(Press Release from Stafford Motor Speedway)
Stafford Speedway has announced that the track will honor the memory of long time Modified car owner Mario Fiore by extending the SK Modified® feature distance from its customary 40-laps to 44-laps. The SK Modified feature will also pay out an additional $44 per finishing position in his memory.
Fiore was a long time car owner and was well known throughout New England with his #44 car. Fiore won over 200 races as a car owner and he won track championships at tracks throughout New England with driver such as Reggie Ruggiero, Mike Stefanik, Rick Fuller, Greg Sacks, Jerry Marquis, and many others. Fiore came close to winning the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour championship several times with Ruggiero behind the wheel of the #44 but his only championship came in 2000 with Marquis.
“Mario made the #44 famous so we thought that 44 laps would be an appropriate tribute to his long time contributions to the sport of modified racing,” said Stafford COO/GM Mark Arute. “With several extra laps for our drivers we wanted to pay them a little something extra and the 44 theme was a good number to go with.”
In addition to the SK Modifieds®, Stafford’s Late Models, SK Lights, Limited Late Models, and DARE Stocks will join the Valenti Modified Racing Series in feature action. Tickets for the VMRS 80 are priced at $27.50 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. All ticket prices include 10% CT Admission Tax. Reserved seating is $30.00 for all ages.
For more information, contact the Stafford Motor Speedway track office at 860-684-2783 or visit us on the web at www.staffordspeedway.com.
A pretty classy gesture on behalf of Mark and his family.
It would also be a nice gesture that all the mod drivers wear a black arm band.