Austin Bessette Looking for Big Things in 2013 as he Moves from DARE Stocks to Ltd. Late Models
Stafford Springs, CT — Hometown driver Austin Bessette is looking for big things in 2013 at Stafford Motor Speedway. After scoring three wins last year and finishing second in the DARE Stock points standings, Bessette has made the move up the Stafford ladder into the Limited Late Model division for the 2013 season. After the initial open practice session that was held on April 20 in preparation for the 42nd Annual CARQUEST Tech-Net Spring Sizzler this weekend, Bessette is excited about his prospects for the season.
“Practice went great, and the power difference was amazing,” said Bessette. “We started off with a pretty decent car, we made some minor adjustments and tried some different things to see how it went. I thought we’d be a little slower since we were new at it, but we actually ended up being pretty decent towards the top of the speed chart.”
Bessette makes the move into the Ltd. Late Model division with the engine that propelled Cory Casagrande to the division championship last season, and he has a former Bill Davis car built by BFR for his chassis.
“I think we have a pretty good setup with the car, Rick Casagrande helped us out with the setup and Bob Fill installed a new front clip for us,” said Bessette. “We got the engine and rear end from Rick, and we know the motor ran well last year with Cory, so we feel pretty confident with the engine. The car is an old Bill Davis car, it had been sitting for two years with a brand new front clip on it. Bill never ran the new clip, but the car has some wins on it, so we’re hoping we can win with it. I think we can get to victory lane at least once this year.”
As Bessette chases after a trip to the top step of the podium during the 2013 season, he says his goal is to just be on the podium as many times as he can rather than focus on points and the championship. But if Bessette can achieve his stated goal, he may just end up achieving a second goal as Cory Casagrande proved last year that podium finishes can carry you to a championship.
“Our main goal for the year is to get as many podium finishes as we can,” said Bessette. “We’re not really focused on points or the championship, that will come in time. I think we have everything we need to have a great year, and I’m really looking forward to getting started, I like this division a lot better than the DARE Stock division already.”
Bessette will have the backing of a brand new sponsor in Brickenmore in 2013, a partnership that should help Bessette in his pursuit of CARQUEST Victory Lane.
“We have a new sponsor this year with Brickenmore,” said Bessette. “They called us and wanted to sponsor us because they saw how well we ran last year with the DARE Stock. They talked with us last year, and they were just looking, and over the winter they called us up and wanted to sponsor us this year. We also have Mainline Heating, NAPA of Tolland, Casey’s Café, and John the Jackman as sponsors this year. I can’t wait to hit the track this weekend for the Sizzler.”
Bessette will take his first shot at CARQUEST Victory Lane this weekend with the 42nd Annual CARQUEST Tech-Net Spring Sizzler. 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