Here are the Monaco Modified Tri-Track Series Race Results From Seekonk Speedway from this past weekend…
Stephen Kopcik
Sullivan Wins SK Light Double Down at Stafford; Kopcik, Gray, Clement, & Hydar Also Score Feature Wins
(Stafford Springs, CT)—Stafford Speedway returned to racing action on Friday, May 26 with the SK Lights taking center stage with their first of two 40-lap Double Down extra distance feature events for the 2023 season. Brian Sullivan was the big winner of the night taking down his second win of the 2023 season in the 40-lap SK Light feature event.
Ron Silk Wins 51st Annual NAPA Spring Sizzler At Stafford Speedway
(Stafford Springs, CT)—Stafford Motor Speedway kicked off its 2023 season with “The Greatest Race in the History of Spring,” the 51st Annual NAPA Spring Sizzler® with Open Modified cars. Ron Silk picked up where he left off in modified competition at Stafford by following up his NAPA Fall Final victory last September with a victory in his NAPA Duel Qualifying Race along with taking the checkered flag in the 51st Annual NAPA Spring Sizzler.
Stafford Speedway 51st Annual NAPA Spring Sizzler Driver Preview
(Stafford Springs, CT)—This Friday and Saturday, May 12th and 13th, will see Stafford Speedway host the 51st Annual NAPA Spring Sizzler®, the first of 5 Open Modified events scheduled during the 2023 racing season. Here we take a look at each of the 44 drivers currently entered into the NAPA Spring Sizzler® and offer their driving stats at Stafford along with car number, sponsor, and chassis. (more…)
Maybury Material Handling Renews Stafford Speedway 1st Place Contingency Program Bonus
(Stafford Springs, CT)—For the 8th consecutive season, Maybury Material Handling of East Longmeadow, MA, will be a first place contingency program partner at Stafford Motor Speedway. Maybury will present a bonus of $150 to each SK Modified® winner and a $150 bonus to each SK Light feature winner. With 22 SK Modified® races on the schedule, Maybury will contribute a total of $3,300 to SK Modified® feature winners and $3,150 to SK Light feature winners with 21 SK Light races scheduled.
50 Cars Attempting to Qualify for Stafford Speedway’s NAPA Fall Final
(Stafford Springs, CT)—When the Monaco Modified Tri-Track Series comes to Stafford Motor Speedway this Saturday, September 24, there will be a robust field of 50 cars trying to qualify for the 80-lap, $15,000 to win feature event. Among the 50 entrants is a wealth of driving talent.
Thompson Speedway Mid-Week Doubleheader Starts With Twisted Tea Tuesday
Barre, VT and Naples, ME — Officials, teams and race fans across Southern New England have double the excitement on tap this week with the Thompson Speedway doubleheader planned for Tuesday, August 16th and Wednesday, August 17th. Twisted Tea Tuesday starts the midweek doubleheader off with a bang as an exciting prelude to the Wednesday return of the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour.
Marcello Rufrano Seeking First SK Modified Win in NAPA SK 5k at Stafford
(Stafford Springs, CT)—With 14 career wins at Stafford Speedway spread across the SK Light, Street Stock, and Open Modified divisions, including an SK Light championship in 2018, Marcello Rufrano knows what it takes to win and how to get to victory lane. One victory that has eluded him in his career is a win in Stafford’s premier SK Modified® division.
Wheelers Auto Service Providing NAPA SK 5k Heat Race Bonuses at Stafford
(Stafford Springs, CT)—For the 8th consecutive season, John & Maina Rufrano from Wheelers Auto Service of Hamden, CT will provide heat race bonuses for this Friday night’s NAPA SK 5k event at Stafford Speedway.
Michael Christopher, Jr. Looking to Get Back to Winning Ways in Stafford’s NAPA SK 5k
(Stafford Springs, CT)—For Stafford Speedway SK Modified® driver Michael Christopher, Jr., the 2022 season has been a struggle. The 2021 season saw Christopher win a total of 4 races, including the non-points All-Star Shoot-Out as well as the NAPA SK 5k, and he finished second in the points.
