On this week’s edition of Unmuffled we caught up with seven-time NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour champion Mike Stefanik.
Stefanik talked about retirement, his cutting ties from racing, the thought of racing again, getting his pilot’s license, his plane, the state of Modified racing and short track racing, what type of racing he keeps up with, Ted Christopher, Ryan Preece and much more.
Stefanik on his Ultralight plane:
“I’m not one to sit on the porch and I do like a little bit of thrill. I’m a little thrill seeker. … I can’t wipe the smile off my face every time I go fly that thing. I call it a flying lawn chair. But it’s actually a pretty cool little airplane.”
Stefanik on his relationship with the late Ted Christopher:
“Teddy had all the skills to do it with finesse, but just chose not to maybe maximize – at times – his skill. He was obviously super-talented and he could obviously get out of wrecks in situations. Always was there, always tough, always one of the guys you had to beat. And we rubbed a lot of wheels and when you do that I think you just, you’re not going to walk away very friendly to each other, and we just weren’t.”
We also caught up with newly crowned New London-Waterford Speedbowl SK Light Modified champion Jon Puleo.
Said Puleo: “We never even thought we would get a win. To win a championship is just amazing. It was kind of very surprising to all of us.”
Also on the show was Todd Owen, who closed out the Connecticut short track racing season with a third place in the SK Modified finale at Stafford Speedway, a win in the SK Modified finale at Thompson Speedway and a win in the SK Modified finale at the New London-Waterford Speedbowl, and mixing in a Valenti Modified Racing Series victory at Thompson to go with all that.
Said Owen: “It’s one of the best streaks I think I’ve ever had in my racing career. Especially to end the year like that, definitely gives everybody in the shop – including myself – a high enthusiasm for next year.”
Episode 36 of Unmuffled is presented by our Patreon marketing partners from RH2Way Radios, Swanson Buick/GMC, LifeCare Family Chiropractic, SAFCO Foam, Mid-State Site Development, Draco Racing Springs, Dunleavy’s Truck & Trailer Repair, Mike Smeriglio III CPA, Independent Wheel, Falmouth Ready Mix, Wheelers Auto, Rent A Race Car New England, Four Seasons By The Lake, Sign Pro, North End Auto Parts, New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Stafford Motor Speedway and Thompson Speedway.
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