(Stafford Springs, CT)—For the third consecutive season, Call Before You Dig will be the presenting sponsor of the CBYD Senator’s Cup at Stafford Speedway. The July 24th 50-lap SK Modified® feature event will serve as the second race in the three-race Sign Pro SK Triple Crown for the 2026 season. The Sign Pro SK Triple Crown is a 3-race mini-series that will pay out a $20,000 point fund to all SK Modified® drivers who participate in all three Triple Crown events.
“We are thrilled to return as the sponsor of the CBYD Senator’s Cup at Stafford Speedway, one of Connecticut’s premier short-track venues,” says Chris Tralli, CBYD Board President. “Just as every driver at Stafford prepares carefully before taking the wheel, we want every Connecticut resident to take that same deliberate first step before they dig and call 811.”
When it comes to the CBYD Senator’s Cup, SK Modified® driver Michael Christopher, Jr. has won the last three editions of the race, taking home the checkered flag each year from 2023-2025. Christopher, Jr. very nearly won the first triple crown race of the 2026 season, but he finished in second place, right behind defending SK Modified® track champion Jon Puleo. The 2026 SK Modified® season has seen 7 different winners throughout the first 9 events. Tyler Chapman, Puleo, Todd Owen, David Arute, and Troy Talman have each notched a single feature win with Keith Rocco and Marcello Rufrano the only drivers with repeat victories.
CBYD’s title sponsorship of the CBYD Senator’s Cup continues a relationship with Stafford Speedway that dates back to the 2007 season. Over the past 19 seasons, CBYD has partnered with Stafford in a wide variety of ways, including options such as advertising partner, contingency sponsor, and race sponsor. CBYD has also offered several special contingency programs such as the CBYD 811 Challenge from 2013-2018 and the CBYD Modified Challenge for the 2021 season.
“The fans at Stafford Speedway are exactly who we need to reach: Connecticut homeowners, contractors, and excavators who might not know about 811,” says Tralli. “Short-track racing brings our community together every Friday night, and that gives CBYD a real opportunity to remind people that a quick call before they dig can prevent serious harm.”
More About Call Before You Dig
Call Before You Dig is a free service to anyone excavating within the state of Connecticut. It is the law. Call Before You Dig services enables excavators to obtain information on the location of underground utility pipes and cables in the area of the proposed work site. This knowledge will help protect the excavators from harm and the facilities from damage.
CBYD’s mission is to “Provide communication and education to improve safety when excavating”. Examples of projects requiring an e-ticket or a call to 811 would be digging for a new pool, a mailbox, landscaping and planting trees, or a deck. Digging only a few inches can pose risks. CBYD provides guidelines in separate manuals for professional excavators and homeowners on its website, http://www.cbyd.com. Homeowners or excavators can simply log on for an e-ticket or call 811 at no cost and the CBYD staff will guide people through the process to protect against a range of problems, from the inconvenience of disrupted utility service to the potential of explosions or electrocutions.
Stafford’s Late Model, SK Light, Limited Late Model, and Street Stock teams will join the SK Modifieds® in feature action this Friday night. Tickets for this Friday are available now on Stafford’s website and fans can save $5 by purchasing tickets in advance.
Order Friday, July 24 CBYD Senator’s Cup Tickets