Stafford Speedway President Jack Arute, Jr., to Serve as Grand Marshal of 39th Annual CARQUEST Tech-Net Spring Sizzler
Stafford Springs, CT — As part of Stafford Motor Speedway’s 40th Anniversary celebration, former track promoter and current Television broadcaster Jack Arute Jr. has been selected as this year’s Grand Marshal for the Tech Net Spring Sizzler presented by CARQUEST.
“Jackie played an integral role in Stafford’s early year,” said current Track CEO and Jackie’s brother, Mark Arute. “Many of his innovations are now common practice not only at Stafford, buit at short tracks around the country.”
Some of those innovations include multiple announcers, pit road PA reports, a dedicated Victory Lane area and special pre-race shows. Arute left his Stafford promoter duties in 1973 to pursue a broadcasting career first with NASCAR’s MRN Radio and then with ABC Television where he covered a variety of sports including NASCAR, the Iditarod Sled Dog Race, Olympic Soccer, Cycling, and Luge. For more than 25 years he was a cornerstone to ABC’s coverage of NCAA College Football as well as the IndyCar Series and the Indianapolis 500.
Arute’s television efforts have earned him multiple broadcasting awards and he is a current member of his hometown’s (New Britain, CT) Sports Hall of Fame. Since returning to the Northeast in the early ’90’s Jack has been the force behind Stafford’s television coverage including ESPN’s telecast of the Fall Final and NESN’s NASCAR New England. Now the IZOD IndyCar Pit Analyst for Versus’ IndyCar series telecasts, Jackie was also a key catalyst in the network’s decision to air 9 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour events this year including the Town Fair Tire 150 and Stafford’s season ending CARQUEST Fall Final.
“No matter where I have travelled, I have never forgotten Stafford and the people who made it the success that it is today,” said Jackie. “When Mark asked me to serve as this year’s Tech Net Spring Sizzler Grand Marshal, I was both honored and humbled.”
The 2010 Tech-Net Spring Sizzler gets underway Friday, April 23 with a practice session for Stafford’s weekly divisions. The practice session will be open to the public at no charge. Action continues on Saturday, April 24 with Coors Light Pole Qualifying for the Whelen Modified Tour cars, along with heat and consolation races for Stafford’s weekly divisions. Saturday will conclude with feature events for the SK Light, Limited Late Model, and DARE Stock divisions. The Sizzler continues on Sunday, April 25 with the CARQUEST Belts & Hose Pit Party followed by Stafford’s SK Modifieds® and Late Models joining the Whelen Modified Tour in feature action.
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 39th 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