Modified Touring Series Event Replaces TSI 150 WMT Race
Story By: SCOTT RUNNING / STAFFORD SPEEDWAY MEDIA
Photos By: DICK AYERS / RACERSGUIDE.COM
Stafford Springs, CT- November 18, 2016—With just over 5 months until the 2017 season kicks off at the 46th Annual NAPA Auto Parts Spring Sizzler, Stafford Speedway is proud to announce the 22 event 2017 schedule.
“We are excited about the 2017 season, we have our marquee events and have added 4 new shows to the schedule,” explained Stafford COO/GM Mark Arute. “Stafford’s key focus remains to have a strong weekly program for the fans and race teams, we believe that is the backbone of short track racing.”
The 2017 race season will begin at the 46th Annual NAPA Auto Parts Spring Sizzler Weekend, April 29th & 30th. Doug Coby, the 2016 Whelen Modified Tour Champion, will look to defend his crown in the Whelen Modified Tour NAPA Spring Sizzler 200. The two-day event is highlighted by the NAPA Auto Parts Pit Party where fans have the opportunity to meet their favorite drivers prior to racing on Sunday.
Following the NAPA Spring Sizzler, Stafford racing gets back to its weekly regiment beginning with the return of BFF night on May 5th and the Late Model 50 on May 12th. The Valenti Modified Racing Series hits the half-mile May 19th for their annual early season Connecticut stop and the series will make one additional Stafford stop on September 1st for another 80 lap feature.
Doug Dunleavy and Dunleavy’s Truck and Trailer Repair has joined the schedule with a new Memorial Day Weekend event. Dunleavy’s Truck and Trailer Repair Modified Big Money Event plus Military Appreciation Night is scheduled for May 26th. Both the SK Modified® and SK Light Modifieds will have special events with details to be announced within the coming weeks. The night will be capped off with a fireworks display to honor all those who have served our country.
“No one has ever paid an SK Light purse this big. Doug’s excited, we’re excited, that night is going to be fun,” explained Arute.
The month of June will play host to two new events at Stafford. June 2nd will be the first of two Stafford stops for the exciting new Modified Touring Series with the second MTS event being held Friday July 21st.
“Our team has been working with Gary Knight of the Modified Touring Series for a few months now and we really like the series he is pulling together,” said Arute. “We were impressed by his execution of the Winchester 200 last year at Monadnock and are looking forward to the Modified Touring Series Stafford debut on Friday June 2nd.”
June will also play host to the ISMA Supermodified’s return to the half-mile. The fastest short track cars in the country will go 60 laps and be accompanied by Stafford’s five weekly divisions.
Friday, July 7th will see the biggest SK Modified® event in the country, the NAPA Auto Parts SK 5K, take place. Since the inaugural event in 2014 the NAPA SK 5K has seen 3 different winners and has paid over $120k in purse money. 2017 will be no exception, this is the event all SK Modified® drivers want to win.
“The NAPA SK 5K is a fan favorite and one of my favorite events,” continued Arute. “We thank NAPA for their support of this event as it has become a highlight of our schedule for the last few years.”
The Whelen Modified Tour makes its second of three stops at Stafford on Friday August 4th for the 27th Annual Stafford 150. The final NWMT stop comes with NAPA Auto Parts Fall Final Weekend on Sept. 30th-Oct. 1st where all 5 of Stafford’s 2017 track champions will be crowned.
Stay tuned to StaffordSpeedway.com and social media in the coming weeks for more information on the 2017 schedule.
2017 Season Ticket Packages are now available and on sale now through www.staffordspeedway.com. Visit the site and click on the BUY TICKETS link to purchase your 2017 season ticket today.
Napablue2017 Schedule Highlights
•3 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Events (4/30, 8/4, 10/1)
•2 Valenti Modified Racing Series Events (5/19, 9/1)
•2 Modified Touring Series Events (6/2, 7/21)
•1 ISMA Super Modified Event (6/23)
•NAPA Auto Parts SK 5K (7/7)
•Dunleavy Truck & Trailer Modified Night (5/26)
•Late Model 50 (5/12)
•Mr. Rooter Truck Series (4/29, 9/30)
