Ladies Challenge for Charities Race at Stafford this Weekend
Stafford Springs, CT — The NAPA Auto Parts Fall Weekend has an added twist this year. Twelve ladies will take to the track in Street Stock rides on Saturday, September 29 all in the interest of charitable giving. Thirteen different charities will reap the benefits of this special event, thanks to the hard work of these amazing ladies and car owners in the Street Stock division.
Last year it was Cassie Rocco, wife of SK Modified® driver Keith Rocco, along with Maina Rufrano, car owner and proud mom of SK Light driver Marcello Rufrano, that hit the track to raise money for charity. The pair accumulated nearly $6,000 in donations from the racing community for the American Cancer Society last year. Fast forward one year and event has grown into its own Ladies Challenge feature event in Street Stocks with over $18,000 raised to date.
The ladies will take to the track with limited racing experience. The starting order is determined by the amount of money raised. The participant that raises the greatest amount of money will be awarded the pole position for the feature event and bragging rights for such a great accomplishment.
Below are the participants with the cars they are associated with and links to each participant’s charity of choice. The current order is based on the money raised to date with Nicole LaRose in the #11 Travis Hydar Racing car with a commanding lead over by Mary Ann Gambacorta in the #23 Gambacorta Motorsports Car and Debbie DeSanctis in the #01 Johnny Wicker Walker ride. If you would like to see your favorite driver move up in the starting field, click on the link and make a donation.
| Driver | Associated Street Stock Team | Charity Link for Online Donations |
| Nicole LaRose | #11 – Travis Hydar | Catherine V. Hubbard Animal Sanctuary |
| Mary Ann Gambacorta | #23 – Vince Gambacorta | Ovarian Cancer Research Fund |
| Debbie DeSanctis | #01 – Johnny “Wicker” Walker | Honor and Remember |
| Lianna Berndt | #89 – Samantha Anderson | CT Humane Society |
| Megan Surdell | #16 – Nicole Chambrello | Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research |
| Gail McClain | #21 – Jason Lafayette | Alzheimer’s Associtation |
| Maina Rufrano | #2 – Meghan Fuller | American Cancer Society |
| Cassie Rocco | #39 – George Bessette, Jr. | Mike Tidabeck Medical Expenses |
| Elizabeth Vassar | #33 – Rent A Racecar | Ronald McDonald House |
| Tiffany Spinnato | #22 – Rent A Racecar | Disabled American Veterans |
| Shannon DiConstanzo | #78 – Mike Hopkins | American Lung Association |
| Amber Larsen | #68 – Greg DeMone | Shriner’s Children’s Hospital |
The Ladies Challenge for Charities will take the green flag on Saturday, September 29 as part of the NAPA Fall Final Weekend. Tickets for NAPA Fall Final Weekend are priced at $40.00 for adult general admission, $5.00 for children ages 6-14, and children ages 5 and under are admitted free of charge when accompanied by an adult. Reserved seat tickets are $42.00 for all ages. All ticket prices include 10% CT Admission Tax. Stafford Motor Speedway offers plenty of free parking along with overnight parking available for self-contained Recreational Vehicles. Discount tickets are available through participating NAPA stores.
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