Dowling Coming Home to Stafford and the SK Modifieds
Story By: SCOTT RUNNING / STAFFORD SPEEDWAY MEDIA
Photos By: DAVE DALESANDRO / RACERSGUIDE.COM
Stafford Springs, CT – December 2, 2016- After two years away from weekly competition, 2014 SK Modified® Rookie of the Year Chase Dowling will return to Stafford’s premier division in 2017 behind the wheel of the #50 Les & Tina Skowyra owned modified. Dowling has spent the last two years running on the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour after an impressive 2014 season in the SK Modified® division which etched his name in the record books as the youngest SK Modified® winner in track history.
“Adam Skowyra and I have talked over the past couple of years and it was just trying to find a sponsor,” explained Dowling. “As everyone knows S+S Asphalt Paving has been a huge part of my racing, they’ve been my backbone and I definitely wouldn’t be racing today if it weren’t for them. Adam and I talked and I took care of everything on my end and I’m really excited about coming back to my home track and to be racing weekly on Friday nights. Adam is working on building a new Troyer car and it’s going to be a blast again to be racing against guys like Ted Christopher, Keith Rocco, and Rowan Pennink.”
Dowling will have some big to shoes as he fills the #50 seat that has been driven by one of the best Stafford drivers of all-time, Woody Pitkat. The #50 team scored two wins and was a contender each week throughout the 2016 season with Pitkat behind the wheel.
“I have some pretty big shoes to fill with Woody being in that car the last couple years,” continued Dowling. “I think we can be there at the end of the season for the championship, we have everything we need with the car and the motor and we have all the pieces of the puzzle, we just have to show up every week and give our best effort.”
Dowling will have to have his A-game when he makes his SK Modified® return at the NAPA Auto Parts Spring Sizzler as the SK Modified® field is arguably the toughest weekly racing division in the country.
“Everyone knows SK Modified® racing at Stafford is some of the hardest competition around,” explained Dowling. “The only word I can use to describe the racing is competitive and you’re not going to be the best unless you beat the best and you’re racing against the best every Friday night at Stafford.”
Dowling is also excited to have another shot in the biggest SK Modified® race in the country the NAPA Auto Parts SK 5k. Chase finished 8th in the inaugural SK 5K in 2014 and turned in a strong run in the 2015 edition before being taken out in a late race incident.
“I have to thank Mark Arute and the whole Stafford team as well as NAPA Auto Parts and Doug Dunleavy for putting the money up for this race,” said Dowling. “Every racer, we’re not making money doing this and when there’s big purses on the table, everyone wants to race in that race and win. The car counts have been really good the last couple years and it’s only going to grow. It’s awesome that Doug, Mark, and everyone at Stafford puts in the effort that they do to make big races happen for us racers.”
“I also have to thank Adam for giving me the opportunity to drive the #50 car and I hope I can bring the best for him and his crew,” continued Dowling. “I get along with all of his guys and I’m looking forward to getting started. I think everything will come back to me pretty quick and we can be a top running car. We’re going to try our best to win races and the championship and I think we can come close to achieving those goals.”
