Teddy Hodgon IV celebrates his SK Light Modified victory Friday at Stafford Speedway (Photo: Jim Dupont/RaceDayCT)
STAFFORD – Celebrating victories on the grounds at Stafford Motor Speedway is nothing new for Teddy Hodgdon IV.
The 17-year old from Danbury has recorded victories at Stafford as part of the Monday evening karting events at Stafford and also in the track’s former Legends car division.
But Friday Hodgdon got his first chance to celebrate victory on the half-mile oval.
Hodgdon drove away from Mark Bakaj over the closing laps to win the 20-lap SK Light Modified feature Friday at Stafford Speedway.
“It’s huge,” Hodgdon said. “I’ve been on the Mini-Mile 10 years of my life. For the first year on the big oval with all the greats, Teddy Christopher, Keith Rocco, all those guys that have won here so many times. To be right with them is truly amazing. … We’ve been second and third so many times. To finally get it done, it’s a dream come true.”
Mark Bakaj of Lebanon was second and Andrew Molleur of Shelton third.
Hodgon went by Alexander Pearl for the lead on lap six with Bakaj following to second place.
“Finally,” Hodgdon said. “This car was a rocket ship all night. It was a little tight in practice but we made the right adjustments for the race and it was just, the thing was flying once we got out front. We just had to navigate the first couple laps there, but once we did this thing was a rocket ship.”
Bakaj made a move to get by Hodgdon on lap seven, but had nothing to challenge the teenager at the front the rest of the way.
“The car tightened up in the center of the corner and it was a little too free off,” Bakaj said. “Really good run. I’ve got to thank my guys for prepping this car and keeping it going every week. Congratulations to him. First win. He did a really good job. He ran a really good race out there. It was a lot of fun. We had a lot of fun out there.”
I don’t think you could find a nicer family that’s involved in racing than the Hodgdons. Big congrats to them!!
Not of fan if he’s going to thank Mod Squad Racing Media. There’s nothing nice about the owner of that site. More divisive based on the image he presents on social media.
I don’t know if Nicky Champrello is nice nor do I even care. But that gal and her dad have hearts of lions and through hard work and perseverance have gone from erratic field fillers to a real force in the Streets. Congratulations on another win! Look forward to seeing you race on Friday.
Doug I enjoy reading your posts most times, but sometimes I don’t get it. What do you mean if she’s nice?
Nothing sinister I assure you. A reference was made to Hodgdon’s family being nice.
I just wanted a team that I support getting a mention. All the chicks in the Streets are compelling in my book but Chambrello especially for making herself good over many years.