Kyle Spencer Moving from SK Lights to SK Modified®Division at Stafford; Looking to Win Rookie of the Year in 2012
Stafford Springs, CT — Stafford Motor Speedway's SK Modified® division has added another rookie competitor from the SK Light ranks for the upcoming 2012 season. The newest member of the 2012 SK Modified® rookie class will be Montgomery, Mass. native Kyle Spencer. Spencer is coming off a career best season in Stafford's SK Light division, with 2 wins and a career best 5th place finish in the points standings. Spencer will follow a long list of competitors who have made the move from the SK Lights to the SK Modified® division, which includes Glen Reen, Michael Gervais, Jr., Chris Matthews, Heather DesRochers, John Montesanto, Mark Bakaj, Adam Skowyra, Matt Gallo, Richie Pallai, Jr., and Joe Allegro, Jr.
"I've moved up a division almost every other year since I started racing," said Spencer. "I've been in the SK Light division for 5 years now so we felt like it was time to make the move. We're taking the same car from the Lights and we are getting a new spec engine from Tony at T/A Engines, so we're definitely looking forward to the new season."
For Spencer and his team, the 2012 season looks like the perfect time to be making the move up to the SK Modified® division. After struggling for much of his time in the SK Light division, Spencer and his #18 Montgomery Massage Therapy team seem to have found their groove during the 2011 season. Spencer scored his first two career victories at Stafford, and both wins came in spectacular fashion. Spencer's first win came after a three-wide run to the checkered flag with Tommy Barrett and Matt Galko, and his second win came in a green white checkered finish that saw Spencer outduel Galko in the outside groove to take the checkered flag first. In addition to his 2 victories this season, Spencer posted 8 top-5 and 13 top-10 finishes after posting 7 top-5 and 26 top-10 finishes in his first four seasons.
"Between wrecks and parts failures, it's been a struggle," said Spencer. "We had a Troyer chassis and we really struggled with that car. We bought our current CD car from Richie Pallai, Jr. and we really like this car. It was very satisfying for us to get a win this year, it was definitely a sense of relief. It seemed that something would always happen to us, the caution would come out, we'd get into a wreck, or we'd have someone's bumper hanging off the back of our car that would take us out of position to win. But we kept throwing stuff at the car and once we got this CD car dialed in, things were great for us. We got the first win and then we won again, so it was a nice feeling to get that monkey off our backs."
Fresh off the heels of his best season ever at Stafford, Spencer is looking to carry that positive momentum with him over to the SK Modified® division where he is hoping to win Rookie of the Year honors. But in order to do that, he must get to grips with an engine that carries more power an torque than he is used to in the SK Light division.
"We'd like to win Rookie of the Year and get a couple of top-5 finishes," said Spencer. "I'm not expecting to win, but if we could get a win, that would be really nice. Our main goal is to finish every race and get seat time and experience. We don't really have a problem with the setup, my dad is great with setting the car up, I'll just have to get used to the power. I've been at Stafford for 5 years now and I've picked up on some things like what kinds of lines guys are taking around the track and how they race with other cars around them. I don't have any experience yet with the extra power in the car, but I think once we get a couple of practice rounds under our belt, we should be ok."
In addition to racing for Rookie of the Year honors, Spencer will also be able to boast one of the most unique sponsors in the SK Modified® division. Spencer has recently completed a deal with Kershaw Knives of Oregon to sponsor his car during the 2012 season.
"We took a shot in the dark at sponsorship," said Spencer. "We had a letter written up that we sent out to about 120 different companies looking for sponsorship. The only response we got was from Chris Brooks at Kershaw. He said that they were interested in coming on board with us and they were in the process of finishing up their budget for 2012 and that he would let us know. About a week later he got back to us and let us know that they would be able to help us out with sponsorship for the 2012 season. The company is from Oregon, but you can go into any Wal-Mart and get a Kershaw Knife."
The 2012 SK Modified® season kicks off with the 41st Annual CARQUEST Tech-Net Spring Sizzler, scheduled for April 27-29, 2012. Tickets for the CARQUEST Tech-Net Spring Sizzler are available and on sale now through the SMS 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 will be priced at $42.00 for all ages. As always, Stafford Motor Speedway offers free parking with overnight parking available.
For more information on the 41st Annual CARQUEST Tech-Net 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