Wheelers Auto Service Posts Bonus For NAPA SK 5K Qualifying Races

Posted by Wayne G.Barber

(Stafford Springs, CT)---For the 5th consecutive season, Wheelers Auto Service of Hamden, CT will post $500 in bonus money for each of the qualifying events held for Friday’s NAPA Auto Parts SK 5K event.  SK Modified® drivers will see payouts of $250 to all qualifying race winners, $150 for 2nd, and $100 for 3rd.  The addition of qualifying race bonus money pushes the total posted awards for Friday’s 100 lap NAPA Auto Parts SK 5K to over $35,000.

Wheelers Auto Service, owned and operated by SK Modified® car owner John Rufrano, has been a long time supporter of the NAPA Auto Parts SK 5K event, first posting the award back in 2015. Rufrano competes with two SK Modifieds® on a weekly basis including his son Marcello Rufrano, the 2018 SK Light Modified track champion and current SK Modified® rookie, along with Keith Rocco.  Often referred to as “Kid Rock”, Rocco is 5th on Stafford’s all-time win list with 62 career wins, many of them coming behind the wheel of the Rufrano owned #88. 

“The NAPA SK 5K is the highlight of the season for us and all of the SK Modified® teams in the paddock,” explained Rufrano.  “We love being able to post some extra money to keep the qualifying races interesting and to boost the purse for the teams.  Keith has come close to winning the NAPA SK 5K a few times now, hopefully we can get to victory lane Friday.”

The Wheeler’s Auto Service Qualifying bonus adds to the already hefty prize money posted for the 100 lap SK Modified® event.  In its 6th season, the NAPA Auto Parts SK 5K event has become the marquee event of the summer for the SK Modified® division with a guaranteed $5,000 payday to the winner. 

Discount tickets for the June 28th NAPA Auto Parts SK 5K are now available at your local NAPA Auto Parts Store.  NAPA Tickets include a pre-race barbeque on the Stafford midway.  A full list of participating NAPA stores is available by clicking the PARTICIPATING NAPA STORES link found at the top of the www.staffordspeedway.com homepage.

The 6th Annual NAPA Auto Parts SK 5K is set for Friday, June 28.  Tickets for the NAPA SK 5K are available and on sale now at the Speedway Box Office.  Tickets are priced at $30.00 for adult general admission tickets, $5.00 for kids ages 6-14, and kids 5 and under are admitted free of charge when accompanied by an adult.  Reserved seating is priced at $32.00 for all ages.  All ticket prices include 10% CT Admission Tax.  Stafford Speedway offers free parking with free overnight parking for self-contained RV’s available.  Fans who do not have a discount NAPA ticket can also partake in the barbeque on the midway with some great food available for only $10. 

For more information, contact the Stafford Motor Speedway track office at 860-684-2783 or visit us on the web at www.staffordspeedway.com.

8 WINS IN A ROW !

Posted by Wayne G. Barber & Photos by Wayne G. Barbeeeee

Bryan told us in the press box after his impressive victory. Bryan Narducci looked to continue his incredible winning streak in the SK Light© Modifieds and once again he had to work his way through the field as he did earlier in June. Narducci started outside the top five but moved into the fifth position by the fifth lap before a caution slowed the field. Narducci quickly worked his way to second place where he found himself battling Steven Chapman for the win. Narducci and Chapman have developed a rivalry over the course of the season with Narducci making a lap last pass to defeat Chapman at Thompson on June 5 and using a bump and run on June 14 at Stafford to pass Chapman for another final lap win. However, Narducci found himself black flagged at Stafford and his win revoked. He arrived in Thompson with a chip on his shoulder using his loss as motivation to pass Chapman again at Thompson, this time with five laps remaining, to claim his eighth consecutive win in the SK Lights©.

 

“After last night (at Stafford) I got to the shop and worked on my car to get it switched over for here. I didn’t get home until almost 3 a.m. – I was very mad about not winning that race. We crossed the line first. It’s a little redemption tonight and to make it eight in a row is pretty cool,” Narducci said after his win.

