Stafford Speedway NAPA SK 5k by the numbers.....

Driver Rowan Pennink hungry for a win !

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

(Stafford Springs, CT)---Stafford Motor Speedway’s premier SK Modified® division will take part in the biggest race of the 2018 season, the NAPA Auto Parts SK 5k, this Friday night, June 29th.  Below is a look at the 5th annual NAPA Auto Parts SK 5k by the numbers as well as a statistical look at the top-20 in the SK Modified® points standings and how they have fared in the extra distance classic.

• 2 – Ted Christopher and Keith Rocco are the only drivers to have recorded a top-10 finish in each of the first four editions of the NAPA SK 5k.
• 4 – Number of different NAPA SK 5k feature winners (Rowan Pennink, Ryan Preece, Ted Christopher, Chase Dowling)
• 13 – Number of different drivers who have led laps in the NAPA SK 5k
  Lap Leaders – Frank Ruocco 73, Ted Christopher 70, Rowan Pennink 55, Chase Dowling 54, Keith Rocco 40, Eric Berndt 29, Michael Gervais, Jr. 28, Matt Galko 25, Ryan Preece 16, Brian Sullivan 5, Justin Bonsignore 3, Ronnie Williams 1, Jeff Baral 1
• 12 – Drivers who have competed in all 4 NAPA SK 5k’s to date: Dan Avery, Eric Berndt, Tom Bolles, Ted Christopher, Matt Galko, Michael Gervais, Jr., Tommy Membrino, Jr., Todd Owen, Rowan Pennink, Keith Rocco, Frank Ruocco, Ronnie Williams
• 52 – Number of different drivers who have raced in the NAPA SK 5k
• $137,325 – Total posted awards paid out in first four editions of NAPA SK 5k
• $2,640.87 – Average payout to race starters in the first four editions of NAPA SK 5k
• Biggest Single NAPA SK 5k Payout - $12,875 by Ryan Preece in 2015
• NAPA SK 5k Career Earnings Leader – Ted Christopher with $18,060
• Most Laps Led in a Single NAPA SK 5k – 65 by Ted Christopher in 2016
• Most Laps Led in a Career – Frank Ruocco – 73 laps led;
• Record Number of Lead Changes – 14 in 2014
• Record Number of different leaders during race – 5 in 2014 & 2015
• Smallest Margin of Victory - .149 seconds in 2015

Top-20 in SK Modified® Points Standings NAPA SK 5k Race Stats

Keith Rocco - #88 Wheeler’s Auto Chevrolet – Has started all four previous editions of the NAPA SK 5K.  Average finish of 4.5 with 3 top-5 and 4 top-10 finishes.  Best NAPA SK 5K finish of 2^nd in 2015.  Rocco has led a total of 40 laps in 2 NAPA SK 5K’s (2014, 2017).  Rocco has career NAPA SK 5K earnings of $7,325.  Rocco’s four wins in 2018 leads the SK Modified® division and he has 6 top-5 and 9 top-10 finishes this season.

Ronnie Williams - #50 Les’s Auto Center Ford – Has started all four previous editions of the NAPA SK 5K.  Average finish of 9.0 with 2 top-5 and 3 top-10 finishes.  Best NAPA SK 5K finish of 3^rd in 2015.  Williams has led a total of 1 lap during the 2015 NAPA SK 5K.  Williams’ career NAPA SK 5K earnings stands at $6,435.  Williams has 1 SK Modified® feature win this season with 7 top-5 and 8 top-10 finishes.

Michael Gervais, Jr.- #33 Gervais Brothers Roofing Chevrolet – Has started all four previous editions of the NAPA SK 5K.  Average finish of 15.3 with 1 top-10 finish.  Best NAPA SK 5K finish of 8^th in 2016.  Gervais has led a total of 28 laps, all coming in the 2017 NAPA SK 5K.  Gervais’ career NAPA SK 5K earnings are $3,350.  Gervais has recorded 5 top-5 and 7 top-10 finishes this season.

Michael Christopher, Jr. - #82 NAPROCO Chevrolet – Has started 3 of the 4 NAPA SK 5K races held to date.  Average finish of 12.3 with 1 top-5 and 2 top-10 finishes.  Best finish of 5^th came in 2016.  Christopher, Jr.’s career NAPA SK 5K earnings are $4,635.  Christopher scored his first career SK Modified® feature win on June 15 and he has recorded 5 top-5 and 7 top-10 finishes.

