(Press release from Stafford Speedway)
For the 5th consecutive season, Dunleavy’s Truck and Trailer Repair Gambler’s Challenge will add big money to the June 28 NAPA Auto Parts SK 5K 100 lap race.
The Gambler’s challenge, started in 2015, requires drivers to pay $100 to enter with Dunleavy matching entries up to $2,500 bringing the addition to the purse up to $5,000. The winner of the race draws out of a hat in victory lane to determine how the additional $5,000 is distributed. The bonus is distributed to either the winner, evenly across the top 5, top 10 or 10th through 20th.
“The NAPA SK 5K is the biggest race of the year for the SK Modified® division,” explained Doug Dunleavy of Dunleavy’s Truck and Trailer Repair. “Even though the intensity is pretty high every week in the SK’s at Stafford, these guys somehow turn it up for the 100 lapper. There’s nothing like throwing an additional $5,000 in the pot to add to the intensity.”
In its previous 4 years, the Gambler’s Challenge has been generous to the winner with 3 of the 4 paydays going to the driver who ended up in NAPA Victory Lane. Last year’s winner Ronnie Williams, 2016 winner Ted Christopher, and 2014 winner Ryan Preece each bagged over $10,000 for their win in the 100 lapper making this the richest SK Modified® event in the country.
“What we think is great about this concept is that there is a chance to get some additional money to the back half of the field,” noted Stafford General Manager Mark Arute. “In 2017, based on the random draw, we spread the bonus money across the top 5 which boosted the 5th place payout to $2,500. The goal of this event has always been to showcase the unbelievable racing in the SK Modified® division and put up some big money for SK teams. Big thank you to Doug for continuing his support of the Gambler’s Challenge.”
Total posted purse for the 2019 NAPA Auto Parts SK 5K is $27,100 and will be boosted to $32,100 with the addition of the expected $5,000 in bonus money for the Gambler’s Challenge. The strong payoff continues throughout the field with last place paying $450.
Weekly SK Modified® racing at Stafford has been highly competitive through the first 5 races of 2019 with 5 different winners. In addition to different faces visiting NAPA Victory Lane each week 2 finishes have been determined by less than .02 seconds. Heading into week 6 of the season Michael Gervais, Jr. leads Todd Owen and Michael Christopher, Jr. in the championship standings.
Tickets for the June 28 NAPA Auto Parts SK 5K are available and on sale now at the Speedway Box Office. Tickets are priced at $30.00 for adult general admission tickets, $5.00 for kids ages 6-14, and kids 5 and under are admitted free of charge when accompanied by an adult. Reserved seating is priced at $32.00 for all ages. All ticket prices include 10% CT Admission Tax. Discount tickets for the NAPA SK 5K are available at participating NAPA Auto Parts stores. For a full list of participating locations throughout Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont, please call the speedway office at 860-684-2783 or visit us on the web at www.staffordmotorspeedway.com/participating-napa-auto-parts-stores. Stafford Speedway offers free parking with free overnight parking for self-contained RV’s available.
Thanks to Doug Dunleavy for the gamblers challenge. The extra money makes for great racing.
I think I spy Waterford teams popping up on the Stafford team listing that are more recent additions like James and Jordan. Does this mean there will be an invasion for the 5K?
There could be a lot of cars at this one…