Izzo Moving to Sunoco Modifieds at Thompson
Dylan Izzo of Monroe, CT will move the Sunoco Modifieds at Thompson (CT) Speedway Motorsports Park.
A former Legend Car champion at Waterford (CT) Speedbowl, Izzo has some sponsorship help from ” local people have given from a few thousand here and there.” The black and gold No. 04 car will use a Pettit engine. The team purchased the former No. 48 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour car that Keith Rocco drove for John Rufano last year.
“We’re going to run the full schedule there ’cause it’s perfect for our budget,” Izzo said.
The first test will be Icebreaker weekend, where the Sunoco Modifieds will have a 75 lap feature.
“The goal is not to go a lap down. It’s a long race, 75 laps, especially at Thompson. I’ve never run a race that long, so the biggest thing is hopefully I’m comfortable enough in the car and the car’s good enough to where we could just stay on the lead lap for that first race. And then the whole plan is just to get better every single week, try to every week try to gain a spot, gain two spots, pass a few cars here up until we’re a contender, which hopefully by the end of the year we’re at least mid-pack, if not a top five-top ten car.”
Izzo has received some help from Rocco, the former NASCAR Whelen All-American Series national and four-time Thompson champion.
“He’s a huge help. At Thompson last year he was winning on and off between him and (Ryan) Preece. There’s not much of a better person to be able to have us help, especially when we’re running his old car, and he’s built the motor and he’s helping us out with some spare parts and whatnot. So it’s great to have him and then I can talk to him, follow him, learn the line all that kind of stuff, so it’s been a really big help.”
Izzo intends to use Thursday practices at Waterford for to get more seat time. He may compete in a limited schedule at Waterford “to see where we stack up.” Waterford is familiar for Izzo, through “thousands of laps” at the 3/8 mile oval. “I definitely think we would do well as long as I’m comfortable in the car. It’s all about seat time.”
Izzo’s former Legends car was sold to a Seekonk team.
A student at Southern Connecticut State University, Izzo works with his father and brother’s landscaping business, Izzo’s Lawncare and Maintenance. He plans to use the extra money to help get the car on track or cover entry fees for a week. The family operation involves Izzo and his father working at the shop. His father’s friends provide help as well. “They just give money towards it and help us out as much as they can, which is really nice ’cause when we do well everybody feels accomplished like they had a big part in it.
For more information on Izzo, contact @Dizzomotorsport or Facebook.
Sources: Nicholas Teto/YankeeRacer.com