Defending SK Light Champion Tony Membrino, Jr. Moving To Stafford Speedway’s SK Modified® Division For 2014
Stafford Springs, CT — With the 2014 NASCAR Whelen All-American Series season on the horizon at Stafford Motor Speedway, the track’s premier SK Modified® division has added a new driver to its rookie class. Defending SK Light Modified track champion Tony Membrino, Jr. will be making the move up the modified ladder for the 2014 season with a new car and a new car number. Membrino and his TMR team struck a deal with Steve Greer and he will swap his familiar #44 for #79 as he prepares to make his SK Modified® debut at the Spring Sizzler on April 25-27.
“It was more or less the opportunity that fell into our lap in the last month or so that made the decision for us,” said Membrino. “Our plan was to work on getting a new chassis and run 2014 in the SK Lights and make the move up to the SK Modifieds® in 2015. What ended up happening was we made an arrangement between Steve Greer, my father, and myself to acquire the chassis from Steve that Woody Pitkat drove on the MRS tour. We’re housing the car at our shop, we’ll be running with a T/A Engine, and we’ll be working with Ed Flemke to make the transition and work together on a couple of things with the chassis. We’ve worked with Steve in the past and we’ve been friends for a while. Without the help of Steve, Ed, and John Hoffman, this deal wouldn’t have been possible. It’s pretty cool to be running the #79. Dave Salzarulo is one of the original #44 guys and he’s been running that number for the longest time so instead of trying to get that number I wanted to do something different. We discussed some different options for a new number and Ed mentioned he liked the 79 from when he raced for the Hillbilly team. Ed has been so supportive and instrumental in our success so to do something that has a link to him is pretty cool. I’m going to miss the 44, I feel like that’s where I really came into my own. But drivers go through number changes all the time so this is just part of the deal.”
In addition to making the move up the ladder into Stafford’s SK Modified® division, Membrino and his team have signed up a brand new sponsor for the 2014 season.
“We just signed a new sponsor with Check-Mate Industries,” said Membrino. “We’ve also signed Equipment Services back on board with us, and we’re hoping we can get all of our 2013 championship sponsors back on board with us as well as acquiring some new sponsors for the 2014 season.”
Membrino began his Stafford career in the track’s entry-level DARE Stock division in 2008 and after winning the track championship in 2010, he made the move into the SK Light division. Membrino spent three seasons in the SK Light division and again after winning the track championship this past season he will once again be making the move into a new division. Membrino was looking forward to defending his track championship this season but he says the offer he had on the table was an offer that he couldn’t refuse.
“I was looking forward to the idea of going for two in a row,” said Membrino. “I think we could have competed, contended for, and possibly won another championship, but as good and fulfilling as that would be it wouldn’t be doing all that much for me as far as developing as a driver. I think taking the next step and moving into the SK Modified division with the competition that is there will only benefit me. Obviously there will be hurdles to go over and obstacles to overcome, but that is all the stuff that makes any kind of race team better. Racing in the SK Modified division is something that I’ve always dreamed of doing but I never really thought I would ever be able to do it with the financial hurdles. This deal eliminates a lot of the what ifs that we had in the back of our minds about the SK division and we’re going to see what unfolds.”
While Membrino has 3 years of modified experience in the SK Lights and 6 years of overall experience racing at Stafford, he knows that he faces a learning curve in moving up to the SK Modified® division. But that learning curve is something that Membrino and his team are looking forward to tackling.
“It’s tough to get a good read on how we’re going to do,” said Membrino. “I’m not sure what level of competitive we’ll be but I’m going to give it 200% and as always everyone around me will be giving 200%. You have to walk before you run and I’m not expecting to go out and set the world on fire but I am here to learn and win. I go to the track to win, that’s what I want to do and that’s what I like doing, so we’re going to do everything we can to make that happen. If we can run in the top-10, that would be a successful year on our part. Any top-5 finishes would be incredible, top-3 finishes would be great, and if we could win, I could die a happy man after that. SK Modifieds® at Stafford in regards to weekly racing around the country is the cream of the crop. If you can run up front consistently and beat the guys that are there, you’re really on top of your game. I’d love to be able to do that, but it’s going to be a learning process and I’m looking forward to the task.”
One area where Membrino should benefit in making the move up to the SK Modified® division is he will now have 40-laps to get to the front of the pack where he was used to only half that distance in the SK Lights. The longer race distance will also have Membrino and his crew searching for an optimal car setup that will last for 40 laps rather than the customary 20 laps.
“I’m actually looking forward to it because there were a lot of races where we thought, ‘If only we had 5 more laps’ and now we’ll have 20 more laps,” said Membrino. “It will definitely be an experience and something that I’ll have to get used to. It will make things more interesting. Every time Steve and Woody ran that car, they ran well so I think the car has a good basic fundamental setup and it should be a great starting point for us to work with. I’m sure my driving style is different from Woody’s driving style so I’m sure we’ll have some things to tweak on the car.”
Membrino will kick off his rookie season in the SK Modified® division at the 43rd Annual Spring Sizzler on April 25-27. 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