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www.jeff-pearl.com: 10/10/09 Waterford Late Model Results
Jordan closes season with back-to-back wins
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Rich Staskowski of Hope Valley, Rhode Island took the early race lead to pace the 100-lap Bob Valenti Auto Mall Late Models until Tim Jordan took over on the outside on lap 21. After a few early cautions, the field settled in for a long distance run of green flag competition through the race’s mid-stages.
During that run, Dennis Botticello of Suffield moved to second on lap 27 looking primed to challenge Jordan at the front. Tom Metcalf of North Stonington, competing in Bruce Thomas Jr.’s championship #35, also looked strong coming through to third as on lap 34. Staskowski was hanging with the top runners in fourth.
Botticello began to fade after halfway as the race stayed under green, losing the handles on the #03. First he dropped second to Metcalf on lap 72, then Staskowski took third from him a lap later. Mark Bakaj of Lebanon was making steady progress through the field and into the top five when caution finally waved on lap 83 to stop the long run. Pawcatuck’s Joe Curioso spun in turn two, resetting the field.
With 12 laps remaining trouble struck the lead pack as Metcalf, Bakaj and Botticello got together in turn three, eliminating Botticello. But the race belonged to Jordan. He went on to his third win of the year over Ernie Bertrand of North Branford, Bakaj, Jeff Smith of Old Lyme and Metcalf.
The division points title was already wrapped up for Groton’s Bruce Thomas Jr., his third consecutive in the division. |
photo courtesy Race Dog Photography |
| Pos | Driver |
| 1 |
Tim Jordan |
| 2 |
Ernie Bertrand |
| 3 |
Mark Bakaj |
| 4 |
Jeff Smith |
| 5 |
Tom Metcalf |
| 6 |
Marc Curtis |
| 7 |
Rich Staskowski |
| 8 |
Jeff Miller |
| 9 |
Duane Noll |
| 10 |
Mark Hudson |
| 11 |
Matt Bettencourt |
| 12 |
Dennis Botticello |
| 13 |
Dennis Stampfl |
| 14 |
Joe Curioso |
| 15 |
Robert Leblanc Jr |
| 16 |
Rich Duranti |
| 17 |
Junior Woods |
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