Two-Time Late Model Champion Jim Peterson Returns to Stafford Late Model Division for 2009 Season
Stafford Springs, CT — Jim Peterson has teamed up with Joe Hamm for a return to the Stafford Speedway Late Model division in 2009. Peterson is a former two-time Stafford Motor Speedway Late Model track champion and he is second to Ryan Posocco in all-time Late Model feature wins at SMS. Peterson held the record for all-time victories for a brief time before Posocco moved to the top of the list.
For years Peterson was behind the wheel of the familiar #17 Pontiac that was owned by Frank Lango. For the 2009 season, Peterson will jump into the #13 that is owned by Joe Hamm. The Peterson/Hamm team will be a combination of teams that know their way into CARQUEST Victory Lane at Stafford.
“I’m bringing some of my old crew guys together with some of Joe’s crew guys, and I can’t wait to get started,” said Peterson. “Joe’s car is a winning car, and it will be nice to be able to just focus on driving rather than driving and maintaining the car. My brother is going to be managing the team and Rick Sura is going to be the crew chief, so things will be set up like we had it before. Rick is a great crew chief and I’m looking forward to being able to work with him.”
As a two-time Late Model track champion, Peterson has seen his fair share of championship battles and he knows what it takes to be champion at season’s end. But as he and his team prepare for the 2009 season, unlike most drivers, their focus is not on winning another championship. Peterson and the team are looking to reach victory lane, and reach it very often during the 2009 season.
“We’re not really worried about the championship,” said Peterson. “Our main goal is to win races. We want to have a strong season and not tear up the car, but our main goal is to win as many times as we can and have the car up front all season long. We’d like to have around five or six wins this year. If we can do that, and keep the car up front all year long, I think we will be in the championship mix.”
After a season away from the Late Model division at Stafford, Peterson is confident that his team has everything in place to allow them to reach their victory lane goal during the 2009 season, even after a year away from the track. “We have a lot of really great people helping us out this year,” said Peterson.
“Flamingo Motorsports, Ben Dodge, and Brad LaFontaine are all helping us out with the car this year, so we will have everything in place that we will need to go out and win races. I have so many laps around Stafford, I could drive the track blindfolded. We’re all excited about getting started at the Sizzler.”
Peterson and the Joe Hamm team will kick off their 2009 quest at the 38th annual Tech-Net Spring Sizzler presented by CARQUEST, scheduled for April 24-26. 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 the public free of charge.
For more information, or to order Spring Sizzler tickets, 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