STAFFORD – Last Friday Todd Owen had the weight of a years long winless streak in the SK Modified division at Stafford Motor Speedway lifted.
Last week Owen saw the losing streak end and Friday he turned to the corner to a winning streak starting.
Owen, of Somers, came out on top of a feisty green-white-checkered finish battle with Glen Reen to score victory in the 40-lap NASCAR Whelen All-American Series SK Modified feature Friday at Thompson.
Owen’s last victory before June 14 was on Oct. 6, 2016.
“Ultimately we had good cars the last couple years,” Owen said. “We had a lot of seconds and thirds. We just couldn’t get to the next spot. We’re just working hard. The team is gelling good together and the cars are good.
“It’s just like anything, when things are going your way and things are rolling your way you have a lot more confidence. You maybe stick your car in the place where you’re if you weren’t confident with it you may not stick it. As good as the car is, I’m glad I can make those moves and be confident that it will be there when I step on the gas.”
Reen, of Wilbraham, Mass., was second and Ronnie Williams of Tolland third.
Reen used a three-wide move following a lap 32 restart to go from fourth to the lead by Owen and Williams.
“It was just an awesome race out front,” Owen said. “Glen, what can you say? He made a move there that I don’t think me or Ronnie would have made there and he made it work and we all got through it.”
Owen went under Reen for the lead on lap 34. Reen fought back to steal the lead back on lap 39 just before a caution flew negating the pass and setting up the green-white-checkered finish.
The first attempt at the finish was stalled by a backstretch wreck. On the second attempt it was Owen strategically keeping Reen to his outside for the final two laps. Reen led at the line to take the white flag, but Owen kept him to his outside for the final lap and won the drag race off turn four to the line.
“I knew if I kept him out there that he wouldn’t have been able to get underneath me,” Owen said. “I kept him out there. Bryan [Narducci] was spotting for me and he did an awesome job keeping him where he needed to be.”
Owen dedicated the victory to his father Tom, who passed away on June 22, 1995.
“Tomorrow is the anniversary of my father passing away,” Owen said. “It’s been a long long time. I’ve got to believe he was up there tonight with me.”
Unbelievable race – no doubt one of the best in a long time. Great job by- the 21,81,50 and 17.
Congrats to Todd, and the 81 crew. Two in a row, great job.
Work pays off. Congrats
Great race and a good clean win! A very nice display of talent and skill by all up front, aggressive racing with no ugly stuff.
No drama Todd Owen. Not everyone roots for him but no one roots against him.