Matt Galko - #3 AAA Consulting, LLC. Chevrolet – Has started all four NAPA SK 5k races.  Average finish of 16.0 with a best finish of 13 coming in 2015 and 2016.  Galko has led a total of 25 laps in NAPA SK 5K competition, all coming in the 2015 race.  Galko’s career NAPA SK 5K earnings are $2,450.  Galko has 3 top-5 and 7 top-10 finishes in 9 starts this season.

Joey Cipriano - #78 J.G. Poulin Drywall Chevrolet – Has made 2 career starts in the NAPA SK 5K.  Average finish of 17.0 with 1 top-10 finish.  Best finish of 10^th came in 2015.  Cipriano’s career NAPA SK 5K earnings are $1,850.  Cipriano scored his first career SK Modified® feature win last Friday night (June 22) and he has 2 top-5 and 5 top-10 finishes this season.

Rowan Pennink - #99 NAPA Van Wickle Auto Supply Pontiac – The winner of the inaugural NAPA SK 5k in 2014, Pennink has started all 4 NAPA SK 5k races to date.  Pennink has an average finish of 5.5 with a win, 3 top-5, and 3 top-10 finishes.  Pennink has led 2 NAPA SK 5K’s for a total of 55 laps.  Pennink has career NAPA SK 5K earnings of $10,700 and he has 1 win, 2 top-5, and 6 top-10 finishes this season.

Todd Owen - #81 Cooker Construction Chevrolet -  Has started all four NAPA SK 5k races.  Average finish of 12.5 with a best finish of 4^th in 2017.  Owen has 1 top-5 and 2 top-10 finishes in his 4 NAPA SK 5K starts.  Owen’s career NAPA SK 5K earnings are $4,225.00.  Owen has recorded 3 top-5 and 5 top-10 finishes this season.

Stephen Kopcik - #31 Hocon Industrial Gas Chevrolet – Has made 2 starts in the NAPA SK 5K.  Average finish of 21.0 with a best finish of 20^th in 2016.  Kopcik’s career NAPA SK 5K earnings are $950.  Kopcik has recorded 3 top-5 and 4 top-10 finishes this season.

Eric Berndt - #66 Cos’ Central Auto Chevrolet – Has started all four NAPA SK 5K races.  Average finish of 10.3 with 1 top-5 and 2 top-10 finishes.  Best finish of 3^rd in 2016.  Berndt has led a total of 29 laps in the NAPA SK 5K, all coming in the 2016 race.  Berndt’s career NAPA SK 5K earnings are $4,900 and he has recorded 3 top-5 and 4 top-10 finishes this season.

Chase Dowling - #36 Powerhouse Motorsports Chevrolet – Has started 3 of the 4 NAPA SK 5K races run to date.  Dowling is the defending champion of the NAPA SK 5K and he has 1 win, 1 top-5, and 2 top-10 finishes in his 3 NAPA SK 5K starts for an average finish of 6.7.  Dowling has led 54 laps in the NAPA SK 5K, all coming in his victory last season.  Dowling’s career NAPA SK 5K earnings are $7,775 and for the 2018 season, he has 1 win, 1 top-5, and 5 top-10 finishes.

Tom Bolles - #76 Bolles Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep Dodge – Has started all four NAPA SK 5K races.  Average finish of 20.3 with a best finish of 13^th in 2017.  Bolles’ career NAPA SK 5K earnings are $2,300 and for the 2018 season, Bolles has recorded 2 top-10 finishes.

Glen Reen - #17 Avery Construction Chevrolet – Has made 2 career NAPA SK 5K starts.  Average finish of 8.5 with a best finish of 5^th in 2014.  Reen’s career NAPA SK 5K earnings are $2,475.  Reen has recorded 2 top-5 and 5 top-10 finishes this season.

Tyler Hines - #25 Tick Free Organic Tick Control Chevrolet – Has made 3 career NAPA SK 5K starts.  Average finish of 18.7 with a best finish of 14^th in 2015.  Hines’ has recorded 1 top-5 and 4 top-10 finishes this season and his career NAPA SK 5K earnings are $1,600.

