Marcello Rufrano celebrates victory in the 40-lap SK Light Modified feature Friday at Stafford Motor Speedway (Photo: Jim DuPont)
STAFFORD – When it comes to competing at Stafford Motor Speedway, Marcello Rufrano has hopes of landing in the premier SK Modified division soon.
And the 17-year old from North Haven understands that proving the mettle to run the 40-lap features of the division is imperative.
Friday at Rufrano showed that 40 circuits around the half-mile oval suits him just fine.
Rufrano won the 40-lap Dunleavy’s Modifiedz Night special event for the SK Modified division Friday at Stafford Speedway.
It was the second victory of the season for Rufrano. The SK Light Modified division typically runs 20 lap features.
“This is the race you really want to showcase your talent,” Rufrano said. “This is 40 laps, the normal main event for an SK Modified. You really want to show what you can do in those 40 laps. Set yourself up, get the lead, work the traffic. It really brings out the true driver that you can be patient but be aggressive at the same time.”
Rufrano took the lead from Teddy Hodgon IV on lap 13 and never trailed again in the caution marred event.
“Those last restarts were so hectic,” Rufrano said. “This thing just took so long to fire up but once we got it going this thing was just on rails. There’s nothing better than putting a Dunleavy’s [sponsored] car in victory lane. … Doug Dunleavy and everyone that made this event possible, I can’t thank you enough.”
Mikey Flynn of Hampden, Mass. was second and Geoff Nooney of Southampton, Mass. third.
Rufrano earned just over $2,000 for the victory, more than double the regular winner’s purse for an SK Light Modified feature.
Yea for Rufrano. Yea for Mr. Average guy Goeff Nooney doing the best with what he can afford for a great finish. Didn’t see that coming. Once again Narducci had the fastest lap and was the hard charger only to be denied by circumstance. He’s second in points behind The Jet but that speed of his will not be denied in the long run.
Very classy young man, I have enjoyed watching him since his Dare stock days. He ran a very smart race, didn’t get rattled by all the restarts, and after a couple laps that car was a rocket ship! Glad I was there to see it.
Doug, it would have been interesting if Narducci didn’t get caught up in that wreck. Yes, the 01 had the fastest lap of the race (19.554) to the 88’s (19.583) However,look at the 88’s second, third and forth fastest laps, they were laps 39, 40, and 37. That tells me Marcello had plenty left in the tank.
One last note, I was quite surprised Scott Tapley let one of those late restarts go. From where I was sitting, it looked like the 54 was 4 feet in front of the 88 at the line. Maybe he ruled the 88 spun the tires.
another Keit the cheat car….
Good call Paul.
Keith dosent work on the car, just another fast car with a good driver behind the wheel
What did they check on the 88? Two wins already, they should b checking closer now
Friday night I had the good fortune to see Bryan Narducci at numerous times by accident. First in the drivers meeting, then in the grand stands and then on the midway. He’s just a terrific kid and representative for the sport. Charismatic, good natured, friendly and ready to engage anyone. To a fault. One suggestion Bryan when it comes to the driver meeting shut up and pay attention. It was interesting seeing all the drivers and owners in a half circle listening and paying attention to the speaker and Bryan with his back turned over on the side yucking it up with a couple drivers that looked like they wanted to hear what was being said.
They removed rearends from top 3 cars and split them all open for inspection. There’s a summary for anyone wondering.
Where is the summary Geoff?
Somebody had asked what got teched after the race that’s all
Somebody had asked what that teched after the race, that is all
Everyone was perfectly legal Steve just fyi
2nd week in a row for rears. They’re looking for something obviously.