Sara Locascio is Newest Member of SK Light Modified Rookie Class at Stafford Speedway
Stafford Springs, CT — Sara Locascio, from Carmel, NY, is the newest member of the 2011 SK Light Modified rookie class at Stafford. Locascio has competed against the likes of Tommy Barrett, Jr., Matt Galko, and Dylan Liseo in the quarter midget ranks and she will now once again compete against them on the track in the #02 Shear Moritz Hair Design Chevrolet. Barrett, Galko, and Liseo each found their way into victory lane last season with Galko winning the championship as well. Locascio hopes that she can find the same amount of success on the track.
“A lot of my former competitors made the move into the SK Lights, and after talking with them, we thought it would be the next logical step for me to take,” said Locascio. “We don’t expect to be in the top-5 right away, but Tommy Barrett, Matt Galko, Dylan Liseo, and Tommy Membrino have all had success, so I think I can be successful as well in the SK Lights. I’m very excited to move up to a new division and see where it will take me.”
Locascio comes to Stafford with an extensive background. She has been racing quarter midgets since 2004 and she has experience in Alcohol Half Midgets as well as World Formula cars. Locascio has won races in Connecticut, New Jersey, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania, and her team has purchased the same car that Michael Gervais, Jr. drove to the 2009 SK Light track championship at Stafford.
“Having a car that won a championship is encouraging for us because we know it’s a good car,” said Locascio. “I have a great crew behind me and now we have to get a good engine in the car and we’ll be ready to go.”
While Locascio has an extensive background in midget racing, the 2011 season will be her first experience sitting behind the wheel of a full blown open-wheeled modified car. While she knows she faces an uphill learning curve, she is ready to tackle that challenge head on.
“This will be my first time in a modified, I’m very excited,” said Locascio. “I’m going to have to get used to the larger car, the larger engine, and the size of the track. Practice is going to be very important for me. I will have to learn the limits of the car, where to get on and off the gas, and see what we need to make the car faster.”
One area where Locascio feels she will have an advantage is racing the competition.
“I think having raced against some of the competitors in quarter midgets will give me an advantage in knowing how to race with them, but it’s definitely going to be a challenge for me,” said Locascio.
As she gears up for her first taste of open-wheeled modified competition at Stafford, Locascio has modest goals set for herself and her team.
“My goal for the year is to become a better driver during the year and win a race,” said Locascio. “We’d like to have a shot at the Rookie of the Year, and we’d like to finish in the top-10 at the end of the season.”
Locascio will hit the track for the first time on April 30 as part of the 40th Annual CARQUEST Tech-Net Spring Sizzler Weekend. The SK Lights will be joined by the Whelen Modified Tour as well as Stafford’s other four NASCAR Whelen All-American Series divisions. 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, 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