71st circuit. Nocella
took command from that point on wheeling his back-up
car to its second consecutive victory.
Starting deep in the lineup Nocella spoke of his
pre-race strategy when the green flag dropped.
“Tried to just pace myself..they got single file a
little bit there..tried to get a few spots so we’d
have a little bit of cushion. I kind of had a pace
in mind I wanted to run and keep it nice and
straight.”
Nocella added “Got up to sixth and watched the
leaders up front. I knew they were going at it hard.
Stayed back in case they got into each other. They
started to back up to us … we had enough tire that
made the pass a little easier.”
Hinckley, of Windsor Locks CT, pitted on a lap-71
caution flag moving front tires to the rear of the
car with hopes of a strong run to the finish.
Hinckley, one of the series original competitors,
made for an interesting finish bringing the crowd
alive as he chased after the lead for the second
time
“From the back to the front twice,” said a smiling
Hinckley during post race inspections. “At the
beginning I didn’t go so hard and then raced up
through. That battle with Keith Rocco) and another
car I got trapped on the bottom and Keith was a
little wide and I beat it up a bit. When I got to
the lead it started to back up so when we got the
caution I had to pit.”
Hinckley concluded, “ It was a good race – one spot
short. Anthony’s got a good program going. I’m happy
for him. nice family and congratulations to them.”
Jeffrey Gallup, of Feeding Hills, MA, grabbed
another podium finish. The second-generation racer
opened eyes at the end of last season and has many
thinking he is on the rise in his young career.
“ I was glad to be back at Waterford and to be able
to race here again. We were a little bit short at
the end. I had a good car early on. Tried to save
enough but a little to tight at the end,” said
Gallup.
Early leader Annarummo had a strong run and finished
fourth with Sammy Rameau rounding out the top five.
George Sherman, Kyle James, Dennis Perry, newcomer
Anthony Flannery, and Matt Mead, finished sixth
through tenth.
Mead crashed in practice and appeared to be done for
the day. Mead and crew, with the help of others,
took on the challenge of making the race and rolled
out in 20th starting position and finished 10th on
the lead lap.
Five drivers lead the race with only four cautions
for minor mishaps. The race was completed in 42
minutes.
Annarummo (1) James (2) and Flannery (3) nabbed heat
wins.
Next Event: New England Short Track Showdown
New Hampshire Motor Speedway
Loudon, New Hampshire
July 1, 2017
Race Summary
New London-Waterford Speedbowl
Waterford, CT
Race # 4
June 24, 2017
Entrants: 20
Distance: 100-laps
Lap Leaders: Annarummo (1-12) Rocco (14-55)
Hinckley (56-67) Gallup (68-71) Nocella (72-100)
Cautions: Laps 11, 43, 71, and 89
Unofficial Order Of Finish: (1) Nocella, (2)
Hinckley (3) Gallup (4) Annarummo (5) Rameau (6)
Sherman (7) James
(8) Perry (9) Flannery (10) Mead (11) Willis (12)
Fournier (13) Rocco (14) Molleur (15) Doucette (16)
Lashua (17) Robbie
(18) Medeiros (19) Etheridge (20) Richardi
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Source:
John Spence / Valenti Modified Racing Series
Posted:
June 24, 2017 |
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