Cory Casagrande Ready to Tackle Limited Late Model Division at Stafford with Shark Cycle as New Sponsor in 2012
Stafford Springs, CT — As Stafford native Cory Casagrande gives chase to the Limited Late Model championship this season at Stafford Motor Speedway, he will have a new primary sponsor on his car with Shark Cycle. Casagrande won three races in his rookie season of Limited Late Model competition last season, and the new sponsorship from Shark Cycle might just be the extra ingredient that Casagrande needs to challenge for the championship this season.
“Everyone needs help and this sponsorship is good for us,” said Casagrande. “One of my sponsors, Andresen Overhead Doors, is good friends with Bob Charland from Shark Cycle, and we got to talking at the end of last season. Everything came together for this year and you need as much help as you can get throughout the season. Gas and tires alone is over $100 per week and no matter how much sponsorship you have, it always seems like it’s not enough as you get closer to the end of the year.”
In only 2 short seasons, Casagrande has firmly established himself as a race winner and viable championship contender. In his first season of DARE Stock competition in 2010, Casagrande won 3 races and he finished 5th in the points standings. Last year saw Casagrande move up to the Limited Late Model division and he again won 3 races and finished the season 7th in points despite missing a race. With such a history in only a short period of time, Casagrande is looking to build upon that success and challenge for the championship this season.
“I think we should be up there this year,” said Casagrande. “I think we’ve lost about a tenth or two out of where we were with the car last year, but I’m sure we’ll find that time back as the season goes on. We’re hoping to get more wins that we had last year and make a run at the championship this year. We got the issues we had with the transmission sorted out, I figured out my shifting problems, and everything on the car is the best, so there is no reason why we shouldn’t win races this year. It’s all up to me, if the car isn’t winning, then I’m doing something wrong. If things work out for us, I definitely think we can be contenders this year.”
While Casagrande was one of the drivers to look out for each week last season, he will have to contend with several newcomers this season as well as several returning drivers as he tries to claim a track championship.
“The main goal for us this year is the championship,” said Casagrande. “I think at the end of last year we were one of the fastest cars in the division along with Shawn Thibeault, D.J. Burnham, and George Nocera, Jr. Shawn and George have moved up, but D.J. will be back and I think guys like David Arute and Josh Wood will adapt to the division pretty quickly, so who knows what will happen this year. With the new rules, everyone has pretty much the same engine and everyone has to run the same gear, so I think the racing this year will be like what you see in the SK Lights. I have a great crew with Shawn Hosey, Rick Casagrande, Derek Beebe, Albert Royce, and Andre Nowzari and I have great support from Shark Cycle, Andresen Overhead Doors, Casagrande Builders, BFR Chassis, R.A.D. Automachine, B.A. Muzio, Magnus, and BMR Competition Tranny’s and Rears, so we’re excited about getting started this year.”
The 2012 Limited Late Model season will kick off with the 41st Annual CARQUEST Tech-Net Spring Sizzler on April 27-29. 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. All ticket prices include 10% CT Admission Tax. 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