NORWICH BULLETIN MINI STOCK DIVISION


Once considered the Speedbowl's "entry division," the four-cylinder Mini Stocks have developed into a solid, self-sustaining group and run under the sponsorship of the Norwich Bulletin. The division first came to the Speedbowl on Saturday nights in 1995. "There are really not a lot of secrets left" according to all-time division win leader Dan Darnstaedt. "New guys coming in catch on and that results in some real racing action. If you want to win you better figure on side-by-side racing. It has become very competitive. Look at the number of winners we've had over the years."
Henry Ford once said "you can have your Model T in any color as long as it's black". It's kind of like that in the Mini Stocks. You can win in any car you want as long as it's a 4 cylinder Mustang. Yea, some other makes are allowed, but it's really about a full field of almost identical 'Stangs running side by side. The drivers here have to learn to be 'smooth' early on to be successful.
Current Speedbowl drivers that started off in the Mini Stocks and progressed through the ranks include Bruce Thomas Jr., Brandon Plemons, Diego Monahan and others.
In 2008 it was another second-generation driver making his presence known at the shoreline oval, as Ken Cassidy Jr. (#11) handily annexed the title, the second consecusitive ('07 & '08) for the popular young racer. Following in the footsteps of his father Ken Sr., a one-time Street Stock & Super Stock competitor, he was a model of consistency in visiting victory lane.
Former Waterford Speedbowl Norwich Bulletin Mini Stock Champions
1995 Jeff Karns
1996 Dan Darnstaedt
1997 Bruce Thomas Sr.
1998 Jeff Miller
1999 Jeff Miller
2000 Jimmy Pont
2001 Bruce Thomas Jr.**
2002 Brandon Plemons**
2003 Joe Perry**
2004 Glen Colvin*
2005 Danny Field*
2006 Danny Field*
2007 Ken Cassidy Jr.*
2008 Ken Cassidy Jr.*
* Active Waterford Speedbowl Mini Stock Competitor
** Active Waterford Speedbowl Competitor
