Henry Driving SK Light Modified Part-time at Stafford
Payton Henry of Willington, CT will drive the #55 SK Light Modified at Stafford Motor Speedway part-time, with his first race on May 9. He may add races at Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park.
“Going into the year knowing we’re not points racing changes my whole mentality,” Henry said. “I can be a lot less conservative each week since we’re out there to win every time we’re at the track. I don’t need to settle back and can take a few more chances out there, which is nice.”
For the first time in his career, Henry will have the same crew chief for a second season. Ernie Ruggiero, who joined midseason last year, helped improve the team’s performance. In July, Henry began a streak of six consecutive top 10s, including his first victory and three top fives. Henry finished eighth in points last season, despite not starting one race.
“Everyone has their own setup ideas and its like starting over when someone new comes to the team,” Henry said. “… Once Ernie came on, we worked at least three full days each week preparing the car and that’s what it took. The win towards the end of the year was a big break since the year hadn’t gone our way.”
Henry’s sponsors are Morrison & Johnson Automotive, NAPA of Tolland, D&D Auto Repair of Storrs, Johnson Auto Body, and Anything Printed of Willington. Team members are Ernie Ruggiero, Glen Johnson, Ray Berntsen, Bill Trapp, Jim Kervin, Bill Greene, and Barry Andrews. The team is seeking additional sponsorship.
Henry has struggled in April and May the past two seasons. “.. (It was) not the start we wanted, but once we got rolling and had everything set we were fine,” Henry said. “(It) just took too long to get back to being that top five car again.”
Henry said this is “most likely (the) last season,” with an eye on the premier SK Modified class.
Sources: Nicholas Teto/YankeeRacer.com