ISMA Back on the Road to Stafford’s 7th Annual Xtreme Tuesday Show July 6
Oswego, NY — With only two races in the books in 2010 so far and over a month off, the ISMA contingent is itching to get back in action on July 6. Stafford Motor Speedway is just the place to do that when the 7th annual Carquest Xtreme Tuesday event takes place. Joining ISMA will be the ever-popular NEMA midgets and the Pro Four mods, to make a full evening of weeknight racing. Rowley, Mass. driver Chris Perley will be trying to put the Vic Miller 11 into victory lane for the third straight year, with a lot of competitors looking to stop that string where it stands.
Last year rain challenged both ISMA and Stafford officials and competitors, but the feature race prevailed albeit being shortened up by four laps when the rain came back to haunt. Perley exhibited his usual exciting demeanor in winning his second straight and fourth overall in the weekday show. Perley took the lead from Dave McKnight who continued as a challenger as did Mike Lichty, McKnight’s teammate. That duo both dropped by the wayside due to engine woes with the ageless legend Bentley Warren moving in to take up the runner-up spot and to give Perley a run for his money.
Perley commented in victory lane in 2009, “I just love this track. It’s a lot of fun out there. It was awesome to see Bentley there but honestly I was giving it all I had at the end because I’m not going to leave anything on the table when the old man is behind me. You never know when he’s going to take it from me. I would have liked to take the race to the end. It’s a little disappointing to the fans and to the driver when it ends like that. You want to finish what you started. The guys in second and third want to run to the end because anything can happen to the leader. I was also thinking about how many caution laps we had run. I knew we were getting close on fuel and I was hoping the crew had fueled it up good. That’s why you want to finish 50 laps. You never know what’s going to happen.”
Bentley, who won Stafford events in 1968, ‘69 and ‘80, was obviously having fun. Starting in 11th, he diced in and out of heavy traffic, making some daring moves to get within sight of Perley when the final yellow brought out the checkered. That last restart might have made for one heck of a shootout between the teammates, but fuel was definitely at a minimum at this point and the pending rain, overrode the possibility.
Said Warren with a chuckle after the checkered fell, “I was having a great time. As usual the guys did just a heck of a job with this race car. It’s fun to drive. It was fun to finish one- two, but I would have rather passed him. If he were nice he would have waited for an old man. But, he never waits around and that’s why he wins all the time.”
Russ Wood, Mark Sammut and Mike Ordway Jr., driving the Holbrook 41, finished up the top five of the 28-car starting field.
Recently Perley took a minute from his hectic marina business to comment on the upcoming 2010 Xtreme event as he goes for his third straight win. “I guess I have to try and beat Mike Lichty now,” Perley laughed. “It’s just awesome that he’s finally won and now he’s going to be tougher with a month off. We’ll be heading to Stafford to try and get both cars in the one –two spots again this year. Hopefully we can get the Vic Miller team right back to where we left off at Stafford last season.”
A third consecutive win for Perley would make him the dominant ISMA winner with a total of five wins out of seven appearances since 2004.
This year’s Carquest Xtreme Tuesday event gets under way when the gates swing open on July 6th with practice starting at 3:30pm. At 4:15 the ticket booths and main grandstands open with practice ending at 5:30. The heats and consolation races begin at 5:45 with features to follow. Tickets may be ordered online at www.staffordmotorspeedway.com. Paddock passes are $45; adult general admission $30; reserved seating $32; kids 6-14 $5 and Kids under 5 (general admission) are admitted free.
Stafford Motor Speedway is located on Rt. 140, 55 West Street in Stafford Springs, CT 06076. Phone 860-684-2763 for ticket information.
Sources: ISMA PR