(Press Release from Stafford Motor Speedway)
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The 2018 Street Stock season at Stafford saw second generation racer 16-year old George Bessette, Jr. outlast another second generation driver in Meghan Fuller to win the championship.
Here we take a look at the drivers who will be challenging for the Street Stock championship in 2019.
The Rundown – Street Stocks
Favorites
#39 George Bessette Jr – The defending champion is coming off a 5-win season that saw the points battle go down to the wire. This team has all the same components as their championship season. This is the team to beat.
#2 Meg Fuller – After a highly successful rookie campaign at Stafford in 2018, Fuller, daughter of Modified great Rick Fuller, returns to Stafford as a championship contender. Consistency was key for the #2 team in 2018 with 19 top 10 finishes in 21 starts. Expect this group to grab more than 1 trophy in 2019.
#16 Nicole Chambrello – 2018 was a breakout year for Chambrello who has been competing at Stafford since 2015. Two wins last season doubled her career win total to 4. The #16 team will be a factor week in and week out.
#74 Brandon Michael – This driver led the points standings for nearly the entire season but ended up 3rd in the final standings. The Granville, MA driver will 100% be a championship contender again if he chooses to run the full season.
Ones to Watch
#29 Tess Beyer – Two wins and 4 top 5’s in 15 starts has this Vermont driver loaded with confidence entering the new season. Fast cars and a confident driver could lead to multiple wins this season.
#11 Travis Hydar – Looking to bounce out of the sophomore slump, Hydar enters his 3rd season looking for the success he knows he’s capable of. With 2 career wins to his name this Woodbury, CT native know how to get to Victory Lane.
#01 Johnny Walker – No need to describe why this guy is a contender. The 2-time champion is a factor whenever he enters the paddock. If he chooses to run a full season, he will be a championship contender as well.
#21 Jason Lafayette – 1 career win for this smooth driver from Somers, CT. The #21 car showed speed all last season, expect a win or two from this team.
#78 Mike Hopkins – This driver won the big money show last season grabbing a $500 payday in the Casagrande Builders Street Stock 25. He backed up that win with a second mid-summer. If this team runs a full season, bump them up to the favorites category.
New Faces
#19 – Adrien Paradis – Moving from the Waterford Speedbowl, Paradis is making the move to the big half-mile at Stafford. It may take a few weeks to get the handle on the #19 car but this team could impress.
#75 Ryan Waterman – Coming from the high-banks of Thompson Speedway, Waterman is set to run more events at Stafford in 2019. Making 1 start in 2018, Waterman almost won the feature driving Nick Bendiak’s #31 car.
#55 Steve Kenneway – Another driver moving from Thompson to Stafford in 2019, Kenneway had a strong run going at the NAPA Fall Final before being sidelined. This team could contend for wins throughout 2018
Bottom Line
Another division full of competition in 2019. 10 different drivers scored a victory last season, expect more of the same this season. The championship chase will depend on which drivers choose to run the full season. Also new for 2019 the RSMPCO.com Triple Crown, a 3-race points chase with a $4,500 point fund.
2018 Street Stock Final Points Standings
As the LLM’s fade into oblivion the Streets are now a large part of the reason to attend the races as they get stronger and more competitive.
No longer is it assured the Wicker will show or when he shows if he can win. Fuller has a dedicated Stafford car that likely has been refreshed to the max and with one year of experience she could be dominant on some nights. Chambrello has a new engine this year after winning with a tired one so look out.
All credit to Stafford for throwing move money at the division and giving them more prestige events and goals to attain during the year. Welcome to the Waterford invaders who we all know will be really tough if they decide to stick it out for the season.
Now if they’d just allow station wagons they’d really have something.