Christopher, Bennett, Debbis, Hammann, & Hydar Score May 7th Stafford Weekly Series Wins
(Stafford Springs, CT)—Stafford Speedway hosted its first scheduled Friday night race of the 2021 season with a Stafford Weekly Series program on Friday, May 7th. Michael Christopher outdueled Keith Rocco to win the SK Modified® feature, while both Michael Bennett and Derek Debbis both made it two-for-two in 2021 by winning the Late Model and SK Light feature events respectively. Rich Hammann scored his first career Stafford feature victory in the Limited Late Model feature, and Travis Hydar won the Street Stock feature. (more…)
Stafford Speedway Kicks Off 21 Weeks of Friday Night Racing
This Friday night, May 7, will see Stafford Speedway host the first of 21 weeks of Friday night weekly racing. Here we take a look at several storylines from each of Stafford’s five weekly divisions that have developed over the first 2 events of the 2021 season. (more…)
Kopcik, Debbis, and Levangie Score NAPA Auto Parts Spring Sizzler Feature Wins at Stafford Speedway
(Stafford Springs, CT)—Stafford Speedway hosted the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour for the NAPA Auto Parts Spring Sizzler with the SK Modififeds®, SK Lights, and Vintage All-Stars in action. Scoring feature wins were Stephen Kopcik in the 40-lap SK Modified® feature event, Derek Debbis in the 20-lap SK Light Modified feature event, and Ben Levangie in the 15-lap Vintage All-Stars feature event. (more…)
Hines, Bennett, Fearn, & Meyer Score NAPA Auto Parts Opening Day Victories At Stafford Motor Speedway
(Stafford Springs, CT)—Stafford Speedway ushered in the 2021 racing season with NAPA Auto Parts Opening Day on Saturday, April 24. Stafford’s SK Modifieds®, Late Models, Limited Late Models, and Street Stocks were all in action along with the Granite State Pro Stock Series. (more…)
Stephen Kopcik Ready for Breakout Season in Stafford’s SK Modifieds
(Stafford Springs, CT)—Stafford Speedway’s weekly race teams are gearing up for the start of another season with NAPA Opening Day on April 24 and the NAPA Spring Sizzler® on April 25. SK Modified® driver Stephen Kopcik is familiar with winning as he was the 2015 SK Light track champion and 2016 SK Modified® Rookie of the Year. The 23 year old Newtown, CT native heads into his 6th season of SK Modified® competition looking to add to his win list. (more…)
New Smyrna World Series Night #7 – Unofficial Results
After the jump, you’ll find unofficial results from Night #7 (Thursday) of the World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing at New Smyrna Speedway (FL) … (more…)
Ryan Preece Drives From Daytona to New Smyrna & Wins Blewett Memorial!
Shortly after 8 p.m. on Wednesday night, NASCAR Cup Series driver Ryan Preece locked himself into Sunday’s 63rd Annual Daytona 500. Three hours later, after making the quick drive from Daytona International Speedway to New Smyrna Speedway, Preece stood in victory lane celebrating his second career win in the John Blewett III Memorial for Tour-type Modifieds. (more…)
New Smyrna World Series Night #5 – Unofficial Results
Here you’ll find unofficial results from Night #5 (Tuesday) of the World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing at New Smyrna Speedway (FL), after the jump… (more…)
Track Talk – Thompson Speedway Has Three Upcoming Virtual iRaces / Strong List of Modifieds Already Entered for New Smyrna
THOMPSON, Conn. — Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park will come to virtual life three times during the winter months, as a new iRacing series will give drivers and fans a chance to prepare for the 2021 season. In a series promoted by Souza Media, full-time Modified, Late Model & Super Late Model drivers from across New England will compete in three different races — including the virtual historic Thompson 300 — with one-race in January, another in February and a final in March.
The series will help preview the real-life season at Thompson for 2021 — which is slated to begin with the annual Icebreaker weekend from April 9-11, and hold six oval events, promoted by the American Canadian Tour and Pro All Star Series. All three iRacing events will take place on Saturday’s — January 23, February 20 and March 20 — and will all begin with the drop of the green flag at 2PM. The feature races will air live, in full, on Extreme Sim TV, via Facebook and YouTube. Qualifying heat races, consolation races and a B-Main will be conducted prior to the broadcast start.
The three iRacing events will include an opener with iRacing’s SK Modified, previewing the Sunoco Modified season at Thompson, on January 23, for a 100-lap event. The second will put some of New England’s best Late Model stars together in ACT-style Late Models for their own 100-lapper on February 20. The final will help promote and preview the return of the historic Thompson 300, as Tour-Type Modifieds are used for a virtual 300-lapper on March 20. In real-life, officials are bringing back the Thompson 300 as part of the Sunoco World Series of Racing at Thompson in October of 2021.
“This iRacing series will give drivers and fans of Thompson Speedway a chance to come together during the cold winter months for some virtual racing,” Kyle Souza, owner of Souza Media, said. “We’re looking forward to watching the Thompson 300 in real-life, but we think this virtual experience will showcase some of what it will take to win the real-life event and get fans energized for the October 2021 race.”
- A maximum of 29 drivers will start each race, in order to keep the car count reasonable on a tight, banked track, and produce green flag racing. Out of the 29 competitors, 28 drivers will qualify through the heats, consi’s and B-Main sessions, while one provisional is available for a most recent Thompson track champion or Modified, Late Model or Super Late Model champion, if needed. If no champions fail to qualify, the provisional may be used for a promoters option. Qualifying will begin at 10 AM on each of the race days, while there will also be multiple practice sessions prior to race day.
In order to be eligible for the events, drivers must fit one of the requirements put in place by officials. Race officials have the final determination on eligibility and may elect to refund participants who register but don’t fit qualifications. For all three events, drivers must be:
A current or past full-time weekly competitor in Late Models, Super Late Models or Modifieds
A current or past touring series competitor in Late Models, Super Late Models or Modifieds
Immediate crew member of one of the above drivers — defined as either a car owner, crew chief or spotter.
