Christopher Leads a Quality Pack of TQ-Midgets to the Coffee Cup
Providence, RI — The driver besting all others last weekend in Atlantic City, N.J., is looking forward to this weekend’s Coffee Cup indoor TQ-Midget race at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center in Providence, R.I.
Ted Christopher of Plainville, Conn., is looking to add another notch to his TQ-Midget earnings this weekend as he’ll drive the potent No. 13 car this Saturday night. Christopher made a statement in the TQ-Midget class as he dominated the Gambler’s Classic at Boardwalk Hall.
“I am looking forward to getting to Providence,” Christopher said. “We have a fast car and we know it will just as fast in Providence.”
Christopher is one of four different drivers who have previous TQ-Midget victories at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center. Mike Iles, Mike Lichty and Mike Stefanik are the other victors in TQ-Midget action.
“The event is a must-see for race fans in the northeast,” Christopher said. “This breaks up the monotony of the long winter season. Fans can come and watch some of the tightest and closest racing they’ll ever see.”
Christopher has a monetary incentive to run all-out this Saturday night. If he can win the Coffee Cup, his earnings in a span of a week from racing indoors could be near $10,000. He earned $5,000 last Saturday night in Atlantic City, N.J., and another $3,000 awaits the winner of the Coffee Cup.
Christopher won multiple contingency cash awards and bonuses in Atlantic City, N.J. Also, he leads the Leonard J. Sammons Jr. Indoor Winter Series, which pays the champion an additional $500.
Mike Stefanik of Coventry, R.I., enters the Coffee Cup as the defending champion. Stefanik thrilled the homestate crowd last season.
“Winning that race was exciting for me,” Stefanik said. “It is pretty right racing, very challenging. There are an array of drivers coming who are very talented and that’s what is so enticing.”
One of those drivers is asphalt Modified standout Woody Pitkat of Stafford Springs, Conn. Pitkat will make his indoor debut at the Coffee Cup.
“It’ll be interesting,” said Pitkat who finished second to Keith Rocco in the ’10 SK-Modified point standings at Stafford Motor Speedway. “It’s another notch in the belt.”
Pitkat will drive a TQ-Midget prepared by indoor expert Lou Cicconi Jr.
“I know that I am getting in a good ride,” Pitkat said. “Lou has a great reputation for putting great cars on the race track and I am anxious for this opportunity.”
In addition, Stewart Friesen, a 25-time winner outdoors last season, found a ride with Mike Iles after a dismal outing in Atlantic City, N.J. The Niagara-on-the-Lakes, Ontario, native is always a top contender indoors.
The one-day event will be action packed with grandstands opening at 6 p.m. Time trials for the TQ-Midgets and Champ Karts will follow at 6:05. Race action, which includes 10 qualifying events, begins at 7, followed by feature events for both divisions.
Tickets for the Coffee Cup are available at the Dunkin’ Donuts box office, online at www.ticketmaster.com or by calling Ticketmaster at 1-800-745-3000.
Sources: AARN