By Dave Dykes                                                                                   (Click on any Photo for Full Size version)

It was the return of the Busch East on Saturday night, and as is the norm, the place was pretty much packed. Personally, I’m still trying to figure out just what the fascination is with this division and its follow-the-leader stuff, but hey, that’s just me (and what do I know?).

Matt Kobyluck of nearby Uncasville, CT. won the event but not before expertly depositing Sean Caisse into the back chute wall, thereby all but eliminating the only other driver in this field of taxicabs seemingly capable of capturing the event.

Although the less said about the show the better, they did manage to set one very significant record. This time the field went an entire five laps after the initial green before forming their trademark follow-the leader formation. The last time I witnessed this full-fender spectacle, it only took them three circuits……

In the SK’s, it was second generation driver & former track champ Jeff Pearl taking his third feature of the year, while it was Jeff Miller rebounding from a horrendous crash the week before to annex the Mini win.

Due to a persistent band of light showers that had moved into the area, the show was called a few laps into the Late Model feature. The Sportsman main never made it out to the track, and along with the Late Model feature, will be run at a later date (check the Speedbowl website for details).

Auto racing writer extraordinaire Bones Bourcier was a welcome visitor to the Bowl’ Saturday night and spent a littlie time mingling with the locals. Up North to do a little visiting, he was making a swing of some of some of his old haunts before heading back home. It’s always a pleasure to “shoot the bull” with Bones, especially when the talk turns to the old days at Plainville Stadium….

Former Sportsman standout Ed Gertsch was found wandering the pits, and tells me that he and Dick Mills are presently working on an SK Light machine that’s slated to be campaigned at Stafford. Old Ed has been a scarce sight around Waterford as of late, as it seems that he’s been spending a lot of time running a Quarter Midget team for the offspring.

The Late Model division has been suffering from a somewhat low car-count, but seemed to have rebounded a bit Saturday evening with a few cars coming back into the frey. Alan Coates, along with Bruce Thomas Jr. were both present and running strongly. Coates had taken a bit of time off to dedicate more time to his recently-opened business on Rt. 84 in Groton. Coates Automotive is a full-service repair center, and from the amount of cars on the premises, seems to be doing a banner business.

Speaking of the Late Models, point-leader Tim Jordan took a nasty equipment-damaging ride just before officials pulled the plug on his main event. According to a post-race conversation with the young Mr. Jordan, it’s going to be a few late nights before the potent # 47 is back in race-ready trim. Also involved was Larry Goss, who’s had more than his fair share of bad luck in 2006.

For Labor Day weekend, the Bowl’ has come up with a novel concept entitled the “Double Down Shootout”. The event will showcase double-features for all weekly divisions. The second race for each class will be lined-up in reverse order, and will not be a point event, but rather an all-out drive for the checkered. The payout will be based on the combined finishing order from both events. A first for the shoreline oval, and it should be an interesting affair.

And with that, it’s a wrap. Contact me at ddykes@originnet.net