Todd Owen Looking to Get Valenti Modified Racing Series Season Turned Around in MRS 80 at Stafford Speedway
Stafford Springs, CT — For Stafford SK Modified® regular Todd Owen, the 2013 Valenti Modified Racing Series season hasn’t gotten off to the best of starts. In the first three races of the 2013 VMRS season, Owen has been plagued by mechanical issues and a wreck that have him sitting in 21st place in the points standings heading into the June 21 Valenti Modified Racing Series 80 at Stafford. But if there is one track where Owen can get his 2013 season turned around for the better, it’s Stafford.
In 2011, Owen finished second and had a top-5 run going before a loss of power steering forced him to retire, and last season saw Owen collect another top-5 finish in Jack Bateman’s #17 Jack’s Competition Engines / JRB Coach Lines machine.
“The first two races we had some mechanical issues and we got caught up in a wreck in the second race,” said Owen. “It hasn’t been a good year so far, but it’s not for a lack of effort or trying, things just haven’t worked out for us. The guys went all through the car this winter and we’ve just had a couple of silly problems. The car has good stuff on it, our luck has just been unbelievable so far. At Seekonk we finished and the car ran the whole race, which is a plus. Coming to Stafford, being comfortable with the track, I’m looking forward to it. I’m not saying we’re going to win, but hopefully we’ll have a good solid day. I’ve been looking forward to Stafford all year long and the team is looking forward to it too because they know Stafford is one of my better tracks.”
Momentum in racing can often be derived from just one single good effort on the racetrack and Owen is hoping that a good run at Stafford can give he and his team the momentum boost they need for the remainder of the 2013 VMRS schedule.
“A good run at Stafford would be huge,” said Owen. “We had high expectations for the season and we’ve had a tough start. Hopefully the Stafford race will turn our season around and when I heard there was going to be 3 races at Stafford this season, I was real happy about that. I don’t want to put a lot of pressure on it, but in my own mind we need to have a good night.”
Owen will be pulling double duty on the night of the Valenti Modified Racing Series 80, driving his #81 Cooker Construction SK Modified® as well as the #17 VMRS car. Owen has enjoyed a good season thusfar with his SK Modified®, finishing second in the season opening CARQUEST Tech-Net Spring Sizzler. Owen has backed up that second place finish with two more top-10 efforts in the first four races of the season, and he feels like a win is just around the corner.
“We’ve been right there and I think we’ll have a good chance at winning a race this year,” said Owen. “We’ve been pretty good, we’re consistently in the top-5 so far this year. The car has been quick and we’re happy with it. As long as you’re in the top-5 and in the hunt, you have a better chance than if you’re running 10th.”
Tickets for the June 21st Valenti Modified Racing Series 80 are available and on sale now at the Speedway Box Office. Tickets are priced at $27.50 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 $30.00 for all ages. All ticket prices include 10% CT Admission Tax.
For more information on the VMRS 80, 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