Matt Gallo Returns to Stafford Speedway & Joins 2009 SK Modified® Rookie Class
Stafford Springs, CT — Stafford Motor Speedway’s 2009 SK Modified® rookie class has added Matt Gallo to its roster of candidates. Gallo returns to Stafford and makes the move into the SK Modified® division after spending the 2006 and 2007 seasons in the track’s SK Light Modified division and a full year of SK Modified® racing at Waterford Speedbowl last season. Gallo has three wins to his credit at Stafford in SK Light Modified competition, winning twice in 2006 and once in 2007, and he reached victory lane during his rookie season at Waterford. Gallo is looking forward to returning to Stafford and he is looking to continue his winning ways behind the wheel of an open-wheeled modified.
“We wanted to race at Stafford last year, but we just couldn’t make it,” said Matt Gallo. “We like racing at Stafford and we’re really looking forward to coming back to the track this season. We’ve raced at Stafford and we’ve won at Stafford in the past, so we’re looking for good things to happen this year with the SK.”
Gallo and his team will be taking advantage of the track’s new cost saving spec engine option, which Matt’s father and car owner, Dave, says was a big factor in returning to Stafford. Another factor in the Gallo team returning to Stafford after racing at Waterford is the competition level.
“The spec engine was one of the main factors in our coming back to Stafford,” said Dave Gallo. “We looked at the parts list for the spec engine and the parts are good parts that will last a long time and the engine is reasonably priced. We’re also looking forward to the competition. Stafford is a premium facility and when you come to race at Stafford, you know you’re racing against the best. When you win a race at Stafford, you can say that you’ve done something. We had a lot of fun at Waterford this year, but Matt really likes the half-mile track.”
Gallo will join fellow SK Light Modified alums Joe Allegro, Jr. Mark Bakaj, and Michael Speeney as well as former Pro-4 Modified driver Frank Hirt in the 2009 SK Modified® rookie class, but Gallo doesn’t have typical rookie goals in mind for the 2009 season.
“I don’t really think there will be a big change for me moving from the SK Light to the SK Modified®,” said Matt Gallo. “I’ve never really been a points racer, we’re looking to go out and get a win this year. I’ve won at least one race every year that I have raced in my career, so I would like to keep that streak going. I’d like to be competitive every week and race well, and if we can get a win this year, that would be great.”
Gallo will carry the familiar Guida’s Dairy colors and number 77 that he has flown previously at Stafford and he will be campaigning the same CD chassis that he drove to three victories in SK Light Modified competition at Stafford in his two limited schedule seasons. The team is also busy at work on putting together a backup car for Gallo.
“We’re bringing the same chassis back that Matt ran in the SK Light, so we feel comfortable with the car,” said Dave Gallo. “The car has been completely rebuilt over the last three years, there is not much left on the car that is original. We also acquired another modified that we have been working on as time allows so that we can have a back-up car for Matt.”
Gallo’s rookie foray into the SK Modified® division at Stafford kicks off with 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.
Souces: Scott Running/Stafford Motor Speedway PR