CARQUEST Champions for Charities Driver Spotlight: Richie Pallai, Jr.
Stafford Springs, CT — The CARQUEST Extreme Tuesday Champions for Charities Event at Stafford Motor Speedway scheduled for June 28th is building in momentum and excitement as the drivers gear up to raise funds for their respective charities. The impressive field of open wheeled division champion drivers represents over 50 championships among 14 drivers. This week’s driver spotlight falls on Richie Pallai, Jr., the 2009 Spring Sizzler SK Modified® Champion, who will be racing to help support The Danbury Animal Welfare Society.
The Danbury Animal Welfare Society is a non-profit, volunteer-run organization dedicated to improving the lives of animals in our community and beyond. They promote responsible pet guardianship and the humane treatment of animals, and work toward ending animal overpopulation through education and a variety of programs. Danbury Animal Welfare Society gives shelter and care for homeless companion animals while they wait for people like you to give them a loving, forever home.
“I have a personal love of animals,” said Pallai. “I hate to see animals harmed, especially if they have to be euthanized because they have no place to live or someone to care for them. I wanted to be able to help the cause and make sure animals have food and shelter, so we decided to partner up with D.A.W.S.”
In only a short period of time, Pallai has garnered quite the racing resume for himself. Pallai began his racing career in Stafford’s SK Light Modfied division, driving a car owned by Jack Arute, Jr. in 2006. Pallai won in his fifth start in the SK Light car and he nearly won the championship, losing out to Shelly Perry by a mere 2 points in the final points rundown. After his SK Light Modified experience, Pallai made the move up the ladder into SK Modified® competition at Stafford and he finished his rookie season with 7 top-10 finishes, narrowly missing out on winning Rookie of the Year honors. The 2008 season saw Pallai record his first career top-5 finish in the SK Modified® division, and in 2009 he scored his first career victory in the 40-lap race during the CARQUEST Tech-Net Spring Sizzler Weekend. The 2010 season saw Pallai make the move into the Whelen Modified Tour, where he was the highest finishing rookie driver in the final points standings in 12th place. Pallai will have a new experience as he gets behind the wheel of a Senior Outlaw Wild Thing Kart, and he is also looking forward to being able to race against his mentor, 5-time SK Modified champion Bob Potter.
“I’ve never driven a kart before, I’m really looking forward to it,” said Pallai. “I’m looking to come down to Stafford on a Monday night and try a kart out if there is a car owner who would be willing to let me take the kart out for practice. I’m looking forward to racing with Bob Potter. Bob has been helping me out since I got started racing and he helps us out at the shop and at the track. This race is all for charity, which is the most important thing, and I’m looking forward to raising some money for D.A.W.S.”
The starting lineups for the CARQUEST Champions For Charities qualifying races will be determined by how much money each driver raises for their selected charity. The starting grid will be set with the drivers who have raised the most money starting up front. Fans are encouraged to get involved in the event by donating to their favorite driver or favorite charity. To make a donation to the The Danbury Animal Welfare Society on behalf of Richie Pallai, Jr., and for more information on the event, please refer to the CARQUEST Champions for Charities donation page located at www.staffordspeedway.com. Stay tuned to www.staffordspeedway.com for more driver spotlights and exciting information regarding the CARQUEST Champions for Charities event.
CARQUEST Extreme Tuesday will take place on June 28, 2011 and will also feature the ISMA Super Modifieds, NEMA Midgets, and Pro-4 Modifieds. Tickets for CARQUEST Extreme Tuesday are on sale now at the Speedway Box Office and are priced at $30.00 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 $32.00 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