By Dan Nowak, Register Staff
dnowak@newhavenregister.com

Waterford Speedbowl’s second annual Thunder on the Sound show is aptly named with a whirlwind of events offered for racing fans on Saturday with Hurricane Earl passing to our east today.

The eight-race program features the 100-lap Modified Racing Series tour, which makes its third and final stop of the season at Waterford. The SK Modifieds, Late Models, Street Stocks, Mini Stocks, Trucks feature, Legend Cars and Allison Legacy Series complete the racing that is part of a Saturday program that kicks off a little earlier than usual.

Gates open 90 minutes earlier than usual at 12:30 p.m. and the feature racing events start at 4:45 p.m.

Contributing to the “thunder” aspect of the event will be an appearance by a UH-60 Black Hawk military helicopter. It’s big enough to transport 11 troops and equipment or carry 2,600 pounds of cargo. The appearance is presented by the Connecticut National Guard as part of Military Appreciation Night at the track.

“This ranks as a must-see event on our schedule,” track owner and promoter Terry Eames said. “Our opening and closing weekends see more divisions involved. But this event has a little of everything with eight race divisions including one of the best touring series around with the Modified Racing Series, plus the scheduled Black Hawk chopper appearance.”

Stephen Masse of Bellingham, Mass. won the Modified Racing Series’ second 2010 appearance at Waterford last month. Doug Coby of Milford won the first MRS event at Waterford in the track’s season-opening weekend in March.

“Southern New England, and Connecticut in particular, is Modfied country,” Eames said. “The fan base is very strong here and a lot of race teams are based out of Connecticut. So there is local interest in an event like the Modified Racing Series. Plus the Speedbowl is one of the most competitive race tracks in the Northeast. It’s fast, has two racing grooves and I think the fans enjoy knowing the potential is high for a great event every time they walk through the gates.

“The Modified Racing Series has done a great job and earned a solid reputation. We appreciate hosting them and we couldn’t be happier offering it to our fans.”

In 11 overall appearances by the Modified Racing Series at the Speedbowl, Coby has two wins and is the only multiple MRS winner at Waterford.

Coby, Masse, Les Hinckley of Windsor Locks and Rowan Pennink of Huntington Valley, Pa. are among the favorites this weekend. Eames believes Coby has an advantage over the other MRS drivers who don’t compete at Waterford on a regular basis. The series comes to Waterford after an appearance at Thompson International Speedway last week (Aug. 26). Pennink won the Thompson MRS event. Continued...

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“Doug Coby has been racing in our SK Modifieds the past six to eight weeks this year, so he’s probably more in tune with the track’s current characteristics,” Eames said. “He’ll tell you that the Speedbowl is one of his favorite race tracks and that he understands the track well. He’s comfortable using the outside groove too. So all around, he’s definitely the one to watch in the (MRS) event.”

As far as Hurricane Earl is concerned, track officials are monitoring it but don’t expect racing to be affected.

“It’s New England and we’re used to handling the cards Mother Nature deals,” Eames said. “We’re definitely monitoring Earl’s track, but all indications are on Saturday the sun will be back out and we’re planning to go racing.”

STAFFORD CANCELED TONIGHT

Management at Stafford Motor Speedway has decided to cancel tonight’s weekly racing event due to the inclement weather expected. Racing resumes next Friday (Sept. 10) highlighted by the debut appearance of the Modified Racing Series at Stafford.

Dan Nowak can be reached

at dnowak@newhavenregister.com.

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