Preece In The Money At Stafford
STAFFORD, Conn. – In what was billed as the biggest payday in SK Modified history, Ryan Preece earned every penny of the pot.
Preece came from the rear on two different occasions Friday night at Stafford Motor Speedway in NASCAR Whelen All-American Series action to take the checkered flag and more than $12,500 in winnings in the Second Annual NAPA Auto Parks SK 5K.
The Berlin, Connecticut, native started next-to-last in the 26-car field after the distributor broke on his No. 6 J.G. Poulin Drywall Chevrolet during qualifying. He climbed to the top 10 by Lap 21, but brought out a caution two laps later when his radiator hose blew off. He restarted 20th and methodically worked his way back up through the field again.
Preece was able to move into the lead for the first time on Lap 86 after leaders Frank Ruocco and Ronnie Williams tangled. Matt Galko went to the front following the ensuing restart, but Preece took it back on Lap 90 and held off a furious charge by Justin Bonsignore and Whelen All-American Series national points leader Keith Rocco for his first SK Modified victory of the year at Stafford.
“It wasn’t easy by any means,” Preece said. “The 21 (Bonsignore) was real stout, and the 59 (Williams) was really good. Some nights it’s your night and some nights it’s not. I’ve had plenty of nights where it hasn’t been me, but I’d take this one over any race this year.”
Preece took home the base $5,000 for first place and an additional $7,500 from the NAPA SK 5K Bonus presented by Dunleavy’s Truck & Trailer Repair.
Williams rallied to finish fourth with Jeff Malave fifth. Ted Christopher, Ruocco, Jeremy Sorel, Eric Berndt and Joey Cipriano brought home the top 10.
In one of the most unique event setups in the Whelen All-American Series, the NAPA SK 5K format was determined by an online fan vote. There was a choice for distance (50, 80 or green flag 100 laps) and for how to set the starting lineup (start heads up or invert the top five, top 10 or top 15). The final element involved nine different options of how to split the NAPA SK 5K Bonus presented by Dunleavy’s Truck & Trailer Repair.
The fans ultimately chose 100 laps and an invert the top 15 qualifiers. Then Preece’s first act in Victory Lane was a blind draw among the top three results from fan balloting for the bonus, and he pulled the “winner take all” option.
There was plenty of buzz heading into the event, which debuted on the Stafford schedule in 2014. Williams, an 18-year-old from Ellington, Connecticut, spoke before the race about the opportunity to win an extra distance, big money event, which would have been a career-first on both fronts.
“Of course it would be nice to hold a $5,000 check plus the bonus – I could put it towards college – but I really just want that checkered flag,” Williams said. “I spun out on the last lap while leading last week, so I just want that checkered flag.”
Michael Gervais Jr. of Southbury, Connecticut, won one of the three SK Modified qualifying races earlier in the evening, and afterward nearly echoed Williams’ top priority. The 25-year-old was certainly excited about the potential payout, but he didn’t concede that it provided any additional motivation.
“We come into every race wanting to do good, so really it’s not all about the money, although that’s a nice bonus,” Gervais said. “It’s about the prestige of the race.”
The extra distance element also added to the anticipation for Gervais and his team.
“It’s fun to be able to do something different,” Gervais said. “The longer race is a different strategy, and it’s a lot more focused.”
Having a special event on the calendar gets the attention of car owners as well. Kelly Iverson won last year’s inaugural NAPA SK 5K with Rowan Pennink behind the wheel, and she appreciates the opportunity provided by Stafford and sponsors NAPA and Dunleavy’s Truck & Trailer Repair for putting on the race.
“It’s a real nice showcase for the SK Modifieds, Iverson said. “It’s awesome that the track started this last year. It’s a big race for everybody.
“It’s something where the modifieds can stand out even more, and it also gives an opportunity for the fans to be involved by selecting the laps and who gets the money. It’s huge.”
As the one who signs the checks, Iverson knows the impact a big payday can have for the team moving forward.
“Any winnings we earn just goes back into the car, so a big payday like this definitely helps,” Iverson said. “When it comes to things like refreshing the motor, it’s a huge bonus.”
Williams ended up with his fourth top five of the year while Gervais finished 21st and Iverson’s No. 99 with Pennink came home 16th.
Stafford’s regular Friday night program will continue on July 17 and the next special event will include the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour’s Call Before You Dig 150 on Aug. 7.
FRIDAY’S SUPPORT DIVISION FEATURE WINNERS:
Michael Bennett, Late Model (NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Div. II); D.J. Burnham, SK Light Modified (Div. III); David Arute, Limited Late Model (Div. IV); Phil Evans, DARE Stock (Div. V)
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