R.J. Surdell Ready to Go From Pits to the Track in 2013 at Stafford Speedway
Stafford Springs, CT — Stafford Motor Speedway’s Limited Late Model division has added its newest member of the 2013 driver roster with Manchester native R.J. Surdell. Surdell has worked for the past 10 years in Stafford’s paddock area and he is now ready to move from the pits onto the racetrack. Surdell has teamed up with Joey Ferrigno to campaign Ferrigno’s former #87 Limited Late Model car with some updates.
“I got into racing with Jeff Malave, and I first met Joey 8 years ago at Stafford,” said Surdell. “Joey had a car that was just sitting around, so we worked out a deal where we’re both part owners in the car. I’m working with Rob Russell right now on putting the car together and updating it. There’s been a few rule changes for the Limited Late Model division since Joey last had the car on the track, so we’re changing some things over and the car needed a new front clip. We’re still looking for an engine and transmission, but our hope is to be on the track for the Spring Sizzler.”
Surdell’s 2013 season is going to be an abbreviated season in preparation for a full effort in 2014 that will see him run for SPAFCO Rookie of the Year honors. But Surdell says that if his team can find sponsorship, that they will run the entire 2013 season.
“Right now I have enough money myself to do 5 races,” said Surdell. “We’re going to use this season as a 5-race shakedown to get some laps on the car, sort some things out, and then come back for the full 2014 season. But if something were to happen and we were able to find enough sponsorship, then we would definitely run the whole year in 2013. J.J. Hill and his crew have given me a lot of help in finding parts for the car, but we need to find additional sponsorship if we’re going to run the full season.”
Although Surdell is looking to get geared up for the 2014 season, he is full of confidence due to his background working as a crew member in the Stafford paddock area.
“I’ve been on crews for 10 years and I’ve worked with a lot of car setups,” said Surdell. “I’ve also spotted for Willie Hardie and Nichole Morgillo, so I think I’ll be able to get in the car and figure out what I need right away. With Rob Russell’s help, I feel very confident that we have something good to get started with. I worked with J.J. Hill’s crew and Rob built a new car last year and we won the second time out with the car. Rob did a great job with J.J.’s car and he’ll do a great job with my car. Our main goal is to finish races. We don’t have a lot of money and to do anything in racing, you have to first finish the race. Ultimately, I’d like to win Rookie of the Year and finish in the top-10 along with earning the respect of the Limited Late Model competitors.”
Surdell hopes to kick off his 2013 season with the 42nd Annual CARQUEST Tech-Net Spring Sizzler on April 26-28. Tickets for the “Greatest Race in the History of Spring” may be ordered by calling the Speedway Box Office. Tickets are priced at $38.50 for adult general admission tickets, $5.00 for children ages 6-14, and children ages 5 and under are admitted free of charge when accompanied by an adult. Reserved seating is $42.00 for all ages. All ticket prices include 10% CT Admission Tax.
For more information on the 42nd Annual CARQUEST TECH-NET Spring Sizzler®, or to order tickets, contact the Stafford Motor Speedway track office at 860-684-2783 or visit us on the web at www.staffordspeedway.com.
Sources: Scott Running/Stafford Motor Speedway PR