This is How We Roll

Well then, what do we have here? If I didn't know better, I'd say last night was actually a race night. There was finally racing at Stafford and we got a full night in for a change. Yes, I know: I can hear the cheers and applause already. (And I guess the previous rumor of a "Stafford invasion" can be thrown out the window.) First off, we had some fireworks (literally and figuratively) when the SK Lights started off the night in style in terms of actual features and not last chance qualifiers. Shelly Perry became the first woman to win a feature in an open-wheeled car by beating out Anthony Burr. One may wonder when she'll strap into an actual SK Modified and show the boys how it's done. Time can only tell.

Then we went onto the Late Models and their version of a wreckfest. I mean, honestly, did anyone ever think to race clean once in a while? Waterford had a green-to-checkered SK race two weeks ago. Yet I have to admit it was pretty much a 30-lap nap. It was so boring yet it was much needed at the same time. (Okay, enough of that.) Woody Pitkat had a chance to win his third straight feature race and second race of the night after he previously won the Late Model 16 feature two attractions ago. You can take that to the bank. Pitkat becomes the second driver to pull this feat off since Todd Szegedy did so in 2001 when he won the SK 21 Means 21 last chance qualifier and feature.

After a brief intermission for some actual fireworks (the onces that appear in the sky, mind you), it was time for the Limited Late Models. Yesterday they had their biggest field to date with an impressive 20 cars. Let me tell you, it's better than the number of cars they started out with when the division initiated last year. They were still in single digits until the Fall Final.) Of course, not all of them finished and not all of them finished in one piece. The biggest dumb move of the race goes to the Stafford officials. For a while, Charlie Newman had a flopping piece of sheetmetal on his back bumper. The usual group I hang out with questioned this and wondered why the black flag didn't wave for him. Where's the race spotter when you need him? Someone needs to keep their eyes on the track and pay attention to everyone's appearance when racing. (Earlier in the night, Pitkat had a piece of sheetmetal coming off during his Late Model qualifier and was black flagged.) All right, stupid calls aside: It was a close call at the finish line between George Nocera and Andrew Durand. Either one could have one when the checkered flag came out, but Nocera squeaked by for his first career win of his Limited Late Model career. (Side note: Nocera was the one who shattered a few dreams in the race on Sizzler weekend. Just letting you know.)

And then it was the pride of Stafford--the SK Modifieds. Let me tell you, the tempers really came out in this one and I can't lie to you on that. They originally flew a little more than halfway into the race when a heated battle for the lead featuring Jimmy Blewett and Frank Ruocco. Coming out of turn four, Ruocco had been hard pressed on taking the lead from Blewett and he finally did...until Blewett nails him from behind and sends him into the turn one wall in front of the near bleachers. (Let me tell you: I've never seen anyone that upset about getting nailed after taking the lead. Ruocco got out of his car, made his way into the paddock area, and all of a sudden ended up running into the general admission grandstands and towards the press box.) Other than that major incident and two multi-car pileups later, Jeff Baral beats Bo Gunning to win his second straight race of the season. In third was Pitkat who just added to his dominance on the night as he took the points lead from an absent Ted Christopher. More on this story after this last recap.

To finish off a thrilling night, the DARE Stocks performed their usual 15-lapper. The biggest flub from the announcers came from this race. Norm Sears spins in turn two and moved the car just in time to keep the green out. Ben Dodge reports, "It doesn't look like we'll be going to green." Uh, isn't the green already out? Don't you want to replace that last word with yellow? Okay, whatever. That's not the point. The key point of this race was the first flip of the season. Al Jurczyk goes on his roof on the backstretch and during the red flag period, we experience a little wet weather. (What perfect timing for that, by the way.) Of course, it was about a quarter to midnight Eastern Standard Time when the sprinkles started and the yellow had just come back out, so there was no choice to stop the race with four laps to go. In front at that time was Steve Berardi and he took down his first DARE Stock win of the season and of his career.

So that's the night in a nutshell. Oh, yeah...there's one little thing I need to point out. Remember in the SK Modified recap I mentioned something about a mysteriously absent Ted Christopher? Well, it appears as though he may not be able to get into his famous black, blue, and silver 13 ride as all six cars (and soon to be former car carrier) were taken from the shop at around 1pm Eastern Standard Time by the federal agents. Car owner Jimmy Galante was arrested early yesterday morning for being involved with the mob. So will the former track and regional points champion be able to find someone to share a ride with? I'd be surprised to hear the name of the person who will be willing to give a ride to the man. I'd probably have to face the music when I do.

All right, I have to give some major props to Mother Nature for holding off until she did. We didn't need the rain until when we got it and I was such a happy camper (until that nice little snippet in the SK Modified race, but that's all right) for seeing something I love to see weekly. I'll give you more on the TC story when more information becomes available. But for now, take care and I hope to see you next week.