Richie Pallai, Jr. Scores First Career Victory; Dillon Moltz Takes Late Model Victory on Sizzler Sunday at Stafford
Stafford Springs, CT — The 38th Annual Tech-Net Spring Sizzler presented by CARQUEST kicked off the 2009 SK Modified® and Late Model seasons at Stafford Motor Speedway with Richie Pallai, Jr. taking the 40-lap SK Modified® feature and Dillon Moltz taking the 30-lap Late Model feature.
The 40-lap SK Modified® feature took the green flag began with a bang as there was a pileup in turn 1 that collected 8 or 9 cars. Todd Owen held the lead from the pole position and he was busy up front, fending off challenges from both Ted Christopher and Frank Ruocco during the early laps of the race. Owen was able stay up front until lap-22 when Ted Christopher moved by Owen coming off turn 4. Frank Ruocco quickly moved by Owen for second place and he went by Christopher for the race lead on lap-26.
The race took a drastic change on a lap-30 restart when Ruocco and Jeff Malave touched tires coming out of turn 2 and set off a crash that collected all but 8 cars, putting Richie Pallai, Jr. who was running third behind Ruocco and Malave, into the lead with Jimmy Blewett to his outside and Brad Hietala and Christopher behind him.
Hietala was glued to the back bumper of Pallai on the restart, and he took several runs at Pallai for the lead, but was unable to complete a pass. On lap-37, Hietala made another run at Pallai in turn 1 but they touched tires, which got Hietala loose and allowed Christopher to move from fourth to second. Hietala’s bobble afforded Pallai a nearly half-straightaway lead over Christopher for the final three laps of the race. Christopher closed the gap slightly, but he ran out of laps and time as Pallai took the checkered flag to record his first career SK Modified® feature victory. Christopher finished second, with Blewett, Owen, and Hietala rounding out the top-5.
The 30-lap Late Model feature event took the green flag with Corey Hutchings powering past polesitter Joe Rzeszutek to take the early race lead. Hutchings appeared to have the car to beat as he fended off all challengers through the first 28 laps of the race. On a green white checkered restart, Hutchings and Tom Fearn made contact, which sent Hutchings spinning and brought out the caution flag. Fearn was sent to the rear of the field for rough riding, which put Scott Cook into the lead with Dillon Moltz to his outside. Several more green white checkered restart attempts were made before the final restart of the race. Moltz powered past Cook and drove away over the final two laps to take the checkered flag. Cook finished second, with Ryan Posocco, Jim Mavlouganes, and Michael Bennett rounding out the top-5.
Stafford Motor Speedway returns to racing this Friday night, May 1st with a five division card of NASCAR Whelen All-American Series action. Adult General Admission tickets are $15.00, children 6-14 are $5, and children 5 and under are admitted free when accompanied by an adult. May is Youth Organization Month at SMS, and any child age 6-14 wearing a youth team shirt or uniform to the track will be admitted free of charge. Reserved tickets are available for $18.00 for all ages. As always, Stafford Motor Speedway offers plenty of free parking with overnight parking available.
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