SK LIGHTS© MODIFIEDS FEATURE TOP-10: 1. Bryan Narducci (Colchester, CT); 2. Steven Chapman (Ellington, CT); 3. Brett Gonyaw (Vernon, CT); 4. Albert Ouellette III, (Ellington, CT); 5. Andrew Les (New York, NY); 6. Mikey Flynn (Hampden, MA); 7. Wayne Burroughs, Jr. (Oakdale, CT); 8. Keith Caruso (Millbury, MA); 9. John O’Sullivan (Salem, CT); 10. Nathan Pytko (Oxford, MA)

Ryan Preece Wins Twisted Tea Open Modified 80 At Stafford Speedway

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

(Stafford Springs, CT)---Stafford Speedway hosted the 2nd Annual Twisted Tea Open Modified 80 with tour style modifieds taking center stage for an 80-lap race around the Connecticut half-mile.  NASCAR Monster Energy Cup Series driver Ryan Preece took the checkered flag by driving through the field after being the last of the lead cars to pit for fresh tires during the 80-lap race.

The Twisted Tea Open 80 took the green flag with Matt Galko taking the lead from polesitter Ronnie Williams at the start.  Williams’ car was leaking fluid and he was black flagged on lap-3.  Chase Dowling took the lead from Galko on lap-5 with Jeff Gallup, Ryan Preece, and Eric Goodale making up the top-5.  Todd Owen was quickly up to sixth with Bryan Narducci, Cam McDermott, Michael Gervais, Jr. and Keith Rocco making up the top-10.  Preece made a move to the inside of Gallup for third on lap-9 and Gallup slid all the way back to eighth.

With 15 laps complete, Dowling was in the lead with Galko, Preece, Owen, Narducci, McDermott, Goodale, Rocco, Max Zachem, and Gallup making up the top-10.  Preece was starting to look to the inside of Galko for second and he was able to make a pass and take second on lap-21.  The caution flew with 21 laps complete as Anthony Flannery spun in turn 2.

Preece took the lead from Dowling in the outside lane on the restart with Galko and Owen side by side for third with McDermott in fifth.  Owen cleared Galko for third on lap-24 with Rocco and Goodale up to sixth and seventh behind McDermott as Preece continued to hold the lead with Dowling giving chase.  Mark Bakaj spun coming out of turn 4 to bring the caution out with 29 laps complete.

The restart saw Dylan Izzo, Walt Sutcliffe, and Bakaj all come together in turn 3 to bring the caution back out before a lap could be completed.  The next restart saw McDermott get pinned against the frontstretch wall and came to a stop in turn 1 to bring the caution right back out.  Preece powered to the lead on the restart with Dowling, Galko, Goodale, and Williams making up the top-5.  Gallup was sixth with Narducci, Rocco, Flannery, and Izzo making up the top-10.  Sutcliffe dropped off the pace to bring the caution out with 43 laps complete.  Under the caution, Preece stayed out on track while the majority of the lead lap cars behind him all came to pit road for 2 fresh tires and any adjustments.

Preece resumed the race in the lead with Gallup in second.  Owen was now third with Savary fourth and Tommy Barrett, Jr. up to fifth.  Williams was sixth with Gervais, Narducci, Goodale, and Galko making up the top-10.  Gervais spun in turn 2 to bring the caution out with 46 laps complete.

Preece powered into the lead with Barrett taking second.  Savary and Izzo both got into the turn 3 wall to bring the caution out with 47 laps complete.  Preece came to pit road under the caution to change his 2 tires and rejoined the race at the rear of the field in 15^th place for the restart with 33 laps to go.

Barrett was the new leader back under green with Owen and Galko side by side for second.  Galko cleared Owen on lap-49 to move into second and now Rocco was on the outside of Owen in a fight for third.  Williams was lined up behind Owen in fifth with Flannery back up to sixth after his earlier spin.

With 25 laps to go, Galko was applying heavy pressure to Barrett for the lead with Williams third and Owen fourth.  Galko took the lead from Barrett on lap-56 while Preece was a man on a mission after taking his fresh tires.  Preece was up to fifth and slowly closing down the gap to the front four cars of Galko, Barrett, Williams, and Owen.

Williams made a move to the inside of Barrett for second on lnap-60 while Preece was now right behind Owen in fifth.  Preece got by Owen to move into fourth on lap-61 while Williams finally got clear from Barrett on lap-62 to take second. 

