STAFFORD – It could be said that the first two weeks of the 2019 season at Stafford Motor Speedway were pretty deflating for SK Modified driver Glen Reen.
Flat tires in the first two events of the season had Reen wishing for a change of luck.
That turn came Friday for the Wilbraham, Mass. driver.
Reen led every lap to win the 40-lap NASCAR Whelen All-American Series SK Modified feature Friday at Stafford.
It was the fourth career SK Modified victory for Reen.
“I can’t thank the good Lord enough,” Reen said. “We had a couple rough weeks. Two flat tires the first week and a flat tire last week. Finally we don’t get a flat and we end up in victory lane. I can’t [team owner] Dan Avery enough and this whole entire Horsepower Hill Farm [team] that stands by me. It’s probably the best team at Stafford guaranteed.
“We worked so hard over the winter. It’s good to be back in victory lane.”
Mike Christopher Jr. of Wolcott was second and Stephen Kopcik of Newtown third.
Reen went past David Arute for the lead on the first lap of the event. Kopcik challenged Reen in the early stages before being overtaken by Christopher on a lap 31 restart.
Christopher fought power steering issues for the second week to land on the podium.
“From like halfway on I started losing it, and especially at the end with like 10 [laps] to go there was nothing,” Christopher said. “… Once again, never give up. Last week we ran out of power steering and went a lap down and came back to finish ninth. Right here, just to not give up again. I give it up to my crew and my dad for believing in me still.”
Kopcik recovered from struggles over the first two weeks.
“It was pretty good tonight,” Kopcik said. “Definitely a big step from the first two weeks. We were trying some pretty whacky stuff. Sometimes you just go back to basics and we’re good. We’re going to come testing some more and get a little better and find where we can improve and hopefully be running up here more often.”
From the under the radar file an asterisk for DJ Burnham. Called the Racing Farmer but he drives more like velvet……smooth.
Stepping away for the better part of a year. Starting at the rear of another big field and steadily making his way up an avoiding mayhem to finish just behind Ronnie Williams in 10th place. In the process turning a top tier lap time of 19.155. Someone used the time away very productively.
It also evidence of how ridiculously competitive SK’s are.
Where were the fans last night- half price and no one shows up. Can’t blame it on the weather, forecast said clear by 4:00, too wet to cut your lawn. Narducci kicked some butt last night – took it to the outside and went to the front.
“From the under the radar file an asterisk for DJ Burnham”
Adding to the accomplishment, he was dealing with an engine problem in practice, which is why he may have been out on track at the back of one of the SKL races.
Nice recovery!