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The True Value Modified Series Invades the “Speedbowl”

Coby Surfs to Victory, Winning the Waterford 100

By Dave Meredith

Doug Coby earned a hard fought win over Mike Stefanik, a seven-time NASCAR regional touring series champion, and Chris Pasteryak, the current True Value Modified Series Champion. Coby on the cool down lap established a new celebration as he powered the #20 modified through the wet and muddy infield at the Waterford Speedbowl. Coby who said, “it’s his signature move” ala Carl Edwards’ back flips or other drivers’ burnouts or doughnuts. He went on to say, “the guys needed little work in the shop next week.”

Coby continued, “I love the outside here but it just wasn’t working out there.  I stomped the brake, made a left, and threw it in under him -- a move used on me. It worked I was able to pass on the inside on the restart knowing Chris would probably run about foot higher than usual to protect the outside.”

The local favorite and former SK track champion, Chris Pasteryak, won for the first time in August 16^th, 2008 on the TVMRS. Pasteryak took the field to the green as he and Owens battled for the lead, with Pasteryak pulling ahead.

The starting line up for the Waterford 100: 1) 15 Chris Pasteryak, 2) 29 Todd Owens, 3) 73 Jonathon Mc Kennedy, 4) 0 Mike Holdridge , 5) 06 Les Hinckley, 6) 66 Mike Stefanik, 7) 10X Ed Dachenhausen, 8) 3 Jeff Malave, 9) 69 Jim Dolan, 10) 00 Ted Christopher, 11) 20 Doug Coby, 12) 71 Jeff Pearl, 13) 23 Mike Douglas, 14) 17 Jack Bateman, 15) 28 Dwight Jarvis, 16) 18 Eddy Spiers, 17) 13 Steve Masse, 18) 60 Glen Griswold, 19) 25Rowan Pennink , 20) 5 Charlie Pasteryak, 21) 9nh Peter Jarvis, 22) 51 Rob Janovic Jr., 23) 27 Kevin Iannarelli, 24) 1NH Rob Goodenough, 25) 77 Ken White Jr., 26) 55 Joe Doucette.

Ed Dachenhausen in the #10x and the #77 of Kenny White Jr., brought out the first caution. The track crew cleaned up the backstretch as the field lined up for the restart.

Chris Pasteryak controls the race on lap two as Todd Owens and Mike Holdridge battle for second and third. Mike Stefanik is on the move in the 66. Lap 10) 15, 29, 0, 73, 66, 3, 20,

With 12 laps on counter, Pasteryak is holding the point. Current Whelen Modified Tour champion, Ted Christopher, is driving the #00 Joe Brady modified and hits the turn 3 wall. Christopher apparently had a flat tire. The #00 left on the tow truck. Pasteryak continues to lead with Owens, Holdridge, McKennedy, Stefanik, Malave, Coby, Pearl, and Jimmy Dolan are the top ten.

Lap 25 the leaders are still the same with Jarvis looking inside of Douglas for 8^th, finally making the pass on the outside.  Lap 35 brings caution for Rowan Pennink in turn four inside. Dachenhausen returns to the track after a first lap skirmish. Awaiting the restart, Pasteryak leads as Stefanik and Holdridge battle for second. Stefanik claims second on the inside followed by Coby. Caution flies on lap 40 with Holdridge, Malave, and many others involved. The #3 of Malave left on the hook - we’ll see if he comes back.

Numerous recalled restarts tonight as the drivers were a little eager to get to the front.

Restart recall as Pasteryak may have moved early. Pasteryak again leads over Stefanik, Coby, Owens, Pearl, Jarvis, Hinckley, Masse, Mc Kennedy, and Dolan at the halfway mark.

Pasteryak had a 6-car length lead when the caution flag flew again on lap 58 as Jarvis slides to the infield. In turn 2 Pennink and Griswold get together, though both were able to continue. Pasteryak shows the way as Coby and Stefanik battle and Coby claimed second on the restart.