Preece went by Barrett to move into third on lap-64 and he went by Williams to move into second place on lap-68.  Preece was all over the back bumper of Galko looking high and low for a way to make a pass for the lead when the caution flew with 71 laps complete for a spin by Rocco and another car with 70 laps complete.

Preece powered his way into to the lead on the outside of Galko on the restart with Williams taking second and dropping Galko back to third.  Dowling was fourth with Goodale up to fifth.  The caution came back out with 73 laps complete for Dylan Kopec, who had a quick spin in the middle of turns 3+4.

The restart saw Preece pull out to the lead with Dowling looking to get by Williams on the outside but Williams spun to bring the yellow back out before a lap could be completed.  Preece again powered into the lead on the restart with Galko coming back up to second.  The field completed one lap before the caution came back out for a spin by Flannery at the end of the backstretch, setting up a 6-lap dash to the finish.

Preece took the lead with Goodale coming up to second on the restart.  Galko was third with Narducci all over the back bumper of Dowling  in a fight for fourth place.  Narducci took fourth on lap-77 while Preece was slowly pulling away from Goodale and Galko.

Preece led Goodale to the checkered flag to win the Twisted Tea Open 80.  Galko finished third with Narducci and Dowling rounding out the top-5.Source; Scott Running Stafford Speedway Media Press Release

TWISTED TEA OPEN MODIFIED 80 (80)

1) Ryan Preece, Davidson, NC

2) Eric Goodale, Riverhead, NY

3) Matt Galko, Meriden

4) Bryan Narducci, Colchester

5) Chase Dowling, Midland, NC

6) Max Zachem, Oakdale

7) Andrew Molleur, Shelton

8) Ronnie Williams, Ellington
9) Keith Rocco, Berlin

10) Dave Etheridge, Portland

11) Todd Owen, Somers

12) Marcello Rufrano, North Haven

13) Michael Gervais, Jr., Wolcott

14) Dylan Kopec, Palmer, MA

15) Anthony Flannery, East Hampton

16) Richard Savary, Holbrook, MA

17) Tommy Barrett, Jr., Millis, MA

18) Jeff Gallup, Agawam, MA

19) Dylan Izzo, Monroe

20) Walt Sutcliffe, East Haven

Summer Kickoff Series Heads to Thompson for Round 2

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

Waterbury, VT – The American-Canadian Tour (ACT) makes the trip to Southern New England this Saturday, June 15 for the Thompson 75 at Connecticut’s Thompson Speedway. With $5,000 to win on the line for the second time this month, another big payday is in store for this battle between the best of the ACT Late Model Tour and the track’s NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Late Models.

Saturday’s event is the second round of the 2019 Summer Kickoff Series, which puts big money up for grabs among ACT Late Model racers throughout the Northeastern U.S. and Quebec. Round one was an

action-fueled affair north of the border that saw Plainfield, NH’s Rich Dubeau earn his first ACT victory at Autodrome Chaudiere. With another big field expected at the United States’ oldest paved track, the action is sure to be just as breathtaking.

Dubeau and the rest of the ACT’s biggest stars have already made their plans to head to the historic 5/8-mile oval. In Dubeau’s case, he returns to a track where he led 68 laps in ACT’s last visit before he got caught up in a late incident. Should the ACT Late Model Tour point leader finish the deal this time around, he would grab his second $5,000 check of the month. Dubeau would also become eligible for a $5,000 bonus should he complete the Kickoff Series sweep at Star Speedway on June 29.

He’ll have plenty of challengers trying to grab a fat payday of their own. Number-two point man Jimmy Hebert and two-time defending ACT Champion Scott Payea both have podium finishes at Thompson. A win on Saturday would help them close ground in the championship chase. With the ACT season reaching its official halfway mark this weekend, every point is critical from here on out.

Should any of those racers have an off-night, plenty of others will be waiting to pounce. Payea’s cousin Dylan leads a pack of drivers between fourth and ninth that are separated by just 33 points. Top freshman Ryan Kuhn and Stephen Donahue have a great battle brewing for Rookie of the Year. Sophomore Christopher Pelkey has made marked improvements this year while Canadian Jonathan Bouvrette got his season back on track with a strong run at Autodrome Chaudiere.

