WATERFORD — When it came time to give shout-outs to his team following his third consecutive SK Modified win at the New London Speedbowl, Tim Jordan wasted no time letting the fans know who was responsible.
“I could never do this without my dad,” said Jordan, who said his father is battling health issues, :It’s just me and him. Tonight, I did it for him.”
Jordan took the lead from Todd Owen on a lap 9 restart and went on to dominate the 35-lap feature. Thanks to his win streak, Jordan pulled to within 10 points of Owen for the Modified point lead.
“This is awesome,” Jordan said. “I never thought I could ever win three in a row. We struggled early. But my car is as good now as it has been all season.”
He needed it to be. Owen dominated the early laps, but couldn’t stay with Jordan on the restarts
“Timmy just had the better car,” Owen said, “There wasn’t much that I could do.”
Cory DiMatteo surged past Andrew Molleur late in the race to grab third.
Palmer and Christian hooked up in an unforgettable duel over the final 15 laps in the Late Model feature. Palmer was locked in on the outside and Christian tried to track him down on the inside. Palmer led, but never by more than 0.100. At the finish line, Palmer was able to grab the win by the length of a breadcrumb —the two drivers had the same transponder time as they thundered across the line.
“I always loved the top groove here,” Palmer said. “If you can move to the high side, you’ll usually take over the spot.”
Palmer did, thanks to his ability to exit Turn 2 with the lead. But Christian was in his hip pocket for the entire race.
“It’s just so tough to get off the bottom here,” Christian said.
O’Sullivan said he absorbed many shots to his back bumper during the 25-lap SK Lite Modified feature, but nothing could rattle his cage.
“The 28 (Buddy Charette) kept pounding me,” O’Sullivan said. “It was hard racing. And it was good racing.”
The race was congested with several caution flags in the early part of the race, which made it difficult for Sullivan to get to the front.
“MY spotter helped me get through the traffic,” O’Sullivan said. “He was huge.”
Garside came up huge in the Mini Stock feature, pouncing out to an early lead and maintaining it.
While Garside had a plush lead, the fight was for second between Charles Canfield and defending champ Doug Curry. Canfield was able to win the spot by 0.067.
“I would like to thank luck,” said Garside after jumping into the Mini Stock point lead. “It was a tough race.”
Churchill said he had a perfect care for the 20-lap Legends feature.
“My car was the best it’s ever been,” Churchill said. “I don’t thin it ever will be better than it was tonight.
His winning margin was more than 3 seconds over Brody Monahan, who finished second, his best finish of the season.
Racing continues Saturday with the Late Models, the Mini Stocks, the Street Stocks, the SK Lite Modifieds, the Legends, the Pro 4 Modifieds and the Compact Enduros,
35-lap SK Modifieds: 1. Timmy Jordan, Plainfield; 2. Todd Owen, Somers; 3. Cory DiMatteo, Farmington,; 4. Andrew Molleur, Shelton,; 5. Ronnie Williams, Tolland; 6. Mike Christopher Jr., Wolcott,; 7. Tony Membrino, Berlin’ 8. Anthony Flannery, East Hampton; 9. Bill Anderson, Wolcott; 10. Wendell Dailey, Gales Ferry,
25-lap SK Lite Modifieds: 1. John O’Sullivan III, Salem,; 2. Jonathan Puleo, Branford,; 3. Paul Charette, Woodstock; 4. Mike Mitchell, Cumberland,R.I.; 5. Wayne Burroughs, Oakdale; 6. Tyler Alkas, Kensington; 7. Evan Bourgeois, East Haddam; 8. Jake Hine, North Haven; 9. Charlie McDougall, Naugatuck,; 10. Jason Chapman, Ellington.
30-lap Late Models: 1. Jason Palmer, Berlin; 2. Raymond Christian, Uncasville; 3. Tyler Chapman, Mystic; 4. Michael Benevides, Westerly; 5. Chase Curtis, Rutland, Mass.’ 6. Jaret Curtis, Rutland, Mass.; 7. Keith Scalia, North Branford,; 8. Isaiah Newcomb, Plymouth, Mass.; 9. Charles Bailey IV, Lisbon; 10. Jason Williams, Lisbon.
25-lap Mini Stocks: 1. Christopher Garside, Groton; 2. Charles Canfield, East Haven; 3. Doug Curry, Groton; 4. Jared Roy, Sterling; 5. John Bavolacco, Stratford; 6. Tommy Silva, Gales Ferry; 7. Bill Sylvia, Preston; 8. David Dorr, Gales Ferry,; 9. Nicholas Pappacoda, North Branford; 10. Hailey Beal, Ledyard.
20-lap Legends: 1. Jordan Churchill, Lisbon,; 2. Brody Monahan; 4. John O’Sullivan III; 4. Scott Kinsman, Berlin,; 5. Ed Ryan Jr, Preston; 6. Scott Limkemann, Lebanon.