(Press Release from Stafford Motor Speedway)
Stafford Motor Speedway has announced that Doug Dunleavy of Dunleavy’s Truck and Trailer Repair has been named the Grand Marshal of the 45th Annual NAPA Auto Parts Spring Sizzler® on April 23-24. Dunleavy will give the command to send the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour field of cars on their way to the green flag in “The Greatest Race in the History of Spring.”
“This will be a first for me, I’m pumped right now!” said Dunleavy. “It didn’t really kick in for me at first but now I’m thinking it’s going to be pretty cool. I always follow along any time I hear Gentleman Start Your Engines when I’m at the racetrack, so now I can finally say it the way I want to say it and it’s going to be awesome. I have something special planned but you’ll have to wait until Sizzler Sunday to find out what it is. This is a big honor for me because to me the Sizzler is the most exciting race and Stafford and New Hampshire are the two most exciting tracks for the modifieds.”
Dunleavy’s presence won’t be confined to just giving the NWMT field the command to start their engines. The #2 car of Doug Coby, the #9 car of Chase Dowling, the #20 car of Max Zachem, the #85 car of Woody Pitkat, and the #99 car of Jamie Tomaino all carry sponsorship from Dunleavy’s Truck & Trailer Repair but Dunleavy’s support doesn’t stop there.
For each WMT race, Dunleavy picks three drivers from a hat and if one of those drivers can win the pole Dunleavy awards a bonus consisting of cash and gift certificates. If one of Dunleavy’s three drivers don’t win the pole, then the bonus continues to roll over race to race until a picked driver wins the pole.
“The Dunleavy’s Pick of the Hat Pole Giveaway is going to be around $4,200 for Stafford,” said Dunleavy. “It was up to $3,600 at Thompson and no one won it so I’ll have around $4,200 for the Stafford pole position.”
The 45th Annual NAPA Auto Parts Spring Sizzler® action gets underway Friday, April 22 with a practice session for Stafford’s weekly divisions and the Mr. Rooter Trucks. The practice session will be open to the public at no charge. Action continues on Saturday, April 23 with Coors Light Pole Qualifying for the Whelen Modified Tour cars, along with heat and consolation races for Stafford’s weekly divisions, the U.S. Legend Cars, and the Mr. Rooter Trucks. Saturday will wrap up with feature events for the SK Light, Limited Late Model, DARE Stock, Legend Cars, and Mr. Rooter Trucks. Spring Sizzler® action continues on Sunday, April 24 with the NAPA Auto Parts Pit Party from 11am-noon followed by Stafford’s SK Modifieds® in a special 45-lap feature and Late Models joining the Whelen Modified Tour in feature action.
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. Discount Tickets are available at 57 participating NAPA Auto Parts stores throughout Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island. For a full list of the 57 locations, call the speedway office or visit us on the web at www.staffordmotorspeedway.com/participating-napa-auto-parts-stores.
For more information on the 45th 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.
Congrats to Doug for this special honor. In the past there have been Governors, television personalities and even the owner of the Boston Red Sox as Grand Marshals. He deserves this honor and all modified fans appreciate his support.
Don’t worry Phil, maybe some time soon you will be the Grand Marshal of a Stafford Spring Sizzler.
Dad and I are REALLY PROUD of you….and your determination to support and improve modified racing!!!!…..YOU ROCK SON!!!!! <3 <3 <3
Already had the honor thank you.