A strong crowd converged on the Speedbowl Saturday for a busy card of racing, and that’s just what they got, LOTS of racing. Ten feature events went off in rapid succession, and when it was time to dim the lights after the final checker, there was plenty to reflect upon.
 
Two drivers clinched the titles in their respective divisions, a Pastor showed his fellow “Men of the Cloth” the fast way around a race track, and we lost another long-time Modified competitor to retirement.
 
After decades behind the wheel of a race car, John Brouwer Jr. has called it quits. Citing the escalating costs of the sport coupled with a desire to spend more time with his family as the main reasons for getting out, the former Late Model Champion has called it a day. In an emotional farewell to the fans following the first of the evenings dual SK features, Brouwer stated that he’d sold off all his equipment and would no longer be behind the wheel on Saturday nights as he’s been for so many years.
 
The Brouwer name has been synonymous with Waterford since the very beginning in April of 1951. The family was there when it all started, and helped usher in the then-new sport of auto racing to the shoreline area of Connecticut. John’s Grandfather was instrumental in getting the track up & running in the wild 1950’s, his Father John served in many capacities at Waterford, as well as becoming a respected racing journalist and author in later years. Starting in the Late Model division, John Jr. honed his skills to the point of winning a Championship in the class during what was no doubt its most competitive era.  Emerging from the full-fendered wars, he went on to become one of Waterford's most competitive SK drivers, winning several features during his career in the Speedbowl's headlining division.
 
Hearing John’s announcement on Saturday night kind of made yours truly feel a bit dated. In looking through some old archived photos the other night, I came upon an image of a driver that was in the early stages of what would become a Waterford career that lasted over three decades. There in the photo of Mark LaJeunesse’s first victory lane shot way back in 1974 was a young John Brouwer Jr. along with the other kids sharing in the spotlight of a favorite driver’s first win. He was just a youngster, but by the look on his face you could tell that he was already captivated by the sport just as his Grandfather and Father had become years earlier.
 
Racing today can sometimes become a bit too serious, but rest assured, Johnny Brouwer Jr. always took the time to have fun. Whether it was shooting off Roman Candles on a pace lap, strapping various mascots to his roll cage (he had a “Chucky” doll along for the trip on his final ride), or hanging out after the races for a few laughs with friends, he always managed to have a good time. It’s not that he wasn’t a talented racer (the stats show that), it’s just that while at the track, he was going to make the most of it.
 
We need more Johnny Brouwer’s to put the spirit back in the game. He’s going to be missed, and that’s a fact.
 
It’s no secret now, as the story broke in an edition of last week’s Norwich Bulletin. Pete Zanardi, long-time Waterford Director of Media Relations is calling it a day at the end of the season. Zanardi helped guide the Speedbowl back to prominence upon coming unto the scene in the early 90’s. In a conversation with Pete on Saturday night, he revealed that he was somewhat puzzled and a bit dismayed with the manner in which possible candidates for his replacement were being discussed on message boards across the web. While several feelers have been sent out for a successor to his post, nothing has been formalized as this is written. Look for an announcement from Waterford Management when the new PR Director is identified.
 
As stated earlier, a couple of drivers clinched Championships Saturday night, one in his freshman year (a first). Tom Fox protégé Tim Jordan parlayed his rookie Late Model season into a track crown, and Danny Field sewed-up his title run in the Mini Stocks. Other titles are up in the air, but in the SK’s it’s a pretty good bet that Mr. Dennis Gada is going to pull-off another one….. 
 
In the second-annual “Faster Pastor” race (a fun event if there ever was one), Dan Valentine of Faith Church Ministries of Milford, CT. won the 10-lap contest. By the end of the race, these guys were getting around the track pretty darn good!
 
This weekend it’s an end-of-season extravaganza with wall-to-wall racing including the stars of the Mod Tour among others. Check the Speedbowl website for details on the schedule.
 
And with that, it’ll close out another one. Contact me at ddykes@originnet.net