Leaders lap 65: Pasteryak, Coby, Stefanik, Hinckley, Masse, Owen and McKennedy. Caution again on lap 80 as Glenn Griswold made contact with the turn 3 wall. On the restart another recall to line the field up again as Coby may have left a bit too soon.  Side-by-side Pasteryak and Coby challenge each other for supremacy as Mike Stefanik waits patiently. Coby pulls out to lead as Stefanik now works on Pasteryak. Lap 84 sees caution as Pennink and Kenny White Jr., along with a few more cars tangle in turn 1. Pennink and White were able to continue.

Restart - Coby, Stefanik, Pasteryak, Hinckley. On lap 95 Jeff Pearl spins in the #71. The restart was single file, but called back as John Spence Jr., didn’t like the start. Stefanik was able to head outside on the ensuing restart but that was all Stefanik could do. Doug Coby wins Waterford 100 pulling away.

Mike Stefanik said, “On the outside I got my right rear too hot. I want to thank Brad LaFontaine and the team for giving me good car tonight.”

The Finish:

1) Doug Coby, 2) Mike Stefanik, 3) Chris Pasteryak, 4) Les Hinckley, 5) Steve Masse, 6) Jon Mc Kennedy, 7) Mike Douglas, 8) Todd Owen, 9) Rob Janovic, 10) Jimmy Dolan, 11) Rob Goodenough, 12) Mike Holdridge, 13) Joe Doucette, 14) Rowan Pennink, 15) Kenny White Jr., 16) Jeff Pearl, 17) Kevin Iannarelli, 18) Ed Spiers, 19 Glenn Griswold, 20) Dwight Jarvis, 21) Peter Jarvis, 22) Jack Bateman, 23) Charlie Pasteryak, 24) Jeff Malave, 25) Ted Christopher, and 26) Ed Dachenhausen.

The Speedbowl alumni and regulars had three top ten finishers: Doug Coby, Chris Pasteryak, and Rob Janovic. And plenty of names from the old Riverside Park Speedway in the event: Stefanik, Hinckley, Owen, Christopher, Bateman, Spiers, Jarvis.      

Heat Races:

Charlie Pasteryak of Lisbon, CT, in the #5 had his day cut short when he was collected by the #4 of Tony Ricci of Westbrook, ME, when he broke hard and spun loose into Pasteryak during the first heat. Thirty-one True Value Modifieds were on hand to challenge the shoreline oval.

Pasteryak was able to repair the modified and will compete in one of the two consolation races tonight. Mike Holdridge of Madison, CT, Ted Christopher of Plainville, CT, and Ed Dachenhausen of Danbury, CT, battled to finish 3rd and 4^th. Mike Douglas of Auburn, NH was 5^th and Eddie Spiers took the final transfer spot. Spiers is from Beacon Falls, CT.

The second heat race was won by #29 Todd Owens of Somers, CT. He was followed by #06 Les Hinckley Jr. of Windsor Locks, CT, #3 Jeff Malave of Manchester, CT, #20 Doug Coby of Milford, CT, #17 Jack Bateman of Canaan, NH, #13 Steven Masse of Bellingham, MA.  Owens started on the pole and held off all challengers to take the top transfer spot in the heat.

Heat #3. Jimmy Dolan of Bethel, CT, and Dave Etheridge took the 10 modifieds to the green with the #69 of Dolan jumping out on the first attempt. On the second attempt Goodenough spins. The third attempt was good with Dolan and Mc Kennedy leading. Lap 4 Mike Stefanik of Coventry, RI, takes 3^rd, while Jeff Pearl of Salem, CT, moves to fourth as caution flies and Shelly Perry spins. Jon Mc Kennedy takes the lead on lap 7 with Stefanik, Dolan, Pearl following. Mc Kennedy wins heats.

Rowan Pennink of Huntington Valley, PA, won the consolation race to transfer to the main event. Joining Pennink moving over were: Rob Goodenough, Peter Jarvis, Charlie Pasteryak, and Rob Janovic.

Dave Meredith is an avid modified racing writer/photographer, currently working with Busch Sport Scene, The Chrome Horn and various websites and publication. You can contact me at Dave@meredithimages.com or racenfish@aol.com. Dave tries to cover many different events each racing season from the home base of Stratford CT.