Josh Wood - #24 R.A.D. Auto Machine Chevrolet – Made NAPA SK 5K debut last season and finished 27^th to earn $450.  Wood was the 2017 SK Modified® Rookie of the Year and he has 1 top-10 finish this season.  Wood has won 23 races at Stafford spread across the Late Model, Limited Late Model, and DARE Stock divisions.

Matt Vassar - #11 Hummel Brothers Hot Dogs Chevrolet – Will be making his NAPA SK 5K debut this season.  Vassar has recorded 1 top-10 finish this season.  Vassar was the 2017 Late Model Rookie of the Year with a single feature victory.  Vassar is the 2013 and 2014 track champion at Gresham Motorsports Park.

David Arute - #75 Big Haus USA Racing Products Chevrolet – Will be making his NAPA SK 5K debut this season.  Arute has 13 career wins at Stafford with 2 SK Light and 11 Limited Late Model wins.  Arute is a 4-time Most Popular Driver at Stafford.  Arute’s best finish of 2018 is 13^th back on May 18^th.

Tony Membrino, Jr. - #44 Tony Membrino Racing Chevrolet – Has one career NAPA SK 5K start in 2014, finishing 17^th with earnings of $700.  Membrino is a 2-time SK Light Champion at Stafford (2013, 2016) as well as the 2010 DARE Stock champion.  Membrino has 17 career wins with 15 SK Light and 2 DARE Stock wins and his best finish of 2018 was a 7^th on June 15.

Dan Wesson - #92 Competitive Edge Coatings Chevrolet – Will be making NAPA SK 5K debut this season.  Wesson has 10 career wins in Stafford’s SK Light division and he his best finish of 2018 was 8^th on May 25^th.

Troy Talman - #2 SPM Motorsports Chevrolet – Will be making his NAPA SK 5K debut this season.  Talman has 1 career win at Stafford in the SK Light division in 2013 and his best finish of the 2018 season is 7^th on May 18.

Source: Scott Running Stafford Speedway Media Press Release 

Fireworks and Confetti again for Late/ Model driver Tom Fearn

Posted by Wayne G. Barber & Photo by Wayne G. Barber

In the 30-lap Late Model feature event, it was a wild start as Kevin Gambacorta went 3 wide and nearly took the lead coming out of turn 2 but it was Al Saunders who emerged as the early leader.  Darrell Keane got out of shape and drove through the grass on the backstretch but was able to keep going and the race stayed green.  Tyler Leary took second with Gambacorta falling back into third after his 3-wide move.  Michael Wray was fourth with Tom Butler quickly working his way up to fifth with Tom Fearn right on his bumper in sixth.  Butler spun on the frontstretch but he kept going and the race stayed under green flag conditions briefly before the caution came out with 5 laps complete as Butler’s car came to a stop in the turn 1 grass.

Saunders took the lead on the restart with Gambacorta and Leary side by side for second. Fearn was in fourth with Paul Arute up to fifth.  Gambacorta took the lead on lap-7 while Fearn moved into second.  Al Saunders fell back to third with Leary sliding back to fourth.  Saunders continued to slide backwards as Leary took third and Arute moved into fourth to drop Leary back to fifth.  Fearn took the lead from Gambacorta on lap-10 and at the halfway point of the race, he was still in front of Gambacorta by a car length with Leary, Arute, Al Saunders, and Keane lined up behind him.

Fearn led Gambacorta to the checkered flag to pick up his sixth consecutive win of the 2018 season and extend his Stafford track record for consecutive Late Model wins.  Leary finished third with Arute and Al Saunders rounding out the top-5.

LATE MODEL (30)

1) Tom Fearn, East Longmeadow, Mass. (6) Consecutive 2018   Note:  Career (60) all-divisions.

