Mark Bakaj Makes Move Up to SK Modified® Division for 2009 Season at Stafford
Stafford Springs, CT — After winning four races and posting a third place finish in the 2008 SK Light Modified points standings at Stafford Motor Speedway, Mark Bakaj will make the move up to the SK Modified® division and challenge for Rookie of the Year honors during the 2009 season. Bakaj will utilize the new SK Modified® Spec Engine in his car, which he says was a major factor in making the move up to the feature division.
“The new spec motor was a big factor in allowing us to make the move up to the SK Modified® division,” said Bakaj. “Business has been slow of late, so we don’t have a whole lot of money to work with. We’re working with Brian Kowalyshyn from Specialty Performance Engines on our engine. He’s not one of the more known engine guys, but he makes great engines and our team is excited about going SK Modified® racing and shooting for Rookie of the Year this season.”
Aside from the engine and shocks, Bakaj will pilot the same chassis that he took to 4 victories this past season. Bakaj has become known for working the outside groove to his benefit, and he hopes to continue that trend in the SK Modified division with more power at his disposal.
“We took our SK Light car and put an SK engine in it and ran at Thompson, Waterford, and we went up north for a race,” said Bakaj. “We have a real good chassis and I’m actually more comfortable in the car with the extra power that the SK Modified® engine makes compared to the SK Light engine. The car has more throttle response and the extra power really snaps the car. I’m looking forward to making some passes in the outside groove. The outside groove goes back to my motocross days; The rule was if you want to pass someone, you had to run where they weren’t running. At Stafford, there’s a lot of guys who don’t run the outside groove, which leaves it open and I feel real comfortable in the car on the outside. We hope Brian can give us some real good power and we can go to the front on the outside.”
Another factor that will assist Bakaj as he looks to race his way to Rookie of the Year honors will be the presence of his brother, Chris, who will serve as Bakaj’s spotter for the upcoming season.
“I’m really looking forward to working with my brother on the radio this season,” said Bakaj. “Chris is a little more level headed and a little less aggressive than I am, which I really think will keep me more level headed on the track this season. I’m really excited about that and I think we are going to be a good combination.”
Bakaj joins fellow SK Light racers, Joe Allegro, Jr. and Michael Speeney as well as former Pro-4 Modified driver Frank Hirt in the 2009 SK Modified® rookie class. The chase for SK Modified® Rookie of the Year kicks off during the 38th Annual Tech-Net Spring Sizzler, scheduled for April 24th through April 26th. Tickets for “The Greatest Race in the History of Spring” are now on sale at the Stafford Motor Speedway box office. Tickets are priced at $35.00 for adult general admission tickets, $5.00 for children ages 6-14, $38.00 for reserved seats, and free for children ages 5 & under. Tickets are good for admission to the Saturday April 25, and Sunday, April 26 portions of the Tech-Net Spring Sizzler, with the Friday, April 24 practice session open to the public free of charge.
For more information, 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