Third Generation Racer Nikki Chambrello Joins Dare Stock Class for 2014
Stafford Springs, CT — Stafford Motor Speedway’s DARE Stock division has been the starting grounds for future track champions like Woody Pitkat, Cory Casagrande, Kevin Gambacorta, Josh Wood, and Tony Membrino, Jr. This season third generation racer Nikki Chambrello will make her Stafford debut with dreams of one day joining her Uncle Pat, Jr. as a Stafford track champion.
Chambrello’s grandfather Pat, Sr. drove Street Stocks at Plainville Stadium and her Uncle Pat, Jr. is the 1981 and 1982 track champion at Stafford in the Street Stock division. Pat, Jr. also raced in the SK Modified® division at SMS from 1983-1993 with Nikki’s father Joe serving as crew chief and engine builder. As Nikki prepares to make her Stafford debut, she has a wealth of experience surrounding her that should ease her transition from quarter midgets into the DARE Stock division. In addition to Pat, Jr., Nikki has been getting advice from Ed Flemke, Jr. and Reggie Ruggiero as well as Kris Fluckiger, whose car her family purchased for the 2014 season.
“Pat is my uncle and he hasn’t given me any advice yet but I’m sure he is going to,” said Chambrello. “It’s definitely nice for me to have people around me that know what they’re doing at Stafford. We’ve also been talking with Ed Flemke and Reggie Ruggiero about some things at their shop and they’re going to be helping us with the car. We bought Kris Fluckiger’s car and he has also been helping us out with the car. It gives me confidence knowing that we have a good car and that should help me do well in the division. We’ve gone all through the car and replaced the sheet metal and a few other things and Kris has gone above and beyond to help us get the car ready for the Spring Sizzler. I’m very lucky to be surrounded by so many people who are knowledgeable, talented, and who want to help us out.”
Chambrello comes to the DARE Stock division from a background in quarter midgets. She has raced up and down the east coast at tracks like Silver City, Oak Lane, and Wall. Chambrello finished an impressive second overall this past July at the Eastern Grands National Event in North Georgia where she recorded 5 podium finishes with 1 win, 3 seconds, and one third. Chambrello is aware of the challenge that lies ahead of her in making the move up in competition from quarter midgets to the DARE Stock division, and she is reserved in her expectations for her rookie season.
“I’m very exited and I’m happy to move moving up through the ranks,” said Chambrello. “This will be my first time racing on a half-mile track and I’m not really feeling nervous, I’m ready to go. I just want to do my best and I don’t really have any big expectations yet. I’ll build my expectations as the season goes on and I think I’ll do all right once I have a couple of races under my belt. I’m hoping to place in the top-5 at least a couple of times. Being my first time in DARE Stock, I think the size of the car being bigger than the quarter midgets is going to be my biggest challenge and practice is going to be important for me.”
As Chambrello and her father Joe are busy preparing their new DARE Stock for the 2014 season, they are in sponsor search mode.
“We don’t have anything set in stone yet, but we have a couple of sponsors that are pending,” said Chambrello. “Right now we’re sponsor wanted and we’re hoping that we can find a major sponsor or two before we hit the track in April.”
Chambrello will make her Stafford Motor Speedway debut on April 25-27 as part of the 43rd Annual Spring Sizzler. Tickets for the “Greatest Race in the History of Spring” may be ordered by calling 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 $42.00 for all ages. All ticket prices include 10% CT Admission Tax.
For more information on the 43rd Annual 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