Zach Robinson
STAFFORD – A second place in the season opening event set the confidence rolling for Stafford Motor Speedway DARE Stock driver Zack Robinson. Winning in the second race of the season had him elated.
Friday night in Stafford was about dreams coming true in the season’s third event.
Robinson, of Putnam, kept up his heated roll of 2017 by winning the 15-lap DARE Stock feature Friday at Stafford Motor Speedway.
“I don’t even know what to say at this moment,” Robinson said. “This car has been good all year, right from the start. There’s one person I need to thank a lot and that’s [crew chief] Joe Brockett. He gets the setup right on every week.”
Johnny Walker of Ludlow, Mass. was second and Michael Hopkins of Springfield, Mass. third.
“It’s been a dream start definitely,” Robinson said. “[Winning consecutive events] is a first. It puts a lot of confidence in me. Finishing second in the first race of the season, then winning, then winning another one, its just great. It’s helping us out proving that the car is there this year.”
Robinson got under Hopkins in a battle for the lead on lap nine. The two went side-by-side for lap nine and lap 10, with Robinson edging Hopkins for the lead at the start/finish line on lap 10.
The side-by-side battle continued on lap 11, before Robinson cleared Hopkins out front on lap 12. Walker went to second on lap 12 but had nothing for Robinson over the closing laps.
“It was never a thought in my head to go back-to-back,” Robinson said.
Anthony Nocella inherited the lead under caution on lap 76 and held on to win the 80-lap Valenti Modified Racing Series feature.
Nocella, of Woburn, Mass., took over the lead when previous race leader Rowan Pennink ran out of fuel. Woody Pitkat of Stafford was second and Mike Willis Jr. of Grantham, N.H. third.
“We were horrible in practice and the thing was awesome in the race,” Nocella said.
George Nocera Jr. of Plainville held off Wes Prucker of Stafford to win his first career SK Light Modified feature in the 20-lap feature for the division.
“This is awesome,” Nocera said. “This is honestly a dream come true. I’ve been racing for about 25 years now or more and I’ve always wanted to get into one of these things and run About 10 years ago I got in one and didn’t have such good luck. I really have to thank Ted Christopher for giving me an opportunity to get in this car. I’ve got to thank Mike O’Sulivan and Keith Rocco for helping to setup this awesome machine.”
Prucker held on for second and David Arute of Tolland was third.
Jeremy Lavoie of Windsor Locks held off Duane Provost of Springfield, Mass. on the final lap to win the 20-lap Limited Late Model feature.
Robert Bloxsom III of Stratford was third.
Congrats. to George, along with Jeff & Gary. Working hard together for years. Also, great job Anthony, another real driver with a good family team. Go Raceworks, Eddie should be proud!