Ted Christopher Heads into CARQUEST Tech-Net Spring Sizzler with Winning Momentum on his Side
Stafford Springs, CT — As the green flag drops on the 38th Annual Tech-Net Spring Sizzler at Stafford Motor Speedway, Ted Christopher will be looking to add his name into another spot in the SMS record books. Christopher won his 4th career Spring Sizzler last April, a feat that tied him with Mike Stefanik for the most career Sizzler victories.
Christopher will certainly have momentum on his side when he arrives at Stafford. Christopher won the first Whelen Modified Tour event of the 2009 season, and he has a grand total of 9 wins in 15 races that he has run thusfar during the 2009 season in a wide variety of cars, ranging from Indoor TQ Midget cars to Whelen Modified Tour cars.
“It’s been a good start to the year so far,” said Christopher. “I always look forward to the Sizzler. That is a race that I’ve always run well in with both the SK car and the Tour car. But for me, it’s just another race. What you did last week or last month is in the past, and you have to focus on the current race.”
The 200-lap Tech-Net Spring Sizzler is the second longest race on the 2009 Whelen Modified Tour schedule and requires a different approach to car setup than the usual 150-lap race distance at Stafford. Christopher has over 100 career wins at the Connecticut half-mile, which he says gives him a slight advantage over the competition.
“You always do things a little different than usual for the Sizzler,” said Christopher. “Last year, we did something different, and I’m sure we’ll do something a little different this year. I think I have a little advantage over some guys with all the laps I have around Stafford, but there are a lot of guys who know how to go fast around Stafford. You really just have to see how the race goes and make adjustments, you know what they always say about the best laid plans going to waste. Brad LaFontaine, my crew chief, is real good at making adjustments. I think we showed that at Thompson, so we will be ready for them at Stafford.”
The 2009 Tech-Net Spring Sizzler gets underway Friday, April 24 with a practice session for Stafford’s weekly divisions. The practice session will be open to the public at no charge. The paddock area opens to Stafford’s weekly teams at 9:00am with practice running from 12 noon to 7:00pm.
Action continues on Saturday, April 25 with spectator gates opening at 10:00am. Racing begins at 1:30pm with Coors Light Pole Qualifying for the Whelen Modified Tour cars. Following time trials will be heat and consolation races for Stafford’s weekly divisions, with feature events for Stafford’s SK Light, Limited Late Model, and DARE Stock divisions wrapping up the day’s events. The SK Light and Limited Late Model feature events will each be 20-laps while the DARE Stock feature will be 15-laps.
The Sizzler continues on Sunday, April 26 with spectator gates opening at 10:00am. Stafford’s famous CARQUEST Belts & Hose Pit Party will run from 11:00am to 12 noon with feature racing beginning at 1:00pm. Stafford’s SK Modifieds® will take to the track first for a 40-lap feature event. The Whelen Modified Tour 200-lap Tech-Net Spring Sizzler will take the green at approximately 2:30pm, and Stafford’s Late Models will conclude the weekend with a 30-lap feature event.
Tickets for the “Greatest Race in the History of Spring” are on sale now at the Speedway Box Office. Tickets are priced at $35.00 for adult general admission tickets, $5.00 for children ages 6-14, and children ages 5 and under are admitted free of charge when accompanied by an adult. Reserved seating is priced at $38.00 for all ages. As always, Stafford Motor Speedway offers free parking with overnight parking available. For more information on the 38th annual CARQUEST Tech-Net Spring Sizzler®, or to order 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