New Engine has Danny Cates Looking Forward to Shark Cycle 80 at Stafford Speedway
Stafford Springs, CT — After making his Valenti Modified Racing Series debut earlier this season at Stafford Motor Speedway, SK Modified® regular Danny Cates is looking forward to returning to Stafford. His VMRS debut wasn’t quite the race that Cates was looking for as he finished 17th, but a new engine in the #8 owned by Gary Alender has Cates looking forward to a return trip to SMS for the Shark Cycle 80 this Friday night.
“I’m looking forward to the race,” said Cates. “We’re working on getting the car better every week and we have a new motor in the car, so hopefully it will go a little better and we’ll make a little more progress. We’re a new team and we’re still working out the bugs and hopefully after a few more races we’ll get things together.”
Although Cates was looking for a better finish than 17th in his June VMRS debut, he was able to learn several things that should help him improve on that 17th place finish. One key factor for Cates will be qualifying through his heat race to avoid racing in the consi and putting more laps on his tires before the race starts.
“The tire management is a pretty big deal compared to the SK car and there’s a few things we learned that should help us this week,” said Cates. “I thought it was going to be a big adjustment, but the only difference really was being comfortable in the car. I have my SK car the way I like it and the MRS is not exactly like my car as far as getting the belts and all that situated. Power wise and driving wise the two cars are pretty similar. We’re going to see how the new motor works and try to make it to the end of the race. Our main goal will be to qualify for the feature through the heat race so we don’t have to go through the consi again and we can save the tires a bit. I think we’d be real happy with a top-10 finish.”
Cates will be one of 7 Stafford SK Modified® regulars in the Shark Cycle 80 field, joining Ted Christopher, Todd Owen, Rowan Pennink, Ryan Preece, Keith Rocco, and Tom Bolles. Cates is currently fifth in the SK Modified® standings at Stafford and after a heavy crash last week, he and his crew have his #26 Lindon Tree Service car repaired and ready for action as he chases after his second win of the 2013 season.
“We’re ready to go, the car is almost finished up,” said Cates. “Our sponsor Lindon Tree Service came through with some money so we could fix the car back up. We brought the car to Northeast RaceCars and it needed a new front clip and a bunch of new parts but she’s all back together. I’m really happy with the car and it seems to be getting better and better every week. The competition is tough at Stafford and it’s not easy to get a win other than Ryan [Preece], he seems to have no problem winning this year. I’d be real happy with another win and I think we’re capable of getting another win, we just need a little luck. We have a fresh T/A Engine and the car is all redone so we have no excuses. We’re looking for at least top-5 finishes the rest of the year. Ending the season on a high note will be a big morale booster for everyone on the team to get the ready during the winter for next season.”
Tickets for the August 30th Shark Cycle 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 Shark Cycle 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