The Speedbowl entered the new millenium with significant changes at the track. For the 3rd time since it was originally built, the track property was sold. Waterford Sports Center, Inc, who had bought the property from Harvey Tattersall in February 1989, sold the track to 1080 Hartford Road, LLC a group headed by Terry Eames. Eames had been the track operator & promoter since the 1995 season. 2000 also marked the return of the Waterford Speedbowl operating under a NASCAR sanction for the first time since 1987. SK Modified drivers became eligible to compete both regionally and nationally with other sanctioned short tracks through the NASCAR Dodge Weekly Racing Series. The Late Models became eligible for NASCAR’s Exide Shortrack Series. The NASCAR Featherlite Modified Series would return after over a decade absence and the NASCAR Busch North Series would add the Speedbowl to their schedule as well.
Phil Rondeau once again fell short of a 7th title when he finished 18 points behind Jay Stuart. The long time rivalry between the two crafty veterans continued throughout the 2000 season. Stuart led the divisions in wins (6), including the season-opening 50 lapper, on his way to the championship. He also earned NASCAR’s Exide Shortrack New England Region Championship as well. Rondeau had 5 wins, while Late Model rookie Chris “Moose” Douton won 4 times and swept the two 100 lap events in his first season in the division. After season’s end, the American Challenge experiment was over and by the time the 2001 season rolled around, the division was once again called Late Models.
Dennis Gada repeated as SK Champion to join his father Bob and brother Dave as 2-time Champions. Mark Lajeunesse won the rain shortened 101 lap event during the Budweiser Modified Nationals taking $5,000 for the win. Tucker Reynolds Jr won the 100 lap portion of the Pepsi 300 while Ron Yuhas Jr won his second consecutive Town Fair Tire Finale 100. Ted Christopher won a feature event at Waterford in a 12th different season.
several new events that came to the Speedbowl
under the NASCAR sanction in 2000
(Howie Hodge photo)
Former weekly SK Modified competitor, Ed Flemke Jr set a new lap time record for NASCAR’s Modified Tour with a 13.971 qualifying time trial for the New England Dodge Dealers 150. The event was won by Jerry Marquis after Mike Christopher, driving the Billy ‘Bear’ Calicchio #14 car, was disqualified in post race inspection. Dennis Demers set the NASCAR Busch North lap time record while qualifying for the Budweiser 150. Brad Leighton won the event.
The Strictly Stock division was renamed Sportsman in 2000 and there were 12 different winners during the season, led by Shawn Monahan and Ray Downing Jr who both made 3 trips to victory lane. Ted Dupre won his first Championship over Diego Monahan. Chris “Moose” Douton won the season ending 50 lapper on the same day he won the Late Model 100 lap event. At the time, he joined the legendary Don Collins, who did it over 40 years prior, as the only competitors to win feature events in separate divisions on the same day. Shawn Monahan won the 50 lapper in July, Joe Mancini Jr won the season opening 30 lap event.
To begin it’s 6th season as part of the Saturday night series, the Mini Stocks were moved from their traditional 6pm feature start and became part of the regular rotation of features for the Saturday point divisions. The 4-cylinder division embraced the main stage with a season long championship battle between the popular drivers Jimmy Pont and Roger Perry which went down to the Finale’s season ending 50 lapper. Roger Perry’s championship bid collapsed when he crashed into the front stretch wall after contact with Jim Rix Jr. His crew got him back on the track, albeit many laps down, to an appreciative roar from his fans. Pont, who finished the race in 4th, capped off a consistent season which included 17 top 10’s, 10 top 5’s, 1 feature win and his first track championship. Perry won the extra-distance 30 lapper to open the season. Jeff Miller and Bruce Thomas won the two 50-lap events.
of the Speedbowl’s 50 Favorite Drivers by event
organizer Dave Dykes in 2000 (Rene Dugas photo)
During the Nostalgia Weekend event on Saturday July 29th, the Speedbowl unveiled their 50 Favorite Drivers list as part of their 50th season celebration. Most of the living members attended the event, which proved very popular with the fans in attendance.
Fan favorite Tucker Reynolds Jr won the Most Popular SK Modified Driver award for a 4th consecutive year.
SPEEDBOWL DOC SERIES
Segment on the 50 Favorite Drivers unveiled in 2000.
Segment on Dennis Gada’s 5 straight SK Modified Championships driving Harry Wyant’s #3