Dana DiMatteo Ready to Defend Stafford Speedway Legend Cars Track Title
Stafford Springs, CT — The 2014 season at Stafford Motor Speedway saw the return of Legend Cars to the weekly racing schedule for the first time since 1994 and Dana DiMatteo, of Farmington, became the very first Legend Cars Track Champion in Stafford’s history. DiMatteo scored podium finishes in 8 of the 11 Legend Cars features held last season, including 2 victories, and he is eager to get the 2015 season started as he looks to defend his track championship.
“Racing season is right around the corner, I’m itching and I can’t wait to get started,” said DiMatteo. “Coming back as defending champion we’re going to see if we can get Cory [DiMatteo] up front a little more than last year. He had more wins than I did at Stafford but overall I think we had the same number of wins between Stafford and Waterford. Our goal is to just finish races. Last year I think we only had one DNF and finishing races, finishing up front, and keeping the car in one piece are the keys to winning a championship. We’re aiming for the same thing this year.”
DiMatteo led all Legend Cars drivers with 9 top-5 and 11 top-10 finishes last season and his 2015 performance has the potential to be even better. DiMatteo was racing the very same car that won races at Stafford in the 1980’s and 1990’s with Jon and Justin Manafort behind the wheel. During the winter months, DiMatteo and his team have gone through the entire car and have updated many of the parts and pieces underneath the bodywork. With a season of experience on Stafford’s mini-mile already under his belt, DiMatteo could once again prove hard to beat.
“We got a ton of laps on the car last year so we’ll have something to work with unlike last year where we were starting fresh,” said DiMatteo. “We’re going to have our eyes on the prize and we’ll see what happens. The car might not look pretty but everything underneath is brand new and we also redid Cory’s car from top to bottom. We have all new geometry, new front clips, so we should be pretty good. I think we’re really going to be on our game this year.”
While the Legend Cars only competed on selected Friday nights in 2014, the 2015 schedule sees the Legend Cars as part of every Friday night race program along with the NAPA Spring Sizzler, which will begin the season on April 24-26, and the NAPA Fall Final Weekend that will end the season on Oct. 3-4. DiMatteo is relishing the opportunity to race every week and he expects the competition to be fierce as he tries to successfully defend his track championship.
“It’s awesome that we’re running every week,” said DiMatteo. “The more car count we can get the better and I’m looking forward to putting on a great show for everyone each Friday night during the season. I know there’s going to be some stiff competition this year. I know Devin O’Connell will be there every week and I’m sure there will be some good cars coming to Stafford from up north and down south so it’s going to be a dogfight for sure. We’re also working on a possible third car to run this year along with myself and my brother Cory.”
DiMatteo will begin his Legend Cars track title defense as part of the 44th Annual NAPA Auto Parts Spring Sizzler on April 24-26. Tickets for the “Greatest Race in the History of Spring” are on sale now at the Speedway Box Office. Tickets are priced at $38.50 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 is priced at $42.00 for all ages. As always, Stafford Motor Speedway offers free parking with overnight parking available. All tickets are good for both Saturday and Sunday admission. All ticket prices include 10% CT Admission Tax.
For more information on the 44th Annual NAPA Auto Parts Spring Sizzler, 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