Ed Flemke, Jr. Recalls First Spring Sizzler; Ready to Make 21st Career Start in 40th Annual CARQUEST Tech-Net Spring Sizzler
Stafford Springs, CT — In the 39 year history of the CARQUEST Tech-Net Spring Sizzler, one driver who has been there to see it all is Ed Flemke, Jr. From the very first Sizzler watching his father race to this year’s 40th edition where he will pilot his familiar #10 Ron Bouchard Auto Stores machine, Flemke has a lifetime of Sizzler memories and experiences.
“I’ve been to pretty much every Sizzler,” said Flemke. “I think the only race I missed was the SK Modified® Sizzler. When the race first started out, it was something very different. Back then, tracks didn’t have “big” shows, they usually just had normal weekly shows. That first Sizzler was a novel idea. It was a short sprint race and there was a lot of hype behind that race. I remember the poster for the first Sizzler had a dirt modified on it. That first race, the rules were pretty loose and it was kind of a run what you brought type of race. Some cars had fuel injection, some had big carbs, there were big blocks, small blocks, some cars had spoilers, some didn’t have a spoiler, and there were different types of body styles. It was just the start of the Pinto Revolution and there were Pintos, Vegas, Gremlins, Coupes, and Late Model body styles, so there was a lot more variety with the cars than what fans see now. Also, there was some intrigue for the fans with those first Sizzlers. What was Maynard Troyer going to bring out, what was Richie Evans going to bring to the track? There were new cars, new color schemes, a lot of things for the race fans to look forward to. Those first two Sizzlers are the races that stick out for me. Dad led a lot of that first race and almost won it and then he came back the next year and won that race. It was pretty special to be a part of those first Sizzler races.”
This year’s 40th Annual CARQUEST Tech-Net Spring Sizzler will mark Flemke’s 21st career start in “The Greatest Race in the History of Spring.” Flemke’s best career finish in the Sizzler has been third, which he has done on two occasions in 2000 and 2004. Flemke had a strong run in the first Whelen Modified Tour event of the 2011 season, running as high as second before finishing 11th, and he is looking forward to yet another start in the CARQUEST Tech-Net Spring Sizzler.
“We’re looking forward to Stafford,” said Flemke. “We have a renewed energy in the team this season. We had a good start to the year at Thompson, we got as high as second before we slipped back to 11th. We tried a little different strategy to get some track position. We only changed one tire and as the run went on, the car got a little tight on me and wasn’t turning as good as it was before the pit stop. Everyone on the team is really looking forward to this year.”
The 40th Annual CARQUEST Tech-Net Spring Sizzler gets underway Friday, April 29 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 30 with Coors Light Pole Qualifying for the Whelen Modified Tour cars, along with heat and consolation races for Stafford’s weekly divisions. Saturday will wrap up with feature events for the SK Light, Limited Late Model, and DARE Stock divisions. The Sizzler continues on Sunday, May 1 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 40th 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