Stafford Speedway’s Late Models Ready to Take Center Stage for 60-Lap Xtra Mart Xtra D Feature on Friday, August 1
Stafford Springs, CT — Stafford Speedway’s Late Model division will take center stage on Friday, August 1st as they partake in their 60-lap Xtra Mart Xtra D feature event. There will be plenty of money on the line for Late Model drivers and teams as the race will not only feature a purse of over $6,000, but there will be $1,000 in bonus money up for grabs from Xtra Mart Convenience Stores. Each of the top-5 finishers will each receive a $200 bonus from Xtra Mart and the race will pay $1,125 to the race winner.
There are several long distance aces that will be taking the green flag as part of the Late Model field. Current Late Model points leader Jay Stuart has a 100-lap and a 150-lap win at Stafford to his credit; J.J. Hill has a 100-lap and a 40-lap Xtra D feature win to his name; Jim Peterson has twice won 100-lap Late Model features;, and defending track champion Adam Gray is also the defending Late Model Xtra D race winner although the race was 35 laps last season instead of 60.
Stuart has been at the top of the Late Model standings every week this season thanks to a victory in the season opening NAPA Spring Sizzler and 6 top-4 finishes thusfar during the 2014 season. Stuart’s worst finish has been a fourth on May 2nd, meaning that he has been a podium finisher for 5 of the first 6 races this season. With the exception of a 15th place finish on June 6th, Gray has been just as good as Stuart on track. Gray has won twice this season and he has four podium finishes this season. While Gray won last year’s Late Model Xtra D feature, Stuart finished third and both drivers had to come from the back as Gray started 12th and Stuart started 13th.
“Until last year I had never had good luck in the extra distance race,” said Gray. “We’re hoping that we can repeat our performance from last year. We lost some momentum earlier this year for a couple of weeks, but we’ve had some good finishes under our belts going into the 60-lapper and we’ll see what we can do in that race. Racing is not a cheap sport by any means so whenever we can get these type of shows with the big money and the bonus money from Xtra Mart, it helps everyone.”
“I think my car stays pretty consistent for the long runs,” said Stuart. “That race is all about taking care of the car early on and not using up your equipment. 60-laps isn’t that long of a race and I have a good feeling about the race as long as the car stays together. There’s a lot of guys who run good in the Late Model division so it’s going to be a tough race.”
The Late Model Xtra Mart Xtra D event will get underway at 6:15pm with qualifying heats and the main event feature events will begin around 7:00. Tickets for the Aug. 1 Late Model 60 Xtra Mart Xtra D are priced at $20.00 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 priced at $23.00 for all ages. All ticket prices include 10% CT Admission Tax and Stafford Motor Speedway offers free parking with overnight parking available.
For more information on the Late Model Xtra Mart Xtra D 60, please 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