Ted Christopher celebrates victory in the SK Modified feature Friday at Stafford Motor Speedway (Photo: Jim DuPont)
STAFFORD – The top teen driver in the SK Modified division at Stafford Motor Speedway this season has been Chase Dowling.
But on Friday in Stafford it was aged experience besting youth in a dramatic late race showdown for SK Modified division supremacy.
In a closing laps lead swappig showcase it was Ted Christopher besting Dowling for victory in the 40-lap NASCAR Whelen All-American Series SK Modified feature Friday at Stafford Motor Speedway.
It was the second victory of the season for Christopher, of Plainville, the track’s all-time winningest driver, who turned 59 earlier this month.
The 19-year old Dowling, of Roxbury, who has two victories in six starts this year, held on for second. Keith Rocco of Wallingford was third.
“He’s won a couple but he’s never beat me,” Christopher said. “Maybe that’s not the best way to say it sometimes. But you know what, I’ve won a lot of races by beating people, not by starting up front. … You know what, I beat him. He still has a chance to try to beat me. We’ll see what happens.”
It was the 105th career SK Modified victory at Stafford for Christopher and his 127th victory overall at the track dating back to 1986.
Christopher went by Tom Abele on lap 21. By lap 30 Dowling was up to second. On lap 33 Dowling got under Christopher for the lead off turn four. On the next lap Christopher made contact with Dowling and slowed in turn three, allowing Rocco to take over second. Two laps later Christopher got back by Rocco for second and moved back in on Dowling.
On lap 37 Christopher got under Dowling into turn three and came out of turn four back in the lead.
But on lap 38 Dowling gave Christopher a shot to the rear into turn three and worked his way to the low lane to regain the top spot.
“He just drove me into turn three,” Christopher said. “I had nowhere to go. He was pushing me so hard, it’s not even steering. Then I came unplugged.”
Said Dowling: “I guess he calls it a dirty. But I guess we’ve got a villain here to race with him.”
On lap 39 Christopher once again used a diving move into turn three and came out of turn four with the lead for good.
“The cream usually rises to the top,” Christopher said.
Um Ted
When Dowling one his second race of the year this year he beat none other then you so you should probably think before you speak!
What a wonderful article built on the theme of age that was uncomfortable about a driver that for decades has made a lot of people uncomfortable. Making Christopher’s age a highlight as well as Dowling’s youth made me squirm but it is a terrific counterpoint to a great race. Ted Christopher who I’ve enjoyed both admiring and disliking for decades is stuck in a perpetual very high level of competition without regard to year, decade or location . Wanting him to show more grace in winning and perhaps reflective of his iconic stratus as an elder statesman. No, that’s not happening. There is no past or age with him. There’s a race, other cars to get ahead of and after he does he’ll let you know he beat you. If he doesn’t all he sees is the work necessary to make his car able to beat you next time. Racing has enough guys with white hats, polished post race generic comments and sponsor friendly likeability. Christopher is a critical brooding, wonderfully unpredictable presence in local racing regardless of age.
It was spectacular watching the supers get around the track at a speed that seems unimaginable. But for my money the best division, at one of the nicest tracks going nearly the perfect distance at 40 flat out laps of no strategy racing is the SK’s.
The late joe Brady once told me ” ya know I’ve had a lot of great drivers Through the years and the one thing I’ve learned about great drivers is they don’t make great people”
Great job Teddy
Hands down best sk driver ever period
Rocco Is right there too.
I believe TC toys with the field
Except rocco he don’t toy with
Those 2 are best in the world
Jim,
Mike Stefanik, Charlie Jarzombek and Richie Evans were great drivers and pretty good guys.
Dear God people, it was just a little victory lane smack talking. No big deal. Challenging the young buck at the same time.
TC is the king. nothing else needs to be said stop whining Hooser
I meant to write “Don’t always make great make great people ” my bad
10-4 goodfella….and they didn’t put the bumper to “beat” the other guy
Eye for an eye. Both of them roughed each other on two different laps. Fair is fair. Great race to watch. Super mods are awesome to watch, just wish there was some passing. Glad they got the show in.
TC is the Dale Earnhardt (Sr.) of CT.
The Supers were amazing to watch for sure. The speed at which they get around the track is a sight to behold. Rarely in my view since they’re too fast to race side by side at Stafford anyway. The show is still the SK’s. And it isn’t one driver or several. It’s the magnificent array of top notch teams from top to bottom. Hats off to DJ Burnham a young up and comer in only his second year from the Lights that has had his share of poor finishes coming in 6th. Learning the ropes, paying his dues. All that money and expertise behind so many teams and a farmer with a committed family operation and a dogged attention to handling competing with the best. How do you not love all these teams.
Jim, check again… is that what you really meant to write?
I couldn’t see the banging Dowling did on TC but seeing the replay it was amazing. It was like karma at work. Total roll reversal. I guess my question would be was Dowling pounding away as pay back for something Christopher did in the past? Ironic. The guy known for bumper tag was the victim of bumper tag and still won. I’m sure I’ve seen a better last few laps to a race but I can’t recall any.