Under The Radar: Alexander Pearl Gets First SK Light Modified Victory At Stafford Speedway

Alexander Pearl celebrates his first career SK Light Modified victory Sunday at the NAPA Fall Final at Stafford Speedway (Photo: Fran Lawlor)

STAFFORD – After the dust settled on a metal-twisting wild and wicked championship battle in the SK Light Modified division Sunday, when the checkered flag flew it was a new face in victory lane at Stafford Motor Speedway.

Though a quite familiar name at the track.

Alexander Pearl, grandson of two-time Stafford Speedway SK Modified champion Jerry Pearl, got his first career victory in the 20-lap SK Light Modified feature Sunday at the NAPA Fall Final.

The victory got somewhat overshadowed by the championship battle between Alexander Pearl’s cousin Bryan Narducci and Marcello Rufrano. That championship fight ended with Rufrano and Narducci wrecked on lap 17, but Pearl ended up being the beneficiary of the mess.

“It feels awesome,” said Alexander Pearl, the son of former New London-Waterford Speedbowl champion Jeff Pearl. “I like flying under the radar anyways so it’s awesome. I don’t really know what to say. It’s just cool.”

Andrew Molleur of Shelton was second and Glen Griswold of Vernon third.

Alexander Pearl is in his first season running the SK Light Modified division full-time at Stafford.

“Our goal at the beginning of the year was just to learn,” Alexander Pearl said, “And I feel like we did that. Spring Sizzler I finished 16th. I was beside myself. I was frustrated. And we just got better every single week. And finally, we ran good [on Sept. 14] and ran up front near the end, but tonight we were able to finish it.”

Pearl inherited the lead after Rufrano and Narducci wrecked on lap 17 and then held off the charges of Griswold and Molleur.

“Both Bryan and Marcello are both aggressive,” Alexander Pearl said. “I knew once they got together they were going to get together again and I just needed to check up and make sure I got through it.”

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Comments

  1. Congratulations!!! Awesome job

  2. I second that. Great job!

  3. It’s animal house out there in the Lights and I say that in admiration. Tons of competition, great drivers and great cars. All credit to Stafford for enforcing an even division that may not be affordable but the least unaffordable in today’s racing world.
    It’s the Pearl clan. Seriously how long did you think this kid would go before registering a win.
    Well done to yet another sterling diaper dandy.

  4. Bob Freeman says

    Congratulations, Alexander! The kid definitely has good genes for the racing game!

  5. Nice job driving a clean race and being there to take the checkers. Congratulations!

  6. Did he do that? Pearl went way high in turn four to clear the way for his cousin it appeared. If he did it turned out to be the slickest move of the day.

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