Stafford Motor Speedway Previews 2008 Late Model Season
Stafford Springs, CT — The Late Model division at Stafford Motor Speedway frequently offers some of the best full fendered racing action that you will find at any track in New England and the 2008 season is shaping up to be another fabulous season of Late Model racing.
A chief contender to Hutchings will be 3-time champion Ryan Posocco, who has teamed with Kretschman Motorsports for the 2008 season. Posocco will form a two-car team with Woody Pitkat. Pitkat will drive a limited schedule while Posocco will take the controls of the car that Pitkat drove to 8 wins over the past two season as well as the 2006 championship. Posocco became Stafford’s all-time winningest Late Model driver last season and looks to add to his career win total which stands at 28 victories heading into the 2008 season.
Another driver who will be among the championship contenders is Dillon Moltz. Moltz won two races last season as a 16-year old rookie driver while driving a partial schedule due to the fact that he didn’t turn 16 until the end of June. With a full schedule this year, he should be counted among the drivers who will vie for the championship. Other division veterans who know their way to victory lane and are sure to be championship contenders include Michael Bennett , Tom Butler, Scott Cook, Scott Foster, Jr., Mark Lewis, and Mike Quintiliano.
Stafford Motor Speedway asked several Late Model drivers for their thoughts and goals for the upcoming 2008 season:
Michael Bennett: “I would like to improve from last year. Also improve every week as well. I would like to win at least a couple of races and my goal is to finish in the top ten in the point standings.”
Doug Blowers, Jr.: ” My goals are to be able to compete for a full season and to finish a strong top-five or ten in the point standings.”
Tom Butler: “I enjoy winning races, and I would like to win some races this season. After all these years I am still chasing my first championship. Most of all I would like to be in the top-five in the point standings.”
Brian Chapin: “I would like to win rookie of the year and win at least one race this year. I would be thrilled to death if I could finish in the top ten in points.”
Rick Charette: “We would like to run a full season and stay together and out of trouble, and try and have a good season like we did last year. I would also like to have a win this season.”
Scott Cook: “I would like to be consistent and have top-five finishes on a weekly basis. We’re excited for the season with a new program and new sponsors. The guys are pumped up and ready to start the new season. I would like to stay out of trouble and know whom we are racing with at all times. We are going to take it one race at a time this year. The team has a new philosophy this year that we have no friends on the track, so drive aggressively but defensively. We’re more focused and well prepared for this season.”
Scott Foster, JR: “To have fun and win races.” J.J. Hill: “My expectations for this year are to do a lot better then last year. After last year there is only one way for our team to go and that is up for this season. I just want to be consistent this year and have solid top ten finishes.”
Corey Hutchings: “Be able to repeat as champions. Run good, have fun and win some races.” Jim Mavlouganes: “We are running a part time schedule this year. We would like to win every time we race. All in all we would just like to have a strong run when we do race.”
Mike Mordino: “Try to do the best we can and get back into the winners circle.”
Kyle Nosal: ” I would like to run in the top ten and or five for the season. I would also like to get some wins this season as well.”
Woody Pitkat: “At this point in time I am only running eight races. I would like to win the Spring Sizzler and do well on a week-to-week basis. I want to make the car owners happy, so we can run the whole season.”
Mike Quintiliano: “I would like to be able to do the best that we can, and have good finishes this season. I would also like to get back to winning this year.”
Ed Ricard: “At this point in time we are not looking to run a full season this year. On the other hand we are looking to run the bigger shows. We are taking running the season week by week and seeing what happens.”
Joe Rzeszutek: “I am running a part time schedule this season in the 49 car. We are looking forward to the races that we will be running. We are also looking forward to the Spring Sizzler and hope we do well.”
Billy Snow III: “I would like to get into the top-ten in points this year. I would also like to get a checkered flag at least once this season.”
David St. Amant: ” Last year was my first year racing a Late Model and my first year racing anything. I think I did pretty well with a best finish of 15th. I would like to run and complete a full season this year. I would like to finish better then 15th this year and get more seat time. I would also like to stay out of trouble, out of the wall, and out of my fellow competitors.” Mark St. Hilaire: “We would like to win a race this season.”
Patrick Townsend: “Would like to have several podium finishes this year, be more competitive, stay clean and out of trouble, and communicate better with my team, we had some problems last year. The car owner, Christopher Welch, the team and I have known each other since we were 14 and 15 years old. The primary sponsor on the car is Kick Back Restaurant and Lounge, which is in memory of a dear friend.”
Walt Wosko, Jr.: “I would like to win rookie of the year, be able to finish races, and be competitive.” Dave Wray: “I would like to be able to win finally. I would also like to be in top-ten in the point standings at season end.”
The Late Model drivers will make their 2008 season debut during the 37th Annual CARQUEST Tech-Net Spring Sizzler. The Late Models take to the track for the first time on Saturday, April 26 with qualifying heats and then take to the track for their first 30-lap feature event of the 2008 season on Sunday, April 27. Tickets for 37th Annual Tech-Net Spring Sizzler presented by CARQUEST are on sale now and can be obtained by calling the speedway office at 860-684-2783 or by stopping by the office in person.
Tickets for “The Greatest Race In the History of Spring” are priced at $35.00 for Adult General Admission, $38.00 for Reserved Seating, $5.00 for children ages 6-14, and children ages 5 and under are admitted FREE when accompanied by an adult. Parking is available on the speedway grounds FREE of charge, with overnight parking for campers and RVs available.
For more information about the 2008 season at Stafford Motor Speedway, contact the front office at (860) 684-2783 or visit us on the web at www.staffordspeedway.com.
Sources: Scott Running/Stafford Motor Speedway PR