*If all spots are not filled for the event five days prior to event start, fans of Thompson Speedway, Modifieds, Super Late Models or Late Models will be able to register to fill the spots*
The first 60 entered drivers will be registered for the event. Anyone who registers past that 60 number will be placed on a waitlist. Registration fees are $15 per event, or $45 for the entire series. Registration can be completed at kylesouza.com/thompson-
A payout is guaranteed for the top-five at the end of each race, with a minimum of $50 to win the feature. The virtual Thompson 300 will pay at least $125 to win. Sponsorship opportunities for the series are available by emailing kylesouzamedia@gmail.com. Sponsorships will include full race deals and contingency awards.
VIRTUAL THOMPSON iRACING SERIES SCHEDULE:
January 23 — SK Modified — 100 laps
February 20 — Late Models — 100 laps
March 20 — Tour-Type Modified — 300 laps
Source: SOUZA MEDIA
Source: Speed51
The year 2020 is still not over, but Tour-type Modified fans already have reason to smile in 2021, as the entry list for the 55th World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing is already packed with talent. With 19 drivers entered so far for the five nights in February at New Smyrna Speedway, the anticipation in the Northeast is high heading into Florida Speedweeks.
Three-time New Smyrna World Series Tour-type champion Ryan Preece of Berlin, CT is expected to do a part-time schedule in the No. 6 while the ‘Mighty Modifieds’ are in town from February 8 to 12, as he begins his third NASCAR Cup Series season with JTG-Daugherty Racing just up I-95 at Daytona International Speedway.
As for those going for the championship, two-time and defending New Smyrna champion Matt Hirschman is entered in the No. 60, while 2014 Tour-type & two-time World Series SK Modified champion Ron Silk of Norwalk, CT. is slated to make his return to New Smyrna for the first time since 2018, driving in the No. 16 Modified he fielded on multiple occasions in 2020.
Rounding the list of former champions is another two-time champion, Chuck Hossfeld, who is also returning to New Smyrna after a year away. Hossfeld will field the No. 2 for Gershow Motorsports; the family team also has both J.R. and Joe Bertuccio also on the provisional entry list.
The Catalano family is once again expected to be heading south in full force this coming February. Tommy Catalano is entered in the PSR No. 17 for the second-straight year. Meanwhile, the family operation has Timmy, Tyler, and Amy Catalano all entered for the week as well.
The ‘Long Island Gang’ is so far represented by two of its toughest customers, both also from the racing town of Riverhead. Former Turkey Derby winner Dave Sapienza is heading back, looking to put his No. 36 in New Smyrna victory lane for the first time. Meanwhile, Eric Goodale will look to add to his win total, and take the No. 58 to its first World Series championship.
While Preece and Silk currently form the veteran arm of Connecticut entrants, it’s Ronnie Williams who heads up the list of young guns in the No. 50, with the former Tri-Track Open Modified Series and Stafford Speedway SK Modified champion expected to make his first start at New Smyrna since 2018.
Entered for their New Smyrna debuts, 2018 Stafford SK Light champ Marcello Rufrano caught the attention of the Modified world with his first Tour-type win at Stafford in 2020. Stafford SK race winning driver and NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour winning crew chief Stephen Kopcik will make his first appearance as a driver in the No. 179, previously attending New Smyrna as a crew member.
Veteran Upstate New York short tracker Chris Finocchario is entered to make his World Series debut in his No. 8 Modified.
New Jersey’s Eddie McCarthy is heading back with his No. 20 after using the 2020 World Series as learning experience for the future.
Brian Robie of New Hampshire is heading back to New Smyrna with redemption on his mind, after destroying his engine early in the week in 2020. Robie and the No. 25 camp are looking for their first World Series race win after sweeping Modified track titles at Claremont Motorsports Park, Monadnock Speedway and Hudson International Speedway back home in 2020.
Perhaps most excited is the lone southern driver entered thus far, Florida’s own Jeremy Gerstner. The former Southern Modified Racing Series champion is eager to pit his new No. 55 Modified against the competition over the five nights of action.
The 55th World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing will run for nine straight nights once again 2021, February 5 through 13. The David Rogers Super Late Models, Florida Modifieds, and Pro Late Models will each run for seven of the nine nights.
The Tour-type Modifieds will begin their first of five-straight nights on Monday, February 8 with a 50-lap feature alongside the season opener for the ARCA Menards Series East. Following at 35-lap sprint race on Tuesday, the John Blewett III Memorial 76 takes center stage on Wednesday, February 10. Another 35-lap feature is on for Thursday, with the Tour Mod schedule wrapping on Friday, February 12 with the Richie Evans Memorial 100.
The World Series itself concludes on Saturday, February 13 with the Orange Blossom 100 for Super Late Models headlining the ninth night.
Stay with Speed51 for more news as Speedweeks 2021 draws ever closer.
-Story by: Connor Sullivan, Speed51 Northeast Editor – Twitter: @Connor51CT
-Photo credit: Speed51