Heather DesRochers Moving Up to SK Modified® Competition in 2011 with Help from Steve Greer & Gunsmoke Stables
Stafford Springs, CT — The 2011 SK Modified® season at Stafford Motor Speedway will see Heather DesRochers become the latest in a long list of drivers to make the transition from SK Lights into Stafford’s premier division. DesRochers has spent the past 4 seasons in the SK Light Modified ranks and will make the move up the ladder into the SK Modified® division with help from Steve Greer, who will supply DesRochers and her #24 Gunsmoke Stables team with an engine for 2011.
“I’m extremely excited about racing in the SK Modified® division this season, it’s been a lifelong dream of mine,” said DesRochers. “We had been looking at moving up to the SK Modified® division for a while now, but we weren’t sure about our financial situation with having to purchase a new engine. Out of the blue Steve Greer got in touch with us and asked if we were planning on moving up, and that if we were, he had an engine for us to use. It was very lucky for us and extremely generous of Steve to lend us an engine for the season. Steve and his wife Diana are a great family and we’re excited about working with them this year.”
While DesRochers will have a new experience with the power of the SK Modified®, she is very familiar with the chassis that she will be driving. DesRochers will also lean on her SK Light experience as she embarks on her rookie campaign in the SK Modified® division.
“We have the same car that we used in the SK Lights and we’ve been working with that car for 4 seasons, so we know the car pretty well,” said DesRochers. “I haven’t yet been in an SK®, so it will be a whole new experience for me. It’s going to be tough for sure, but the SK Light taught me the basics and gave me a lot to take forward into the SK Modified division®. I think the SK Lights are a great place for someone to get started and I’m looking forward to the challenge this year.”
While DesRochers and the Gunsmoke Stables team have their sights set on winning Rookie of the Year honors, they are also looking towards the future with using this year as a building block for a solid foundation in years to come.
“We definitely want to win Rookie of the Year,” said DesRochers. “Other than that, we just want to finish races, learn about the car, and build off of each week. The main goal for us is to get situated with the car and use this year as a foundation year for the future. A top-15 finish in the points would be a great year for us, we don’t want to get too high or too low, just take things as they come. We know it’s going to be an adventurous year for us. There is some tough competition in the SK’s®, but there were some really strong drivers in the SK Lights last year and there will be tough drivers no matter what division you race in. It’s been an exciting winter for us and we’re busy getting prepared. We’re looking for extra crew help because we will need extra help with the SK® car.”
In addition to Gunsmoke Stables of Harwinton, CT, DesRochers will also carry sponsorship from Harvey Morris of Cheshire, CT, A. Crane Construction of Chicopee, MA, Capa Di Roma Sauce/ Roma Restaurant of East Hartford, CT , Frasco Fuel Oil of West Springfield, MA, Victory Motorsports Marketing of Granby, CT, Western Mass Collision of West Springfield, MA and Basement Systems of CT.
DesRochers will make her 2011 SK Modified® debut at the season opening CARQUEST Tech-Net Spring Sizzler, which is scheduled for April 29-May 1. The SK Modifieds® will be joined by the Whelen Modified Tour as well as Stafford’s other four NASCAR Whelen All-American Series divisions. Tickets for the “Greatest Race in the History of Spring” are on sale now at the Speedway Box Office. Tickets are priced at $35.00 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 $38.00 for all ages. As always, Stafford Motor Speedway offers free parking with overnight parking available.
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