Ted Christopher Wins 2017 NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Connecticut State Championship

Ted Christopher following the final SK Modified victory of his career on Sept. 10 at Thompson Speedway

With six victories this season, Ted Christopher was the driver all were chasing this year in the wins column for the SK Modified division at Stafford Motor Speedway.

In 15 starts this year at Stafford Christopher had 11 top-five finishes overall at the track.

And at Thompson Speedway Christopher also had one victory this season along with three top-three’s in seven starts.

Those statistics earned Christopher, of Plainville, a posthumous championship Thursday from NASCAR.

Christopher, who was killed in a plane crash Saturday traveling to a NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour event at Riverhead Raceway in Riverhead, N,Y., was announced Thursday as the 2017 Connecticut state champion for the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series.

Overall Christopher finished 11th in the final national standings for 2017. He was the 2001 NASCAR Whelen All-American Series champion.

In his final race Friday at Stafford Speedway, Christopher finished fourth in the 40-lap SK Modified feature. He sits second in the division’s point standings. He was trying to chase down his 10th SK Modified championship at Stafford.

Christopher’s No. 13 will be retired at Stafford Motor in a ceremony on Oct. 1 as part of the track’s NAPA Fall Final weekend.

Lee Pulliam was announced as the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series national champion Thursday. It was his fourth title.

Keith Rocco of Wallingford, who has three victories, 12 top-five’s and 19 top-10’s over 22 starts this season at Stafford and Thompson, was 15th overall nationally. Todd Owen of Somers was third in the state and 29th overall in the country with one victory, 11 top-fives and 17 top-10’s in 22 starts.