2) Kevin Gambacorta, Ellington

3) Tyler Leary, Hatfield, Ma (1)

4) Paul Arute, Tolland

5) Al Saunders, Stafford

6) Darrell Keane, Enfield (1) 

7) Michael Wray, Northford  (1)

8) Paul Varricchio, Jr., Berlin

9) Cliff Saunders, Stafford

10) Chase Cook, Oakdale

11) Trace Beyer, Stratton, Vt

12) Mike Mordino, Southington

13) Tom Butler, Stafford Springs

RANK:	DRIVER:	WINS:	FIRST WIN:	LAST WIN:
1	POSOCCO, RYAN	45	5/15/98	8/12/11
2	FEARN, TOM	42	5/14/04

3                       Woody Pitkat                                                        40                                                      5-27-16

Ronnie Williams Prepared For NAPA SK 5K at Stafford Speedway

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

(Stafford Springs, CT)---Prior to the start of the 2018 SK Modified® season at Stafford Speedway, Ellington native Ronnie Williams made the switch from his family owned team to the driver’s seat of the #50 Les’s Auto Center/Empower Financial car owned by Les and Tina Skowyra.  The move has paid immediate dividends as the Williams/Skowyra combination has been one of the most consistent cars through the first 8 races of the 2018 season, scoring a win, three second place finishes, and a fourth place finish to go along with an 8^th and 18^th place finish.  The #50 team won the NAPA SK 5K last season with Chase Dowling as the driver and Williams will be looking to continue his good fortune and take home the lion’s share of the over $30,000 in total posted awards in the June 29th NAPA Auto Parts SK 5K. 

“I definitely think that the NAPA SK 5k is always a race that you circle on the calendar because it’s an important race. These guys won the race last year with Chase driving, this is the one that we all want to win” explained Williams.  “We’ve had a strong car this year so I’m definitely looking forward to the 5k.  I look forward to every Friday but especially the 5k, it would be a good race to check off the list, especially after almost winning the race in 2015.”

The NAPA Auto Parts SK 5K boasts a base purse of over $27,000 with the winner guaranteed to take home $5,000.  First place contingency bonuses from Dunleavy’s Truck and Trailer Repair, Maybury Material Handling, Starrett Tools, and New England Racing Fuel will push the winner’s total to $5,475 with even more money possible with the Kevin Harvick bonus and the Dunleavy’s Gambler’s Challenge.  An annual hit at the NAPA SK 5K, the Gambler’s challenge has each SK Modified® driver post $100 with Doug Dunleavy matching up to $2500.  With 16 drivers currently entered in the Dunleavy’s Gambler’s Challenge, the bonus is up to $3,200.  The Gambler’s Bonus is distributed to either the winner, evenly across the top 5, top 10, or 10th through 20th. The winner will draw from a hat in victory lane to see how the bonus will be distributed. 

“It’s great that Stafford and NAPA have been able to put up a bunch of money for that race along with Doug Dunleavy’s help,” said Williams.  “It’s always great when you race extra laps and have a nice payday at the end of the race.  I know the guys were a little disappointed last year when they were the first team to not have the winner take all option so hopefully we can change that around this year.”

Williams is one of 12 drivers who have participated in all four previous runnings of the NAPA Auto Parts SK 5K at Stafford.  Williams has an average finish of 9.0 in those four NAPA SK 5K starts with two top-5 and three top-10 efforts.  With the combination of Williams’ experience and how well the #50 team has performed this season, Williams feels confident that he can put the #50 car back in NAPA Victory Lane for the second year in a row in the NAPA SK 5K.

“With this team, I think we have a pretty good chance of winning the race,” said Williams.  “Adam [Skowyra, crew chief] and these guys really know what they’re doing.  It showed last year and it’s really showing this year.  I know every Friday we have a good chance at winning so it’s always good to have that feeling.  Going to the shop during the week, I feel like we have a great chemistry with the whole team.  I think that’s a big reason for our good finishes along the way this year.  The 5k is a whole new ballgame because there’s a lot of guys who haven’t raced longer races.  You have a lot more time to pick and chose what kind of moves you want to make.  In a 40-lap race, you have to take what you can get.  Experience is huge, I remember the first time I ran an SK race going from 20 laps to 40 laps and thinking was the race ever going to end?  A lot of people don’t think race car drivers are athletes but it takes a lot to drive a lot of laps especially at Stafford, so I think stamina will come into play as well as how well your car is handling.”

With Williams and the #50 team having already built up a wave of positive momentum with their race results, a good finish in the NAPA Auto Parts SK 5K could help boost their momentum to an even higher level as they prepare for the second half of the 2018 season looking to make a run for the SK Modified® track championship.

