Mike Stefanik Enters Providence Indoor Race
Providence, RI — Seven-time NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour champion Mike Stefanik will try to add another win to his illustrious resume when high-powered three-quarter size race cars (TQ-Midgets) come to the Dunkin’ Donuts Center in Providence, R.I., on March 6-7.
Stefanik, 50, of Coventry, R.I., is scheduled to drive a Colin Martin-owned No. 26 Spitfire Chassis entry in the first indoor race to happen in Rhode Island since 1959.
“It will be something different,” Stefanik said. “I’ve never sat in a TQ-Midget before, let alone race one indoors.”
The races will be right in front of the fans, on a concrete oval track built around the outside of the arena’s hockey rink. All seats will provide spectators with an excellent view of the thrilling, high-speed competition with the best drivers in the Northeast competing.
Each night will feature complete shows, including heat races, consolation races and a 20-car feature, for both classes.
Stefanik’s presence in outdoor racing is unprecedented. He was named the second greatest NASCAR Modified driver of all-time in 2003. His seven series championships are tied with Jerry Cook for second all-time, trailing only the late Richie Evans.
In 2006, Stefanik tied Evans with nine overall championships in NASCAR-sanctioned competitions, including the unique situation where in 1997 and 1998 when he won both the Modified and Busch North Se ries (now Camping World East Series) championships in the same year.
From 1989 through 1998, Stefanik won four championships in the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, and was an accomplished Busch North Series driver, winning the 1997 and 1998 titles.
In doing so, he became the first driver to win two NASCAR championships in consecutive years.
Following these seasons, Stefanik moved to the Craftsman Truck Series (now Camping World Series) and finished in the top-10 nine times during 1999, achieving the Rookie of the Year honors.Â
Stefanik has since returned to the Modified ranks and he is looking forward to representing his state in the TQ-Midget class.
“Rhode Island had the first oval track race and we have a lot of race fans, but we don’t have any race tracks any longer,” Stefanik said. “There seems to be a lot of interest in this race. As soon as I heard about an indoor race coming to Providence, I wanted to be a part of it.” Martin has fielded some of the top indoor TQ-Midgets..
He fielded an entry for Frank Fischer in the Gambler’s Classic, which was recently completed at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, N.J. Due to work commitments, Fischer is unable to attend the races in Providence.
Stefanik knows first-hand of Martin’s successful race cars.
“I went to one indoor race in Atlantic City and Joey Payne drove one of Colin’s cars to victory,” Stefanik said. “I know Joey Payne is considered one of the Mac Dad dy’s of indoor racing.
“I talked to Colin about what it’s like to race indoors. He said I should just go, jump in it and have fun. I guess I’ll be doing some on-the-job training right at the event.”
Stefanik isn’t the only NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour champion who will participate in the two-day event. Defending series champion Ted Christopher of Plainville, Conn., is the first to file an official entry form. Christopher won the Gambler’s Classic TQ-Midget race in January.
“I think this will be a great event for this area,” Stefanik said. “The Modifieds are really strong in the Northeast, plus there is a lot of Midget Car history too. Who would have ever thought we would be racing indoors in the winter?”
In addition to the TQ-Midgets, the programs will feature Senior Champ Karts, a division that features speeds close to that of the TQ-Midgets.
Entries for the event are limited to 36 TQ-Midgets and 36 Senior Champ Karts.
Tickets can be purchased at the Dunkin’ Donuts Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets, by calling 1-800-745-3000 or online at: www.ticketmaster.com.
Friday tickets are $20 (front row for adults and children), $15 (adult seats) and $10 (children age 12 and under). Saturday tickets are $25 (front row for adults and children), $20 (adults) and $10 (children age 12 and under).
Show information is available at Len Sammons Productions by calling 609-888-3618 or online: www.aarn.com. Special room rates are now20available on the web-site at the Hilton for just $79 per night. The Hilton is located within walking distance of the Dunkin Donuts Center.