Third-Generation Racer Stephen Daddio Drives to First Career Victory at Stafford Motor Speedway
Stafford Springs, CT — Combine 9 years of go-kart experience with a college degree in Mechanical Engineering, lots of hard work, and bake at 85 degrees for 5 hours. Is this a recipe for success? It certainly was the right combination for Steve Daddio last Friday night as he drove his #99 GetInsuredCT.com Chevrolet into CARQUEST Victory Lane for the first time ever at Stafford Motor Speedway.
“Unbelievable, overwhelming, just no words for it,” was Steve’s description of his feelings in CARQUEST Victory Lane. While getting caught up in the excitement of his first ever victory however; Steve forgot to mention several folks as he was giving his victory lane interview on the track’s P.A. system. “I forgot to thank everyone, especially my Dad who works on the car day in and day out, my family, my sponsors, Butchy, Bobby, and my engine builder Paul.”
Racing roots are deep in the Daddio family. Steve’s grandfather owned a car at Danbury RaceArena and then the Daddio family made the move to Stafford Speedway, where Steve’s father, Scott, ran a late model full time during the 1982 and 1983 seasons with a few starts in 1985. He finished fifth in the final point standings in 1983.
“I’ve been waiting a long time to stand in victory lane!” said Scott. Even though the win belonged to his son, you could hear the unmistakable excitement in his voice that comes along with the pride that he has in his son for his accomplishment.
Steve raced 5 shows during the 2009 season without much success in the DARE Stock division. Lots of hard work over the winter prepared the car for this season. After only 9 starts and a previous best finish of 4th place this season, the #99 sat in Victory Lane last Friday. Daddio began last Friday night’s feature event in the 6th position and he found himself in the lead when he passed Nick Salva on a lap-6 restart.
“I was on the outside of Nick Salva #72 and I knew that I wanted to go for the lead,” said Daddio. “I was just hoping that the car would stick.”
Once Daddio finished the pass on Salva, he was left wondering how he made the pass and with his first win under his belt, he has his sights set on recording another win before the season ends.
“I said to myself, ‘how did that just happen?” said Daddio. “We expect to win again and it would be nice to be able to start in the back of the field and win from there. I’ve learned a lot this year and the car is really dialed in right now.”
Daddio and his team are looking ahead to the rest of the year at Stafford, especially the Fall Final, and he one day dreams of driving in Stafford’s premier division, the SK Modifieds®, although he added that he might like to drive an SK Light as well.
“The SK Light division at Stafford is the most competitive division that I’ve ever seen”, said Steve.
Steve loves to race and he may one day join the young guns of Stafford’s SK Light Modified division. Like his father Scott said, “When you want to race with the best, it’s here at Stafford.”
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: Linda Corliss/Stafford Motor Speedway PR