But all those drivers will have to beat the local Late Model regulars who know all the ins and outs of Thompson Speedway. Millbury, MA’s William Wall scored one for the locals with a victory last October and the current track point leader is ready for number two. Salem, MA’s Tom Carey III was battling with Dubeau before the late incident in that event and has stated he’ll be back for some redemption.

Most of the NWAAS Thompson regulars are expected to roll into the pits on Saturday. They include former Modified Racing Series Champion Woody Pitkat, multi-time Late Model winner Ryan Morgan, strong early runner Derek Gluchaski, and former ACT regulars such as Brian Tagg and Mark Jenison. ACT has also received entries from 16-year-old Super Late Model standout Jake Johnson and veteran Tom Rosati, who has been competing with the Granite State Pro Stock Series this season after many years on the sidelines.

Qualifying for the ACT Thompson 75 goes to post at 4:45pm on Saturday, June 15. The program at Connecticut’s Thompson Speedway will also feature a full card for the track’s Sunoco Modifieds, Lite Modifieds, Limited Sportsmen, and Mini Stocks. The pits open at 11:30am and the front gates open at 3:15pm. Admission is $25 for adults, $20 for seniors/veterans/active military, and free for kids ages 12 and under. Source: ACT Tour Media Press Release and Photo from Wayne G. Barber Library

Stafford Speedway Street Stock Action 6-7-19

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

In the 20-lap Street Stock feature event, Adrien Paradis, III took the lead at the green with Travis Hydar coming up to second.  Zack Robinson and Meghan Fuller were side by side for third with Nicole Chambrello sliding back to fifth after racing side by side on the first lap with Paradis for the lead. 

Hydar moved to the lead on lap-3 and Robinson moved into second as Paradis fell back to third.  Chambrello and Fuller were side by side for fourth when Chambrello got loose and did a half spin in the middle of turns 3+4 to bring the caution out with 4 laps complete.

Hydar took the lead back under green with Robinson hot on his heels in second. Fuller was third with Paradis fourth and George Bessette, Jr. fifth.  Bessette took fourth from Paradis on lap-9 while up front Robinson got around Hydar to take over the lead on lap-10.  Fuller was closing the gap to Robinson and Hydar to make it a three-car fight for the lead. 

Fuller got by Hydar to take second as the cars came to the white flag but no one could catch Robinson as he scored his second win of the 2019 season.  Rounding out the top-5 behind Robinson, Fuller, and Hydar was Bessette and Chambrello. Source: Scott Running Stafford Speedway Media Press Release.

I witnessed Meghan Fuller's driving skills this week on Wed. night and interviewed her on the award winning Race Chatter radio program for the second year in a row and Miss Fuller is the Real Deal. ROTY at both tracks and driving towards her first weekly NASCAR points race 2019 track championship.

STREET STOCK (20)

1) Zack Robinson, Putnam

2) Meghan Fuller, Auburn, MA

3) Travis Hydar, Woodbury

4) George Bessette, Jr., Danbury

5) Nicole Chambrello, Kensington

6) Adrien Paradis, III, Plainville

7) Rick Charette, Vernon

8) Fran Siana, Enfield

9) Mike Hopkins, Springfield, MA

10) Chris Danielczuk, Goshen

11) Marvin Minkler, Stamford

12) Paul Bourdon, Jr., Jewett City

                                                       Point standings after June 7 Race 6 of 21

1	MEGHAN FULLER	276	+6
2	TRAVIS HYDAR	270	-6
3	GEORGE BESSETTE, JR.	248	-28
4	ZACK ROBINSON	244	-32
5	ADRIEN PARADIS, III - R	234	-42
6	NICOLE CHAMBRELLO	220	-56
7	MICHAEL HOPKINS	202	-74
8	JASON LAFAYETTE	186	-90
9	CHRIS DANIELCZUK	154	-122
10	PAUL BOURDON, JR.	154	-122
11	STEVE KENNEWAY - R	140	-136
12	JOHNNY WALKER	132	-144
13	DAVE SECORE, JR.	126	-150
14	CHUCK HARRISON	126	-150
15	MARVIN MINKLER - R	110	-166