Frank Ruocco Looking for Third Consecutive Victory In Stafford’s CARQUEST SK 150
Stafford Springs, CT — When it comes to the CARQUEST SK 150 at Stafford Motor Speedway, no driver knows the song of success better than 2006 SK Modified® track champion Frank Ruocco. Ruocco has won the last two CARQUEST SK 150’s and he has won three out of the last four 150-lap events at Stafford. If not for Woody Pitkat coming back from 2 laps down to win the 2008 race in which Ruocco finished second, Ruocco would have four consecutive CARQUEST SK 150 victories.
“The first race I ever won at Stafford was the 150 and I’ve ran well in extra distance races at a couple other tracks,” said Ruocco. “These races are long enough where the faster cars usually make their way to the front. In some of the 40-lap races you don’t always see that. Our strategy is going to be same as it always is, we’re going to get settled into a spot early and click some laps off. Generally we have a good setup for the 150 and Stash and Steve Butova are working hard on the cars, I’ve never seen them work so hard before. Tire management and patience will be the key to the race and hopefully we’re one of the cars that will be there at the end of the race.”
Ruocco heads into the CARQUEST SK 150 without a victory to his credit in 2011. Last season, Ruocco had two wins prior to his CARQUEST SK 150 victory, but he was a distant 10th in the points standings. After winning the CARQUEST SK 150, Ruocco won once more and he finished on the podium in 5 of the final 8 races of the 2010 season to elevate himself into third place in the final points standings. Ruocco looks to continue that trend this season with a strong finish in the CARQUEST SK 150.
“To win this race would be a huge boost for the team,” said Ruocco. “To be this far into the season and not have a win is frustrating, and it’s time for us to turn that around. It’s not for a lack of effort, like I said Stash and Steve are working really hard on our cars, there’s just a couple of guys going better than us right now.”
Ruocco holds several CARQUEST SK 150 race records with most wins (3) and most laps led (388), which indicates that Ruocco has had both a good car and a good strategy for this extra distance feature event. While Ruocco employed a slightly different strategy for the Coors Light SK Modified® 100 that was held in June at Stafford, Ruocco says he will return to his tried and true methods for the CARQUEST SK 150.
“Last year for the 100-lapper I flew back from the Bahamas the day of the race and we only made half a lap before we got caught up in a wreck,” said Ruocco. “So this year we said we weren’t going to let that happen and I rode around about 75% for the first 50 laps and then went racing for the second 50-laps. We’re not going to do that for the 150, we’re probably going to start somewhere around 9th, 10th, or 11th and we just want to settle into a line and click off laps. The key is to try to not race side by side with someone for too long because that will just kill the tires. Last year, we spun early and got a lap down because I was a little impatient, so we had to race hard for the entire race, which is not exactly how you want to do it. Most guys seem to be most comfortable with their car in the bottom groove, so you try to get yourself into an odd numbered position with 50 laps to go so you’ll be on the inside for a restart. Historically it seems like we have several caution periods in the last 20 laps of the race and if you are on the outside for a restart and your tires are all used up, you can really go backwards in a hurry.”
The 8th annual CARQUEST SK 150 is scheduled for July 22nd. Tickets are priced at $25.00 for adult general admission, $5.00 for children ages 6-14 general admission, and Free for Children ages 5 & under. Reserved seating is available for $28.00 for all ages. Stafford Motor Speedway offers free parking, with overnight parking available.
For more information, or to order tickets to the 8th Annual CARQUEST SK 150, 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