Al Stone, III Excited for Fatherhood, New Season
Al Stone, III is eager for Blastoff Weekend on March 28-30. The Durham, CT driver will pursue his third Street Stock championship (2008, 2010) at Waterford Speedbowl . Stone will also have a “very limited schedule at Thompson” in the Limited Sportsman and drive an SK Modified at all three Connecticut tracks.
Stone’s schedule will get busier in April. Stone’s wife Dannielle is expecting their first child, Dominic, in four weeks. “We are very excited,” Stone said. “The Al Stone legacy ends with me. Three of us (were) enough for the world to handle.”
Stone finished third in points last season with 2 wins, 14 top fives and 19 top 10s in 22 starts. “We expected to win more races and we wanted to run more consistent,” Stone said. “It was a good season but with the upcoming season we have built a new car. We are very optimistic.”
“I would be lying if I told you my goals were anything other than winning as many races as possible and taking home a third championship,” Stone said. “We spend a lot of time in the shop and the guys deserve to be rewarded with success.”
“My parents are (a) huge help; my wife is there every week supporting me and a few close friends that are a great hand.” Big A Auto Parts of North Branford, RH2 Way Radios, Larry’s Auto Machine, JSB Motorsports and 32 signs provide sponsorship for the #52 Street Stock.
“Everyone is tough,” Stone said. “Any Driver can win on any night. I can’t pinpoint just any one. Everyone has been on top of their game. … The division is always tough, which is why it’s the greatest show on asphalt.”
Stone is looking to run some big races in his SK Modified: the Mid Season 300 (July 5), Wings and Wheels (August 9) Thunder on the Sound SK 150 (August 30) at Waterford Speedbowl; the SK 5K at Stafford Motor Speedway on July 4 and “some other random races at Thompson and (Waterford) Speedbowl in between,” Stone said.
“We just are looking to have fun, build a notebook and be competitive,” Stone said. “The SK deal for us is just to be able to have fun from time to time with the big boys.”
Stone moved from the Street Stocks to SK Modifieds at Waterford fulltime in 2012.
“The SK was a learning experience for sure,” Stone said. “The amount of time and money you have to put in at that level is at times out of control to say the least. Having wrecked opening day in the mod and having to go out and buy another the week after really put us behind the eight ball. It was a great experience but with trying to start a family financially it just didn’t work.”
Stone returned to the Street Stocks in 2013. “It’s much more affordable and 90 percent of it we do ourselves on the car, which saves us a lot of money. I have no regrets either way. I always loved the Street Stocks but we will still have fun with the mod.”
Waterford Speedbowl is located at 1085 Hartford Turnpike in Waterford, CT. The historic 3/8 mile shoreline oval will open its 64th season with Blastoff Weekend on March 28-30. The season opener for New England, the event has two days of racing. Saturday will have features for SK Light Modifieds, Legends Cars, Bandoleros, X Cars, Super X Cars, NEMA Lites and New England Truck Series. The Valenti Modified Racing Series headline Sunday with a 100-lap feature. The Northeastern Midget Association (NEMA) will launch its 62nd season with a 25 lap feature. The SK Modifieds, Late Models, Street Stocks and Mini Stocks will also be in action.
For more information, visit Speedbowl.com or call the track office at (860) 442-1585.
Sources: Nicholas Teto/YankeeRacer.com