Jeff Malave Set for Return to Stafford Speedway’s SK Modified® Division
Stafford Springs, CT — In what is already regarded as one of the best fields of short track racers in the entire country, Stafford Speedway’s SK Modified® division will welcome a former feature winner back to its ranks this Friday night when Jeff Malave makes his 2015 season debut behind the wheel of his #23 Soundwood Builders Chevy. Malave won 7 SK Modified® features between the 1999-2009 seasons and during that time he posted seven top-10 finishes in the points standings. Although Malave has made a few starts in the Valenti Modified Racing Series, he is excited about making his first SK Modified® start at Stafford since midway through the 2011 season.
“I really missed being part of weekly racing at Stafford,” said Malave. “I have been sitting in the stands and watching everyone have fun out on the track and the competition is just fantastic. I’m hoping to come back out and have some fun. The main goal is to be able to have some racing fun again and we’re going to work on getting the car into victory lane. The competition is pretty stiff right now in the SK’s and we might be a little rusty, but we’re going to give it our best shot. I’m very exited to be racing at Stafford once again. It’s the premier track in the northeast and we hope we can be competitive.”
Malave shouldn’t find it too hard to find some speed upon his return as he has both a personal knowledge of the track and his car has championship pedigree at Stafford. Malave purchased the former #28 car that Zach Aszklar piloted to an SK Light championship in 2012 and he has his 7 career wins and over 15 years of SK Modified® experience to rely on.
“We’ve been busy trying to get the car together,” said Malave. “We bought it from Zach Aszklar and we’ve been going all through the car. I talked to Mike Paquette from CD about the car and it’s a good car and it actually just came off the jig at CD. We have a good motor from Tony at T/A Engines, and I can’t wait to get back. I’ve missed it and I’ve always enjoyed racing at Stafford.”
Malave will return to Stafford for a primetime event as this Friday night is a 45-lap Xtra Mart Xtra D Event where the top-5 finishers will evenly split a $1,500 bonus from Xtra Mart Convenience Stores. Tickets for this Friday night’s SK Modified® Xtra D / Summer Blast-Off program are available and on sale now. Tickets are priced at $17.50 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 $20.00 for all ages. As always, Stafford Motor Speedway offers free parking with overnight parking available. All ticket prices include 10% CT Admission Tax.
For more information, 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