Bennett, O’Sullivan rack up wins in Twin 20 Legends Loomis, Shafer, Harkin, also post Wild and Wacky victories

WATERFORD — Marc Shafer was the winner in the Super X car division. Ed Loomis won the X-Car feature, Maddie Harkin was the winner in the Bandoleros. Peter Bennett was the Legend car division winner in feature one. John O’Sullivan was the Legend car winner in feature two.
Peter Bennett and John O’Sullivan were the two fastest Legend car drivers Wednesday. Mike Blaskey, meanwhile, was the most consistent. All three had big nights in the Twin 20 Legend car races, which were the feature attractions during the Wild and Wacky Wednesday competition May 30 at the New London-Waterford Speedbowl.
Bennett took the lead on lap 8 to win the first feature, while O’Sullivan, who started on the pole, dominated every lap to win the second 20-lap feature. Blaskey, meanwhile, finished second in both races to move into the point lead.
Bennett started the first feature in the eighth position, but it didn’t take him long to move to the front. He blistered by Brandon Martinez with 12 laps to go to take over the lead.
It wasn’t a done deal, however. Blaskey, who started 11th, was able to move into second, but couldn’t find a way past Bennett.
“I knew Mike was coming,” Bennett said. “And there was oil on the track so the conditions weren’t that great. So I just concentrated on keeping my line and I kept Mike behind me.”
O’Sullivan had a mediocre 10th place finish in the opener, but he started on the pole in the second race. He roared into the lead as soon as the green flag came out and no one could track him down, despite two late-race caution flags.
“The first race did not go as planned,” O’Sullivan said. “I was pretty bad out there. But I got lucky with the redraw and we started the second race on the pole. I have to thank my crew. In the second race, I was able to keep everyone behind me.”
Even Blaskey, who had a fast car at the end of the race, but had to settle for second..
Other winners Wednesday were Maddie Harkin in the 20-lap Bandolero feature, Eddie Loomis in the 25-lap X-Car feature and Marc Shafer in the 25-lap Super X Car feature.
Harkin was in third place with five laps remaining in the Bandolero race, but was able to torpedo past both Ethan Simmons and Nick Hovey to muscle her way to the front. Her car made contact with Hovey’s car at the finish line, but Harkin was able to win by a bread crumb.
“All I want to do is win,” Harkin said, “so whatever I have to do is what I’m going to do,”
In this case, it was a bold move to the inside of Hovey. It was Harkin’s second straight win.”
Eddie Loomis, known as “The Neon Cowboy,” came from the 16th starting position to post the X-Car win. After a lap 13 caution bunched the field, Loomis was able to scamper under Will Rheaume to grab the lead for keeps.
“There’s no question my car was on rails,” Loomis said. “The leader moved to the outside, I stayed on the inside and I was able to get the win.”
Steven Olsen was a contender throughout the race, finishing third.
Marc Shafer looked like he would have to settle for a second place finish in the 25-lap Super X Car race. His car, however, came alive with two laps to go, as he thundered around Ray Reed on lap 24 to get the win.
“I was just having fun out there,” Shafer said. “My crew was great. They made a late adjustment on the car, and it stuck.”
Dave Yardley moved up into second place and Don Berge was third. Jason Larivee Jr., Reed and Denny Lee Hoffman were disqualified after the race.
Racing resumes Saturday at the Speedbowl with a busy program. The SK Modifieds will be making their first appearance of the season in a 40-lap feature. They will be joined by the Sportsmen, Mini-Stocks, Open Vintage Modifieds and Legends. In addition the first Spectator Drags competition will be held. The final event of the night will be a Compact-Mid-size Enduro.
The drag racing starts at 4:30 p.m. Qualifying begins at 5 p.m.with features to follow.

20-lap Bandoleros: 1. Maddie Harkin, Portsmouth, R.I.; 2. Nick Hovey, Chaplin; 3. Ethan Simmons, Pawcatuck,; 4. Tyler Barry, Griswold; 5. Ari Jencik, Canton; 6. Sawyer Reiss, Guilford; 7. Brody Monahan, Waterford; 8. PJ Evans, Uncasville; 9. Tyler Alkas, Berlin; 10. Teddy Welch, Griswold,

20-lap Legends feature No. 1: 1. Peter Bennett, Cromwell; 2. Michael Blaskey, Bethany; 4. Shileigh Martinez, North Kingston, R.I.; 4. Brandon Martinez, North Kingston, R.I.; 5. Mason Levesque, Dighton, Mass.; 6. Jessica O’Leary, Warwick, R.I.; 7. Devon Jencik, Canton; 8. Anthony Bello, Newtown; 9. Colin Haley, Ashford; 10. John O’Sullivan, Salem.

20-lap Legends feature No. 2: 1. John O’Sullivan, Norwich; 2. Michael Blaskey, Bethany; 3. Peter Bennett, Cromwell; 4. Brandon Martinez, North Kingston, R.I.; 5. Mason Levesque, Dighton, Mass.; 6. Devon Jencik, Canton; 7. Dave Lespinasse, Milford; 8. Jessica O’Leary, Warwick, R.I.; 9. Anthony Bello, Newtown; 10. David Shindler, Granby.

25-lap X Car feature:  1. Eddie Loomis, Plainfield; 2. Will Rheaume, Uncasville; 3. Steven Olsen, Essex; 4. Bill Rheaume, Uncasville; 5. Corey Caddick, Richmond, R.I.; 6. Dylan Decoster, Richmond, R.I.; 7. Josh Cicio, Seymour; 8. CP Burdick, Deep River; 9. Gregg Sajkowicz, N/A/; 10. Matt Westover, Charlestown, R.I.

25-lap Super X Car feature: 1. Marc Shafer, Groton; 2. Dave Yardley, Berlin; 3. Don Berge, Uncasville; 4. Peter Martin, Plainville; 5. Keith Brown, Griswold; 6. Mitch Bombard, Willimantic; 7. Jeremy Washburn, N/A; 8. Aaron Plemons, Uncasville; 9. Jason Larivee Jr., Uncasville; 10. Bud Kuehne, Clinton

Press release from the New London-Waterford Speedbowl
Contact Mike Serluca at 860-442-7223 or e-mail: mikes@speedbowlct.com