Stafford Previews 2008 Limited Late Model Season
Stafford Springs, CT — The Limited Late Model division at Stafford Motor Speedway has seen three different track champions in its three year existence and the 2008 season could very well make it four for four.
Michael Bennett was the inaugural Limited Late Model champion during the 2005 season, Kevin Gambacorta was the 2006 champion, and Sean Foster is the defending track champion in the Limited Late Model division.
Defending track champion Sean Foster has stated that he may not run a full season of competition, which would leave the chase for the championship wide open. Last year, Foster outlasted the competition for the championship with 4 wins and 16 top-5 finishes in 20 starts.
Rick Lanagan led the division with 8 feature wins last season, but Rob Dow is moving from the owners seat back behind the wheel of the #29 car that Lanagan piloted last year. Andrew Durand has won 15 Limited Late Model feature events, making him the winningest driver in the division’s three-year existence. Durand returns to Stafford this season with his team intact and will look to add to his career win total while trying to find the consistency that will keep him in championship contention after two finishes of third and a fifth place showing in the points standings. Other feature winners from last season that are returning include Joey Ferrigno, who has a new sponsor, and Michael Nadeau.
Other division veterans who are returning for the 2008 season include Darrin Havanec, Mike Chaves, Glenn Bartkowski, Corky Hinze, Jeff Hubbell, Pete Cayer, 2007 Rookie of the Year David Capriati, Lori-Jo Rzeszutek, and Greg Butler.
Stafford Motor Speedway asked several Limited Late Model drivers for their thoughts and goals for the upcoming 2008 season:
Greg Butler, Jr.: “We always want to be competitive every week hands down. We would like to have good runs and good finishes this season. I would like to finish in the top-ten in the point standings this year. We have some sponsors joining us this year: Storm Track, Water Evacuation Company, and East Hampton Auto Parts.”
David Capriati: “I would like to get a win this year, maybe a couple. I would like to have a top-ten consistent running car and a top-ten finish in the point standings. We’re hoping for a good year after winning Rookie of the Year last season. We have a new body and the tester for the GMC Crate Motor Program. All in all I’m just looking to have fun.”
Joey Ferrigno: “I want to be able to run up in the top-five week in and week out and hopefully compete for some wins and the championship. We have a new sponsor this year Davidson Foods and we just want to run good and not let our sponsors down.”
Sean Foster: “At this point I am going to try for another championship again this season. I’m not sure if I will be running a full season yet. I am looking out for myself and seeing if I can move up a division this season.”
Kevin Gambacorta: “I want to win my third track championship this season. Last year I had a frustrating season, no wins, but still finished third in the point standings. I want to improve from last season and get some wins. I want to do good to hopefully attract some sponsors for the team.”
Darrin Havanec: “I would like to get as many podium finishes as possible this season. A top-five finish in the point standings would be great and a championship overall would be best and hopefully we have it.”
Corky Hinze: “I would like to race every week, but will only be able to race every other week. Because of racing every other week I won’t be in the points race. I just want to be competitive when I do race, and win as many races as we can. I am just going to do the best I can do with what I have when I do race.” Jeff Hubbell: “I hope to be consistently competitive this season. I would like to get some top-ten finishes this year. I want to finish as many races as possible this season, have good runs, and hopefully get some podium finishes this season.”
Ky Jensen: “I got a new car this season, so we need to shake the bugs out of it. I just want to compete up front and do well. I am fielding a second car in the DARE Stock Division for my brother. I’m getting him some seat time so he can move up to the limited next season. We just want to get more time at the track and hopefully gain more sponsors.”
Michael Nadeau: “I would like to improve from last year, most of all. This is probably going to be my last year of racing and I would like to go out on a high note. I have raced for three years and have made every race so far, and I would like to be able to continue that. If I make every race this season, I would be the first driver to make every race for four years. After three years of racing rear-wheel cars, I don’t feel like I have a handle on them yet, and I am hoping to get a grasp on these cars this year.” Lori-Jo Rzeszutek: “I just want to be competitive and have fun out on the track. I would like a win, because I think I have a win in me. Its not fun if you’re not going fast.”
Barry Thomasen: “I would like to have good finishes this season. Top fives finishes would be great if possible, for my small team and I. I am running the GM crate motor this season as well.”
A common theme amongst the Limited Late Model drivers is to become more consistent and to reach victory lane. Others have championship aspirations for the 2008 season. With such a diversity amongst the driver goals and outlooks for the 2008 season, the on track action is sure to unfold into another season of exciting door to door racing action at Stafford Motor Speedway.
The Limited Late Model drivers will make their 2008 season debut during the 37th Annual CARQUEST Tech-Net Spring Sizzler. The Limited 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 20-lap feature event of the 2008 season later in the day.
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