Chase Dowling Ready to Make Move from Legends Car into Stafford’s SK Light Modified Division for 2013 Season
Stafford Springs, CT — Stafford Speedway’s SK Light Modified division will welcome 15-year old Chase Dowling as its newest SPAFCO Rookie of the Year challenger when the 2013 season kicks off at the 42nd Annual CARQUEST Tech-Net Spring Sizzler, set for April 26-28, 2013. Dowling won the 2012 Summer Shoot-Out championship racing his Legends car at Charlotte Motor Speedway after finishing 7th in the 2011 Summer Shoot-Out at CMS. Dowling began his racing career at age 4 and in addition to his Summer Shoot-Out championship, he has 4 WKA National Championships to his record. The 2013 season will be Dowling’s first foray into the open wheel modified ranks and he is looking forward to the opportunity as well as a lot shorter trip from Roxbury to Stafford than Roxbury to Charlotte.
“We thought that the SK Light division at Stafford would be a good opportunity for us and our sponsors, S+S Asphalt Paving and All About You Homecare Services, liked the idea of racing at Stafford,” said Dowling. “This is going to be my first experience in a modified and I’m exited about the opportunity and I’m looking forward to getting started in the SK Light division at Stafford. We should have a big advantage now with only an hour and a half drive each way rather than a 12 hour drive each way to Charlotte.”
Dowling and his team bought the #57 car that was formerly driven at Stafford by Rick Burwood and they are busy going through the car in preparation for their rookie season.
“We bought Rick Burwood’s car and we’re pretty busy going through the car and redoing it,” said Dowling. “I think we have a pretty good car, we’re going to get a good motor from T/A Engines, and we have some help from CD Chassis, so we’re looking forward to getting started.”
Last season, the SK Light division at Stafford saw three rookie competitors in Joey Ferrigno, Tyler Hines, and Ronnie Williams all make trips to CARQUEST Victory Lane. With everything seemingly in place for Dowling and his team, he has his sights set on joining Ferrigno, Hines, and Williams as rookie winners this season.
“Our goal for the season is to win Rookie of the Year, and get a win or two,” said Dowling. “With how well the rookies did last year, it seems like we have a good chance at getting a win for ourselves this season.”
Dowling will campaign the number 15 car after racing the number 48 in Legends competition for a connection to Jimmie Johnson through his car owner.
“My Legends car owner was the right rear tire changer on Jimmie Johnson’s car and now he works for Ty Dillon’s truck team,” said Dowling. “I ran 48 in the Legends because of that, but my birthday is on the 15th, so we’re going to run 15 on the SK Light for 2013.”
The 2013 season will kick off for Dowling and the SK Light Modifieds at Stafford with the 42nd Annual CARQUEST Tech-Net Spring Sizzler on April 26-28, 2013. Tickets for the “Greatest Race in the History of Spring” may be ordered by calling the Speedway 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 is $42.00 for all ages. All ticket prices include 10% CT Admission Tax.
For more information on the 42nd 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