Coastal Racing Association

Dick Williams had a long career as a crew member and later a track official before putting a group together to lease the Speedbowl from Harvey Tattersall Jr for the 1978 season. With his business partner Sam Cherenza, they formed the Coastal Racing Association. Despite a successful season that many competitors & fans thought revitalized the track, Williams and Tattersall couldn’t come to a long-term agreement so Dick left after just one season.

While having success at other tracks in the interim, Williams returned to Waterford in 1981. The Coastal Racing Association was now a 4 track circuit that included Thompson Speedway (CT), Westboro Speedway (MA) and Monadnock Speedway (NH). Williams became somewhat burned out running 4 tracks at once, and paired it all back down to the Speedbowl for 1982-1984.

Williams would continue the Speedbowl’s Blast Off event as their season opener and through his relationship with competitors was able to draw big names to the track for extra-distance or open competition Modified races. NEAR Hall of Famer Ron Bouchard, who was competing regularly on the NASCAR Cup Series at the time, made several appearances at the track during Williams’ tenure. The biggest promotion during Dick’s second stint at the Speedbowl was the late season Matco Tools 100, which ran all 4 seasons from 1981-1984.

The first NASCAR sanctioned events ever held at the Speedbowl came during Williams’ tenure, with NASCAR North races being held in 1982 and 1983, both won by Hall of Famer Dave Dion.

Despite being extremely popular with competitors, Williams struggled to turn a profit overall at the Speedbowl which ended his run as track promoter after the 1984 season. He returned to the racing scene 30 years later as one of the original owners/promoters of the Tri-Track Open Modified Series.

OPERATIONAL TENURE AT A GLANCE

OPERATIONAL TENURE	1978, 1981-1984
SANCTIONING BODY	Coastal Racing Association
EVENTS INTRODUCED	Matco Tools 100 (1981-1984)
REGIONAL SERIES INTRODUCED	1978 New England Mini Modified Association (now the New England Pro Four Modifieds)
	1982 NASCAR North Late Model Tour