On Tap: Tour Time Around The State

If it’s Touring Modified divisions one is looking for this weekend, Connecticut is the place to be.

The Valenti Modified Racing Series makes the first of its three trips to Stafford Motor Speedway Friday and will run an 80-lap feature event.

On Saturday the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour returns to the Waterford for that division’s lone visit to the shoreline oval in 2013 with the running of the Mr. Rooter 161 at the track.

At Thompson it’s double vision Modified night at the track with the SK Modified division running twin 25-lap features and the SK Light Modified division running twin 20-lap features.

Where: Thompson International Speedway
What: NASCAR Whelen All-American Series event
When: Thursday
Schedule: 25-lap NASCAR Whelen All-American Series SK Modified (2), 25-lap Late Model, 20-lap SK Light Modified (2), 20-lap Limited Sportsman and 15-lap Mini Stock. Grandstands open: 4 p.m.; Qualifying begins: 5:30 p.m.
Tickets: Adults $18; Youth (6-14) $5, children 5 and under free.
More: The third week of Thursday night racing at Thompson in 2013. Last week’s Thursday night event was rained out. … With two victories in three features this year, Keith Rocco leads the track’s Whelen All-American Series SK Modified division standings. Woody Pitkat, still looking for his first victory of the season, is two points Rocco in second. Ryan Preece, the only other winner in the division this season, is four points behind Rocco. This week’s car features twin 25-lap features for the SK Modified division. …. The SK Light Modified division will also have twin 20-lap features Thursday. There will also be a special Vintage Outlaw Modified exhibition event.

Where: Stafford Motor Speedway
What: Valenti Modified Racing Series and NASCAR Whelen All-American Series event
When: Friday
Schedule: 80-lap Valenti Modified Racing Series, 40-lap NASCAR Whelen All-American Series SK Modified, 30-lap Late Model, 20-lap SK Light Modified, 20-lap Limited Late Model and 20-lap DARE Stock. Grandstands open: 4:15 p.m.; Qualifying begins: 6 p.m. Features begin: Approximately: 7 p.m.
Tickets: Adults $27.50, $30; Youth (6-14) $5, children 5 and under free.
More: The fifth week of Friday night racing at Stafford in 2013. … The fourth event this season for the Valenti Modified Racing Series and first of three events in 2013 at Stafford Motor Speedway for the series. Marks the sixth event ever at Stafford for the division. There have been five different winners in the first five series events at Stafford. Former Valenti Modified Racing Series winners at the track include Ted Christopher, Keith Rocco, Chris Pasteryak, Tommy Barrett Jr. and Jon McKennedy. … There have been three different winners in three events this season on Valenti Modified Racing Series. Steve Masse won the season opener on April 7 at the Waterford Speedbowl, Rowan Pennink won April 20 at Monadnock Speedway in Winchester, N.H. and Lou Mechalides won on June 8th at Seekonk (Mass.) Speedway. … Pennink is also a regular in the SK Modified division at Stafford and on the Whelen Modified Tour. … With three victories in five events this season, Ryan Preece leads the SK Modified division standings at Stafford. Preece won the first two events of the season and went back to victory lane in the division last week. Pennink and Danny Cates also have SK Modified wins at Stafford this year.

Where: Waterford Speedbowl
What: NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour and NASCAR Whelen All-American Series event
When: Saturday
Schedule: Whelen Modified Tour Mr. Rooter 161, 35-lap NASCAR Whelen All-American Series SK Modified, 30-lap Late Model, 25-lap Street Stock, 25-lap Mini Stock. Grandstands open: 1 p.m.; Qualifying: 5 p.m.; Features: 6:30 p.m.
Tickets: Adults $38; Youth (6-14) $10, children 5 and under free.
More: The 10th event of the season at the shoreline oval. … The fourth of 14 events this season for the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour and only event this year at the Waterford Speedbowl. Last year the Modified Tour returned to the Speedbowl for the first time since 2006 and Doug Coby was victorious at Waterford, one of five victories on the season for the eventual 2012 series champion. … There have been three different winners in three events this season on the Whelen Modified Tour. Mike Stefanik won the season opening Icebreaker at Thompson on April 14 and Bobby Santos III won the Spring Sizzler at Stafford on April 28. Ryan Preece won the TSI Harley-Davidson 125 last Friday at Stafford. … Tyler Chadwick won for the second time this season in last week’s SK Modified feature at Waterford. Keith Rocco leads the SK Modified division standings at Waterford. Todd Ceravolo is second, 16 points behind. Chadwick is 42 points behind the leader in third.