Mucciacciaro makes his return WATERFORD SPEEDBOWL

Claims first win since 2006 in Speedbowl’s Modified Division

Waterford — Frank Mucciacciaro won the SK Modified Division on a chilly Saturday night at the Waterford Speedbowl, his first victory since 2006.

Keith Rocco of Meriden won his ninth Late Model feature, Danielson’s Ryan Waterman won his second Street Stock feature of the year and Ken Cassidy Jr. of Lisbon won another Mini Stock feature, recording a milestone in his career. Wayne Shifflett of Preston took down the checkered flag in the X-Car race.

Mucciacciaro earned a hardfought victory to end a draught that stretched back several seasons. He benefitted by way of starting on the pole, but was fast from the start. He took the lead over Jeff Gallup from Agawam, Mass., then endured four yellow flags.

His stiffest competition came from another veteran driver, 1997 track champion Todd Ceravolo of Gales Ferry. Ceravolo moved into second place on lap 12 and hounded Mucciacciaro from there.

Mucciacciaro was up to the task on each restart, the final coming with 11 laps remaining. He held back every charge Ceravolo mounted to capture the victory. Ceravolo settled for second place and Rob Janovic Jr. of Waterford finished third.

Waterman’s emotional Street Stock victory, due to the sudden passing of his mother earlier this summer, was a popular one with the crowd.

The young driver moved through the field early on to position himself third behind leaders Dwayne Dorr of Ledyard and Joe Arena of Bristol.

Arena dogged Dorr but couldn’t find a way around, eventually giving up second to Waterman on lap 15. Waterman didn’t stop there, continuing his march to the front by getting inside of Dorr into the lead on lap 17.

Waterman was ahead of two-time champion Al Stone of Durham on the restart, keeping a two-car length advantage between him and Stone, who finished second. Salem’s Corey Hutchings, the championship point leader, was third.

Cassidy’s victory was the 50th of his career in the Mini Stock division, putting him just outside the top 10 all- time at the Speedbowl in the track’s 63-year history. Cassidy took the lead on lap 8 during the race, which ran without a caution flag.

Dave Trudeau of Mansfield took home a strong second place finish in a rare appearance, with Garrett Denton of Hope Valley, R. I., finishing third. Denton trails Cassidy in the season point standings.

Rocco, who started fifth, was nearly flawless in the Late Model feature on his way to a ninth victory in 18 events for the division on the year. Ray Christian III of Groton was second and Jason Palmer of Berlin third.

Shifflett’s victory seemed improbable when he was caught up in a wild wreck in the 25-lap X-Car race.

CALENDAR — Annual meeting, Tuesday, Oct. 1, 7 p.m., Pawcatuck Firehouse. Election of the Board of Directors will take place. All arewelcome.

— Warrior for a Day softball clinic, Saturday, Oct. 12 between 9:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. at the Eastern Softball Field. Open to high school players grades 9-12. Cost: $95, which includes lunch and a tour. The clinic is under the direction of 13th-year Eastern head coach Diana Pepin and assistants Scott Ottochian and former four-time All-America Eastern pitcher Molly Rathbun. Contact: Diana Pepin at (860) 4655182 or at pepind@easternct.edu.

— For pitchers ages 8-18. Five lessons for $100, completed by Nov. 15. Contact: (860) 6083287 or visit www.pitchingeasy.com to email.