(Press Release from Stafford Motor Speedway)
The NAPA Auto Parts SK 5k returns to the half-mile on Friday July 10th and the NAPA fan vote is in full swing with over 1,200 votes cast. Also returning to the second edition of the event will be bonus money for the top-3 finishers in the SK Modified® qualifying races. Drivers who finish in the top-3 of their heat race will be awarded an additional bonus of $250, $150, or $100 respectively. The added bonus for qualifying races is just another piece of the already huge jackpot of over $30,000 for the SK Modified® division.
“Last year in the NAPA SK 5k, we paid bonus money to the top 3 in each qualifying race,” explained David Arute Assistant GM at Stafford. “It’s a great way to reward the SK drivers for the great show they put on every week. Basically no sandbagging to save tires, just all out racing. It’s $250 to win a 8-lap feature, who wouldn’t want more money?”
In addition to the already big purse and payout for the qualifying races Stafford has added the NAPA SK 5k Gambler’s Challenge Bonus presented by Dunleavy Truck and Trailer Repair. Drivers will enter the challenge by putting up $100 which will then be matched dollar for dollar by Doug Dunleavy of Dunleavy Truck and Trailer Repair. The bonus will be awarded based on the results of the fan vote currently ongoing at staffordspeedway.com. Currently the total bonus for the Gambler’s Challenge is $1,400. With over two weeks until the 2nd Annual NAPA Auto Parts SK 5k fans can expect to see a bonus of $5,000 on the line.
“You just have to go at it like any other race,” explains Eric Berndt, driver of the #66 SK Modified® Gambler’s Challenge entry. “It’s just like another Friday night race only there’s more money on the line, a win would definitely be a big momentum push for us.” Berndt currently sits 4th in the SK Modified® point standings and has been close to a breakthrough win in 2015. “We’re looking to get just a little more momentum going our way and winning that race would be huge, especially being the biggest paying race of the year. Hopefully we can do the same thing that Rowan [Pennink] did last year.”
With the competition in the SK Modifieds® at Stafford the toughest ever seen at the half-mile it will be no easy feat to conquer the NAPA Auto Parts SK 5k. Thus far in 2015 four drivers have visited victory lane, led by one of the hottest drivers in the northeast and current point leader Rowan Pennink. 2011 SK Modified® Champion and 2013 Whelen Modified Tour Champion, Ryan Preece, sits 2nd in points and is still searching for an elusive first win in 2015. Current National Points leader Keith Rocco has visited NAPA victory lane twice thus far in 2015 and sits 3rd in points.
Eric Berndt, 4th in the championship points race is confident he can get to victory lane this season.
“Any time you can roll into victory lane at Stafford, or even get a top-3 finish, you’re doing well. It just seems hard to keep that momentum going from week to week this year. We keep on making gains with the car and I’m feeling pretty positive about that. I think we’re right around the corner from knocking a win off.”
The $5,000 to win SK 5K won’t be the only entertainment at Stafford during the night of July 10th. Stafford Speedway will host The Savage Brothers Band for a pre-race concert, the 4now Band for the post-race entertainment, and a barbeque taking place on the midway with some great food available to race fans.
Tickets for the July 10th NAPA SK 5K are available and on sale now at the Speedway Box Office. Tickets are priced at $27.50 for adult general admission tickets, $5.00 for kids ages 6-14, and kids 5 and under are admitted free of charge when accompanied by an adult. Reserved seating will be priced at $30.00 for all ages. All ticket prices include 10% CT Admission Tax. Stafford Speedway offers free parking with free overnight parking for self-contained RV’s available.
For more information on the July 10th NAPA SK 5K, 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.
One has to decide if this is worth $10 more than the already over inflated $17.50 regular Friday night admission price… I’m on the fence…
Another Fellah, if this years race is anything like last years race, it is well worth it. It was better than any tour race you’ll see at a CT track.
How many laps is this one
Bob,
50, 80 or 100 laps, depending on the fan vote.
It will most likely be 100 laps since 66% of the fan vote is for 100.
Right now the bonus money Gambler’s Challenge has 7 drivers entered. Stafford has claimed since day one they believe they could get 25 entries for $5,000. Not looking that was now. Don’t get me wrong- last year’s 5K was amazing. It was one of the top races in Connecticut that year. But the amount of hype Stafford has put into last year’s race and this year’s race has been nauseating. Barbecues, pre and post race concerts, fan votes, “The Biggest SK Race in SMS History”, Gambler’s Challenge- it’s overkill, imo. The race should be able to promote its self, without cheesy gimmicks to get people in the door. Waterford’s SK 150 promotes its self. Thompson’s World Series promotes its self. Heck, even Stafford’s Sizzler is the track’s most attended event without any of these extras. I will still be there July 10, but if the race is a flop I hope Stafford loses some of their ego.
It’s a free country stay home if the race does not appeal to you. Stafford is the place to be. Fickle fans don’t know how lucky we have it for racing every weekend!
Last years sk/5k was probably the best of many great sk races the last couple seasons, well worth the admission price.