The Late Model

A hybrid version of NASCAR’s Late Model Stock Car, the Speedbowl’s Late Models run under the sponsorship of Bob Valenti’s Auto Mall of Mystic, CT. While they have the appearance of a street car, there’s little else about these rockets that you can call “stock”. They sport over 400 horsepower, 10 inch slicks and full bodies from cars like the Chevy Monte Carlo, Ford Fusion, Dodge Charger and Toyota Camry. They compete at the Speedbowl in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series. Everybody’s been there. Bumper to bumper, steaming hot inside your car, the driver next to you seems so close you could reach over and touch him, and you can’t see a way to get out of the jam-up. That’s about what a Speedbowl Late Model driver is up against every week. The only difference is they’re hurtling around the track at close to 100 mph! This division is so evenly matched that it’s not uncommon to see the first 4 or 5 cars finish “under a blanket”.

Phil Rondeau, who won an impressive 6 division championships, is the all-time Speedbowl wins leader and only driver to win more than 100 feature events at the historic shoreline oval.

Many of the Speedbowl’s very best all-time racers have competed in the division, making it one of the favorites of many fans at the track.

Former Waterford Speedbowl Late Model division champions

2010    Timmy Jordan** 2011    Jeff Smith*                                                           
* Active Waterford Speedbowl Late Model competitor
** Active Waterford Speedbowl competitor

- 1971-1974 division name was Sportsman Sedans – 1975-1979 division name was Grand Americans – 1980-1986 division name was Super Stocks – 1987-1998; 2001-present division name is Late Models – 1999-2000 division name was American Challenge Series