“We’re almost at the halfway point of the season and one race is all it takes to turn your season upside down,” said Williams.  “Every race is a big race so I’m approaching the NAPA SK 5k like it’s just a regular race and we’re going to do all we can to win it.  I would say we’re right there.  I would prefer to not have that 18^th place finish on our record, but it was great to get our first win together a couple weeks ago and now we can look forward to the rest of the season.  There’s a lot more racing to go this season and hopefully we can get some more wins and the championship at the end of the year.  I have a lot of great support behind me and thanks to Empower Financial, Les’s Auto Center, All Town Recycling and Hauling, Flamingo Motorsports, Centurn Machine, NAPA of Tolland, Pettit Race Engines, and all the Stafford contingency sponsors Dunleavy’s Truck and Trailer Repair, Maybury Handling, Starrett Tools, Casagrande Builders, New England Race Fuel, Sunoco, and Kevin Harvick Management, Inc. for their support.” Source: Scott Running Stafford Speedway Press Release

STARS OF TRI-TRACK SERIES HEAD TO SEEKONK SPEEDWAY FOR ANNUAL OPEN WHEEL WEDNESDAY ON JUNE 27

Posted by Wayne G. Barber  Photo by Wayne G. Barber 2017 Victory lane

STARS OF TRI-TRACK SERIES HEAD TO SEEKONK SPEEDWAY FOR ANNUAL OPEN WHEEL WEDNESDAY ON JUNE 27

Seekonk, Mass. (June 15, 2018): The second race of the 2018 Tri-Track Open Modified Series (TTOMS) season is set for Wednesday, June 27 at Seekonk Speedway in Seekonk, MA.  Open Wheel Wednesday is one of the most prominent races on the annual short track racing schedule in New England. The $10,000 to win tour-type modified event for the Tri-Track Open Modified Series continues to attract a variety of different drivers and a host of fans. The evening also includes the prestigious Boston Louie Seymour Memorial event for the Northeastern Midget Association.

Open Wheel Wednesday features 100 laps of green flag racing for the tour-type Modifieds with the winner earning $10,000. Both the NEMA Midgets and the NEMA Lights go 29 laps in honor of Boston Louis Seymour.  Grandstands open at 4pm.  Fans are invited to participate in an autograph session on the midway at 5:30pm with all drivers in competition on Wednesday night.

Qualifying gets underway at 6:30pm with heat races for all divisions followed by a pair of Modified b-mains (if necessary). Feature racing will commence immediately following qualifying. General admission is $27 and pit admission is $37. A rain date has been set for Thursday, June 28.

A host of previous Open Wheel Wednesday winners have filed entries for this year’s event including multi-time winner Matt Hirschman, Kirk Alexander, Tommy Barrett, Richard Savary and hometown favorite Todd Annarummo. Barrett would like to parlay his recent victory in open Modified series competition at Stafford into victory; joining Hirschman and Doug Coby as the only multi-time winners.

In the Seekonk 150 back on June 2, Anthony Nocella was running inside the top-five when misfortune found him; ending his bid at a win.  The young driver looks to turn disappointment into triumph and possibly $10,000 during Open Wheel Wednesday.

“[That race] definitely gave me more confidence,” said Nocellla. “Between the run we had in October in the Tri-Track races and that race, it definitely gives us some momentum and confidence going back to Seekonk again. Hopefully we have another strong run.”

Also, at the race back in October 2017, Russ Hersey looked like he may have had the best chance to beat Matt Hirschman before a spin while running second ended his bid at a win. He, too, is among the over 40 drivers who have preregistered for the event.

Four of the top-five finishers in the Seekonk 150, Chase Dowling, Hirschman, Rowan Pennink, and Ron Silk, will also be looking to follow-up their strong performances with victory. Other notables looking for the big payday include Ryan Preece, Derek Ramstrom, Woody Pitkat, Les Hinckley, Stephen Masse and more.

Tickets are available online by visiting SeekonkSpeedway.com or by calling the Speedway office at 508.336.9959 Monday through Friday from 9:00am to 5:00pm. To learn more about the Tri-Track Modified Series, visit tritrackmods.com. Source: Tri-Track media press release.....