Rob Summers to Make 2009 SK Modified® Debut at Stafford’s 36th Annual Coors Light SK Modified® 100
Stafford Springs, CT — Stafford Speedway’s SK Modified® division will participate in their first of two extra distance events during the 2009 season this Friday night, June 5th with the 36th Annual Coors Light SK Modified® 100. Rob Summers will make his 2009 SK Modified® debut in the race, looking to reach victory lane like he did at the 2008 Spring Sizzler.
“This will be our first race in the SK car this year,” said Summers. “We didn’t get to race in the extra distance events at Stafford last year because there was a schedule conflict with the ISMA Supers. I’m really looking forward to getting back to Stafford for the 100-lapper.”
Summers has four career Whelen Modified Tour pole positions and an ISMA Supermodified victory at Stafford Motor Speedway to go along with his Sizzler SK Modified® feature win of last year. With the 36th Annual Coors Light SK Modified® 100 being an extra 60 laps above the normal Friday night feature distance, Summers looks to use his previous Stafford experience as a building block as he makes his first start of the 2009 season.
“We have a pretty good baseline for the car setup from last year,” said Summers. “Usually the SK car doesn’t change all that much, so we’ll probably tighten it up a little more than usual at the start of the race. With the race being 100 laps long, we have plenty of time to come to pit road and make adjustments to the car if we don’t hit the setup right. There’s a bit more strategy and a little more patience involved with the 100-lapper, and if we can survive the first 75 laps of the race, hopefully we can put ourselves in a position to try to win the race the last 25 laps. But it’s going to be a tough race, I’m sure that guys like Keith, Teddy, and Woody are all going to be fast and they’ve had four races under their belt already.”
Heading into the Coors Light SK Modified® 100, variety has been the theme of the 2009 SK Modified® season at SMS with 4 different winners in the first 4 events of the 2009 season. Richie Pallai, Jr., Jeff Malave, Keith Rocco, and Ted Christopher have all driven to CARQUEST Victory Lane this season.
The points chase has also been tight thus far during the 2009 season, with the top-10 drivers separated by 46 points. Ted Christopher currently leads the points standings by 14 points over Jeff Malave, with SK Modified® rookies Matt Gallo and Mark Bakaj sitting third and fourth in the standings. Woody Pitkat rounds out the top-5 in the points standings.
“A win in [the 36th Annual Coors Light SK Modified® 100] would be a huge shot of confidence for everyone on our team,” said Summers. “We’ve been struggling with our SK program and a win in a race like this would be a real big boost for everyone.”
Ted Christopher (2008), Woody Pitkat (2007), and Todd Owen (2006) have won the past three SK Modified® 100’s, and Christopher leads all drivers with 4 career victories in the 100-lap extravaganza.
Tickets for the 36th Annual Coors Light SK Modified® 100 are now on sale at the Stafford Motor Speedway Box Office. Tickets are priced at $18.00 for adult general admission tickets, $5.00 for children ages 6-14, and free for children ages 5 & under. Reserved seating is available for $20.00 for all ages.
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