The last time Matt Gallo was seen racing at Stafford, it was two years ago, and he was in the SK Light class. Last year, he was seen racing SK Modifieds at Waterford (winning on 9/13).
But Gallo's returning to Stafford in '09. He'll be bringing the Guida's Dairy #77 back to the half mile, but as part of the SK Modified rookie class.
Chalk up another driver who factored in the spec motor as part of the reason why they wanted to make the move up into the SKs. He also says that the competition is also something he's looking forward to.
It's also the same chassis that he had in the car when raced in the SK Lights. The team is also making another car for him as a backup.
After my hiatus since May, I've decided on a new lease on life. I've re-emerged from the dark layers of hell with a new location for all things VFT1.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Saturday, January 24, 2009
8/7 WMT Race Gets Name Brands at Discount Prices
Okay, well... Maybe that's just a play on words. Either way, the Whelen Modified Tour race in August has picked itself up a sponsor.
It's now going to be called the 19th annual Town Fair Tire 150.
Stafford's partnership with Town Fair Tire doesn't just start with this race in the summer. They've been partners for ten years now, beginning in 1999. The marriage first started with the Pitstopper, then moving to billboards and midway displays. Two years ago, they sponsored Summer Heat and presented contingency bonuses to the SK Modified and Late Model divisions. Last year, they sponsored the Summer Blast-Off fireworks display.
Off of the track, they're the sponsor of NASCAR: New England on NESN.
It's now going to be called the 19th annual Town Fair Tire 150.
Stafford's partnership with Town Fair Tire doesn't just start with this race in the summer. They've been partners for ten years now, beginning in 1999. The marriage first started with the Pitstopper, then moving to billboards and midway displays. Two years ago, they sponsored Summer Heat and presented contingency bonuses to the SK Modified and Late Model divisions. Last year, they sponsored the Summer Blast-Off fireworks display.
Off of the track, they're the sponsor of NASCAR: New England on NESN.
Friday, January 23, 2009
Welcoming an Open-Wheeled Newcomer
The SK Light division at Stafford is welcoming a newcomer to the land of the open wheels when John Hanafin makes his Modified racing debut.
His expertise in racing comes from Seekonk Speedway, where he's made it to victory lane seven times in Street Stocks and once in a Late Model. But it's a dream of his to race Modifieds at the Connecticut track. The car he'll be using to hopefully make it to victory lane at Stafford was Alan Provost's, who sold the car to Hanafin. (Provost is moving up to the Late Models in '08.)
Sponsors for his car were lost since he's switching states, but he'll have sponsors of President's Landscape Design and Union Ironworkers Local #7.
His expertise in racing comes from Seekonk Speedway, where he's made it to victory lane seven times in Street Stocks and once in a Late Model. But it's a dream of his to race Modifieds at the Connecticut track. The car he'll be using to hopefully make it to victory lane at Stafford was Alan Provost's, who sold the car to Hanafin. (Provost is moving up to the Late Models in '08.)
Sponsors for his car were lost since he's switching states, but he'll have sponsors of President's Landscape Design and Union Ironworkers Local #7.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Another Graduate
Before I start this one, let me state although the date of the press release is January 16, I was checking the site all weekend for news (yes, that sounds completely stalkerish, I know) and got nothing until today. I'm not blaming anyone for a possible date mix-up here.
With that said, the news of the day is that there's another graduate from the SK Lights.
Mark Bakaj is joining the SK Modified field this season, with one of the main factors for the jump being the new spec engine.
According to Bakaj, he ran at Thompson and Waterford with an SK engine in his car, and raced up north for an event as well, and says he feels comfortable racing with the SK engine's extra power.
With that said, the news of the day is that there's another graduate from the SK Lights.
Mark Bakaj is joining the SK Modified field this season, with one of the main factors for the jump being the new spec engine.
According to Bakaj, he ran at Thompson and Waterford with an SK engine in his car, and raced up north for an event as well, and says he feels comfortable racing with the SK engine's extra power.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Monadnock LM Champion Joins Stafford LM Field
The Late Model field at Stafford became a little more decorated on Friday. Another track champion will be racing at the half mile this season.
Adam Gray, the 2008 Late Model champion at Monadnock Speedway (and last one in track history), will be racing for the Rookie of the Year honors in Stafford's '09 season.
Last season at Monadnock, Gray won six races on his way to winning the Late Model championship. But the car he'll be bringing to Connecticut won't be the same car he won the championship with in New Hampshire. He'd have to change the Monadnock car to make it legal for Stafford. So instead of spending time making everything SMS legal, he'll be in a new car.
Gray won't be the only member of the Late Model class of '09. Alan Provost (up from SK Lights) and John Kaspar (up from DARE Stocks) will also be in contention for the Rookie of the Year title.
Adam Gray, the 2008 Late Model champion at Monadnock Speedway (and last one in track history), will be racing for the Rookie of the Year honors in Stafford's '09 season.
