Tom Fearn Looks to be Championship Contender Looks to be Championship Contender with New Car for 2010 Late Model Season at Stafford Motor Speedway
Stafford Springs, CT — In racing, a car can be much like a computer in that there are always newer and better models being produced as time goes on. After finishing the 2009 Late Model season at Stafford Motor Speedway 4th in the points standings with 2 victories, Tom Fearn and the #92 King Ward Coach Lines decided an upgrade was in their future as they look to contend for the track championship this season.
“We went to BFR and we have a brand new tube car for this season,” said Fearn. “This will be the first new car that I’ve had in a long time. We have RAD Automachine power again this year, and I think that working with a new car is really going to help us out this year.”
Fearn joined forces with the Legacy Enterprises owned team for the 2008 season and they finished 6th in points their first season together, but only managed 3 top-5 finishes. Last year, they increased their top-5 count to 9, including two victories, but Fearn feels like there is more for the team to achieve.
“We were an all new team in ’08, and we struggled a bit,” said Fearn. “We fulfilled our goals for last season and we came pretty close, but we were just missing a little. We had an old car, but we had really good results for what we were working with. I think we needed to upgrade our equipment to get to the next level. RAD won the DARE Stock and Limited Late Model championship last year and we feel like our motor program is up to snuff with everyone else and it would be nice to be able to win a championship with a RAD motor, they’ve been real good to us over the years.”
Fearn is no stranger to both competing for and winning track championships at Stafford. Fearn is a three-time track champion at Stafford in the ProStock ranks, and he has several other track championships to his credit. With the new tube chassis and his RAD Automachine Spec Engine, Fearn feels like he and the team have all the pieces in place for a run at the championship this season.
“I’ve won 6 championships in my career, but it’s been a while since I’ve won, it would be nice to add another championship,” said Fearn. “Our goal is to come to the track every week and try to win as many times as we can and let the points take care of themselves. I don’t like to talk about championships until the last week of the season. Besides the car, everything is the same from last year, we all feel real comfortable, and we’re looking forward to getting back on the track. I think we have the best Late Model drivers in the area racing here at Stafford, and I’m looking forward to getting back out on the track and racing with the veterans Tom Butler, Jim Peterson, Ryan Posocco, Michael Bennett, the younger guys Dillon Moltz, J.J. Hill, and some new faces this year.”
This season, the #92 car will once again carry sponsorship from King Ward Coach Lines and SAFCO Foam.
“My wife Sue is a big help in getting sponsors on the car,” said Fearn. “She works in banking, so she really knows how to put together a sales pitch for potential sponsors. She is also my spotter and she does a great job.”
The first race of the 2010 season is on Sunday, April 25th as part of the 39th Annual Tech-Net Spring Sizzler Weekend. There is also an extra distance 100-lap event that is the third race on the calendar, which is scheduled for May 7. Fearn points out that it is important to get off to a good start and be among the leaders rather than playing catch-up in the fight for the championship.
“Getting the season off to a good start definitely helps,” said Fearn. “The past couple years we’ve been lucky enough to have strong starts to the year. If you can have a good start to your season, you’re the guy that is getting chased rather than being the one doing the chasing. I think its easier for a driver to stay focused when you’re being chased, and that is the position that hopefully we will find ourselves in after the first couple of races.”
The chase for the 2010 championship begins in earnest with the 39th Annual Tech-Net Spring Sizzler Weekend, scheduled for April 23-25. Tickets for the 39th Annual Tech-Net Spring Sizzler Weekend 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 24, and Sunday, April 25 portions of the Tech-Net Spring Sizzler, with the Friday, April 23 practice session open to the public free of charge.
For more information, or to order Tech-Net Spring Sizzler tickets, please 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