Albert Saunders Rolls To First Career Limited Late Model Feature At Stafford Speedway

STAFFORD – It’s said that getting the first victory out of the way can be the toughest thing for a driver to do in racing.

Albert Saunders celebrates his first career Limited Late Model division victory Friday at Stafford Speedway (Photo: Stephanie Kimball/Stafford Speedway)

If that’s the case, Albert Saunders should be racking them up one after another in the coming months in the Limited Late Model division at Stafford.

Saunders, of Stafford, was on cruise control over the closing laps on the way to his first career victory in the Limited Late Model division at Stafford Speedway.

Saunders, a former winner in the track’s DARE Stock division, is in his first year competing in the Limited Late Model division.

“I didn’t think I’d have a chance at winning this year just because this division is so competitive,” Saunders said. “But my guys work so hard. I’ve got the hardest working team here and the best group of guys to be with. I was just hoping there wasn’t going to be a caution because I knew I was able to pull away and have a good shot at winning.”

Saunders, who started third in the event, led by about half a straightaway over David Arute of Tolland at the checkered flag. D.J. Burnham of East Hartford was third.

Saunders credited changes made by the crew minutes before the feature in helping score his first victory.

“At the start of the season I thought I was going to be OK and I could win a race,” said Saunders, who had five career victories in the DARE Stock division. “Then after three races I was kind of starting to doubt that. The car was going OK, but it wouldn’t stay consistent. We’ve been working on it every week and making little gains, but not anything I thought would be major. And I really wasn’t happy with the car in practice today so I really didn’t expect to win tonight.”