(Press Release from Stafford Motor Speedway)
Troy Talman celebrates his first victory at Stafford Motor Speedway in May 2013 (Photo: Stephanie Kimball/Stafford Speedway)
When the green flag falls on the 44th Annual NAPA Spring Sizzler this season, Oxford, MA native Troy Talman will find himself making his Sizzler debut in one of the most recognizable rides on the Whelen Modified Tour. Talman teamed up with the #3 Boehler Family team for the 2014 season ending race and that relationship has blossomed into a full-time ride for the 2015 season with sponsorship from Cape Cod Copper, Riverview Industries, and NAPA Ayer Auto Parts.
“The plan is to run the whole season,” said Talman. “Last year I gave the Boehler’s a call because the car wasn’t running to see if we could work out a deal. I got along really well with the crew guys, especially Greg Fournier and Scott Richards. We didn’t really have any time to shake the car down beforehand and the first practice session was my first time driving a Modified Tour car. I think we were around 19th in practice, we qualified 23rd, and the race went pretty well. I got a lot of experience and I’m ready for the season. It’s really cool to be driving for the Boehler family in such a legendary car and I’m very thankful for the opportunity. The Boehler team has a really good system of how they do things at the shop and my dad and I have been helping them at the shop doing what they tell us we need to do.”
Although Talman is still new to the world of Whelen Modified Tour competition, his track experience at Stafford should be a big help. Talman came to Stafford for the first time in 2013 where he ran in the SK Light division. In only his second race at Stafford, Talman piloted his family owned car to victory lane and he ended the season third in the points standings. Talman’s ability to quickly adapt to new situations and surroundings will be an asset to him as he will see some of the tracks on the NWMT schedule for the very first time.
“Thompson, Stafford, and Waterford are 3 tracks that are pretty crucial to have success on the Tour,” said Talman. “And the tracks that I haven’t been to yet, I feel like I have the ability to adjust quickly to them. In 2011 I used to travel all over new England with my dad with our Legend Car and I seemed to adjust to those tracks pretty quickly and I’m hoping I can do that again. I’m really excited. The Sizzler will be the longest race I’ve ever participated in and we’ll see how it goes. My ultimate goal is to finish all the laps, be there at the end of the race, and if we could come out of there with a top-10, that would be amazing. I’m not expecting to go out there and win in my first Sizzler. The plan is to not use your car up early on and make sure you’re there at the end of the race. You almost have to ride around until you come into the pits for tires and then you can try to charge towards the front.”
Talman says that his main focus during the 2015 season will be his Whelen Modified Tour effort, but he says that he could also make a couple of starts in the SK Modified® division as well this season.
“We’re going to focus on the Tour stuff this season but you might see us for a race or two for the SK Modifieds®,” said Talman. “The car is all ready to go and you might see us out there for the NAPA SK 5k. Rookie of the Year would be nice but we’re kind of on a one race at a time approach and you can’t look at the big picture because you’ll lose track of what you’re focusing on right now.”
Talman and the #3 team will kick off their NAPA Spring Sizzler weekend with practice and Coors Light Pole Qualifying on Saturday, April 25th as part of the 44th Annual NAPA Auto Parts Spring Sizzler. The 200-lap NAPA Spring Sizzler will run on Sunday, April 26 at approximately 3:15pm following the NAPA Pit Party from 11am-12noon and the SK Modified® and Late Model feature events beginning at 1pm. Tickets for the “Greatest Race in the History of Spring” are on sale now at the Speedway Box Office. Tickets are priced at $38.50 for adult general admission tickets, $5.00 for children ages 6-14, and children ages 5 and under are admitted free of charge when accompanied by an adult. Reserved seating is priced at $42.00 for all ages. As always, Stafford Motor Speedway offers free parking with overnight parking available. All tickets are good for both Saturday and Sunday admission. All ticket prices include 10% CT Admission Tax.
For more information on the 44th Annual NAPA Auto Parts Spring Sizzler, or to order tickets, contact the Stafford Motor Speedway track office at 860-684-2783 or visit us on the web at www.staffordspeedway.com.
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