Ryan Fearn (left) and Alexandra Fearn at Stafford Speedway’s NAPA Pit Party Sunday
STAFFORD – The record book at Stafford Motor Speedway is copiously dotted with mentions of the last name Fearn.
Tom Fearn has made his mark in a big way at the track, not only in the former Stafford Pro Stock division, but also in the current Late Model division.
From 1992 to 2000 Fearn had 17 Pro Stock victories at Stafford and won championships in the division in 1993, ’95 and ’98. Since 2004 he’s had 15 Late Model division victories at the track.
Now 15-year old Ryan Fearn and his 17-year old sister Alexandra Fearn are trying to wedge their names into that record book along with their with their hard charging cousin Tom.
The Fearn siblings are back for their second season competing together in the DARE Stock division at Stafford.
Ryan Fearn kicked off the season in style Saturday by winning the 15-lap DARE Stock feature, part of NAPA Auto Parts Spring Sizzler weekend.
It was the second career victory for Ryan Fearn, who became the youngest winner in track history when he was victorious in a DARE Stock feature on June 24, 2013.
“It was just a huge payoff,” Ryan Fearn said of Saturday’s victory. “We worked really hard in the winter, especially in April. We had the car finished Friday in the morning, when we were actually here at the track. To be in victory lane was a huge payoff. I felt like everything we did was worth it.”
Around the racing circles of Connecticut the Fearn family name can be a blessing or curse depending on who it’s being mentioned to.
Tom Fearn’s hard-charging style has made him plenty of fans in the grandstands over the years, but also a few enemies around the paddock. And there’s also Ryan and Alexandra’s uncle Scott Fearn, a longtime team owner, who fields a Late Model for Keith Rocco at the Waterford Speedbowl. Uncle Scott is now stranger to the occasional controversial episode or two with his team.
But one thing not lost on the young siblings is the typical Fearn sense of humor when it comes to asking them about what positives the name brings.
Asked how having the Fearn name helps at the track, Ryan Fearn said: It brings danger. I just try to keep my mouth shut and my nose clean. We just try to keep our nose clean. We’re a different generation.”
Said Alexandra: “Some people hear the Fearn name and they’re like ‘Oh, wow, cool.’ And some people here it and they’re like ‘Oh.’”
Alexandra Fearn was fifth in the season opening feature Saturday. She said racing against her brother helps calm the nerves on the track.
“It’s better because you can work as a team,” Alexandra Fearn said. “You have that someone you can trust.”
Said Ryan Fearn: “It’s good to have someone out there that you know you can trust instead of someone that’s a little questionable.”
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