Ltd. Late Model Track Champion Kevin Gambacorta Moving to Late Model Division at Stafford in 2012
Stafford Springs, CT — After winning his second Limited Late Model track championship this past season, Kevin Gambacorta will make the move up the ladder from the Limited Late Model division to the Late Model division and run for Rookie of the Year honors. The championship for Gambacorta this season was the third overall track title he has claimed at Stafford and he will begin a quest for a track championship in a third different division after purchasing the #64 Late Model that Michael Bennett has piloted to 5 victories and three top-6 points finishes.
"It was time for us to move up," said Gambacorta. "There are a lot of changes for the Limited Late Model division this season, so I figured if I was going to spend the money to change the car, I might as well spend that money on a Late Model car. We bought the 64 from Michael Bennett, it's a rolling chassis with a lot of new parts on it, suspension, brakes, shocks, and it has a new clip, and Dave Miller from Auto Machine has an engine ready to go for us, so we're excited about the season."
Gambacorta has 8 career wins in the Limited Late Model division, 3 career wins in the DARE Stock division, and three track titles at Stafford, but he knows he faces a new learning curve as he moves into the Late Model division in 2012.
"I know I'm probably getting in a little bit over my head, but I think that we can be decent this year," said Gambacorta. "We have good equipment to start the year off with and the goal for us is to win Rookie of the Year. I know that I probably won't be able to run with some of the Late Model guys right away, but I don't see any reason why we can't finish some races in the top-10 and be a top-10 car at the end of the year."
The 2012 season will be the first time that Gambacorta will sit behind the wheel of a Late Model car and he has plans to take advantage of the CARQUEST Tech-Net Spring Sizzler Dress Rehearsal practice session one week prior to the Sizzler. And if Gambacorta has any issues, he can always consult with Bennett, who made the same move in going from the Limited Late Model division to the Late Model division in 2006.
"We're definitely going to be taking advantage of all the practice time we can get," said Gambacorta. "With the Limited, we normally went out for a round and then sat out a round or two before going back out. We'll be on the track every chance we can get with the Late Model. Our plan is to start with a baseline setup from the Limited and then adjust on the car from there. Michael told us that it wasn't' really all that different between the two cars, we'll just have to get used to all the extra things on the car that we can adjust for the handling. And I'll have to get used to having a spotter in my ear for the entire race."
Gambacorta will once again carry sponsorship from Rafferty Fine Grading with his #32 Late Model and he says that he is in need of crew members for his rookie campaign.
"I talked with Kurt and Rhonda [Rafferty] before we went to look at the car, and they were behind me all the way," said Gambacorta. "My biggest worry this year is getting some crew help and not driving the car. With the Limited, I was able to do pretty much everything myself, but we'll need some crew help with the Late Model. I'm sure that there will be some other guys moving up to the Late Model class this year, so we're excited about the season and we'll look forward to racing with the other rookies for the Rookie of the Year title."
Gambacorta will make his Late Model debut at the 41st Annual CARQUEST Tech-Net Spring Sizzler, scheduled for April 27-29, 2012. The 41st Annual CARQUEST Tech-Net Spring Sizzler gets underway Friday, April 27 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 28 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, April 29 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 CARQUEST Tech-Net Spring Sizzler are available and on sale now through the SMS Box Office. Tickets are priced at $38.50 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 will be priced at $42.00 for all ages. As always, Stafford Motor Speedway offers free parking with overnight parking available.
For more information on the 41st 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