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 2009 champions Bruce Thomas Jr. and Brandon Plemons, along with Diego Monahan, Jeff Miller and others.
In 2009 a two-time division champion returned to the 'Bowl to challenge Ken Cassidy Jr.'s two-straight division titles. Danny Field prevailed by winning five times and finishing outside the top-five finishers just twice. It was his third division title at the Speedbowl, the most among any Mini Stock competitor in the division's relatively short history.
Danny Field on the track, and in 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.*
2009 Danny Field*
* Active Waterford Speedbowl Mini Stock Competitor
** Active Waterford Speedbowl Competitor