Last season at Monadnock, Gray won six races on his way to winning the Late Model championship. But the car he'll be bringing to Connecticut won't be the same car he won the championship with in New Hampshire. He'd have to change the Monadnock car to make it legal for Stafford. So instead of spending time making everything SMS legal, he'll be in a new car.
Gray won't be the only member of the Late Model class of '09. Alan Provost (up from SK Lights) and John Kaspar (up from DARE Stocks) will also be in contention for the Rookie of the Year title.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
The Countdown Starts...
Standing there alone; the ship is waiting
All systems are go; are you sure
Control is not convinced, but the computer has the evidence
No need to abort; the countdown starts...
All systems are go; are you sure
Control is not convinced, but the computer has the evidence
No need to abort; the countdown starts...
With this, the countdown begins for the Spring Sizzler and the 2009 racing season at Stafford.
Lyrics are courtesy of Peter Schilling's Major Tom.
The End of a Touring Era?
Here's a good piece from Shawn Courchesne of the Hartford Courant, in regards to short track touring series and their death from Connecticut tracks. It didn't just begin to dwindle with the sucking economy. This has been like this for a while now.
They've tried flash races. Didn't work.
They've tried massive weekend shows with numerous divisions. Yet it doesn't seem to work.
Who knows what might happen past 2009? The future of short track touring series is in serious Jeopardy.
[The Backstretch/Hartford Courant]
They've tried flash races. Didn't work.
They've tried massive weekend shows with numerous divisions. Yet it doesn't seem to work.
Who knows what might happen past 2009? The future of short track touring series is in serious Jeopardy.
[The Backstretch/Hartford Courant]
Monday, January 12, 2009
News Through Waterford
Waterford held its end of season awards banquet over the weekend, but not without some Stafford-related news.
+ After last season's championship with Keith Rocco, it seemed as though the Poulins were retiring from the racing scene. Well, maybe not. They'll be giving support by way of motor to Ted Christopher. Rocco will be in a car owned by John Rufrano.
+ Meanwhile, the Late Model field is ever expanding. Guy Beaudoin says that last year's Late Model champion at Thompson, Jeff Zuidema, will be running in the Late Model division at Stafford.
Yes, I know. Not a lot of news from their banquet.
+ After last season's championship with Keith Rocco, it seemed as though the Poulins were retiring from the racing scene. Well, maybe not. They'll be giving support by way of motor to Ted Christopher. Rocco will be in a car owned by John Rufrano.
+ Meanwhile, the Late Model field is ever expanding. Guy Beaudoin says that last year's Late Model champion at Thompson, Jeff Zuidema, will be running in the Late Model division at Stafford.
Yes, I know. Not a lot of news from their banquet.
Thursday, January 08, 2009
A Whole Bunch of LM News
Welcome, 2009. If the offseason is any indication of what's to come, I'm pretty sure it'll be a happy new year. On Wednesday, it was announced that a former track champion was coming back, and a familiar face will be joining forces with the current Late Model champion.
First, it's the return of a champion. Clark Motorsports had won a Late Model championship in '07 with Corey Hutchings, and two years later, they've teamed up with a man who certainly knows his way around the half-mile. Jay Stuart will be returning to Stafford this season. Stuart states that since his last full season in '03, he wanted to return but just never found the right opportunity. He's bringing in sponsorship to a car that will already be sponsored by Arbitell Convenience Stores and Kennedy CDL Training. This is one driver/owner combination that should be taken very seriously, methinks.
To the other story, which includes the most winningest driver in the history of SMS. Combined, Ryan Posocco and Ted Christopher have won ten championships and 144 features at Stafford, but in '09, they'll be joining forces. Albeit for a partial season. The Kretschman team welcomes TC into the #18 machine in the upcoming season. The ride will be sponsored by motorsportsnewengland.com, and it will be out on the track for about four or five races (more if TC's schedule allows them).
A little more than three months until the Spring Sizzler, and already, the new year starts with a bang.
First, it's the return of a champion. Clark Motorsports had won a Late Model championship in '07 with Corey Hutchings, and two years later, they've teamed up with a man who certainly knows his way around the half-mile. Jay Stuart will be returning to Stafford this season. Stuart states that since his last full season in '03, he wanted to return but just never found the right opportunity. He's bringing in sponsorship to a car that will already be sponsored by Arbitell Convenience Stores and Kennedy CDL Training. This is one driver/owner combination that should be taken very seriously, methinks.
To the other story, which includes the most winningest driver in the history of SMS. Combined, Ryan Posocco and Ted Christopher have won ten championships and 144 features at Stafford, but in '09, they'll be joining forces. Albeit for a partial season. The Kretschman team welcomes TC into the #18 machine in the upcoming season. The ride will be sponsored by motorsportsnewengland.com, and it will be out on the track for about four or five races (more if TC's schedule allows them).
A little more than three months until the Spring Sizzler, and already, the new year starts with a bang.
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