(Press release from Stafford Speedway)
With only 2 races left in the 2019 season, the race for the Limited Late Model title at Stafford Speedway will come down to the #6 L & S Equipment team of Jeremy Lavoie and the #59 Aquatic Wildlife / Elmo’s Dockside Restaurant team of Matt Clement. There could not be a more stark contrast between two drivers fighting for the championship than Lavoie and Clement. Lavoie is the defending track champion in the Limited Late Model division while Clement had never won a race before this season or finished in the top-5 of the standings.
Both Lavoie and Clement came out of the gate strong, combining to win 4 of the first 5 Limited Late Model races this season to establish themselves as championship contenders. The two drivers have taken turns swapping the point lead back and forth between themselves this season and Clement currently leads Lavoie with 6 wins to 4 heading into the final 2 races of the season. Although Lavoie has 2 fewer wins than Clement, he leads Clement by 4 points in the race for the championship.
“We’ve both had great years with Matt taking 6 wins and we have 4,” said Lavoie. “We’ve been real close to each other all year long and every position on the track counts and that’s really showed this season. We’re 4 points ahead right now and our plan is to keep our nose clean and to finish in front of Matt these last 2 races. Our focus is to still try to win these last 2 races but ultimately the only car I’m racing for points is Matt so we’re going to try to play both cards by finishing in front of Matt as well as winning the last 2 races. I’d love to win the Fall Final, that’s always a bigger trophy and it would be a great way to end the year on a high note.”
“This season has been kind of unbelievable for us,” said Clement. “I was actually just watching a video of our first win this season back at the Sizzler and it still gives me goose bumps watching it. I’ve probably watched all of our other wins this season at least a 100 times each on YouTube trying to pick apart what I could do better and maybe see where we can pick up a little speed on Jeremy. We’re all excited to be in the position that we’re in right now and we’re going to do the best we can the last 2 races. The plan is to be aggressive at the start of the races and be out there in front at the end. It’s going to be tough because Jeremy is probably the best or 2nd best driver in the division and he’s very consistent. We’re going out to win these last 2 races and have a take no prisoners attitude. I think we’re the underdog right now and I’ve been joking with my Dad that we work better under pressure. We’re excited to be in this position only 4 points behind and we’re going to try to go out and win two more trophies this season.”
The race for the Limited Late Model championship continues this Friday, September 13 as part of First Responder Night at Stafford. All first responders with proper I.D. will get a general admission ticket for only $10. Regular tickets are priced at $20 for Adult General Admission, $5 for kids 6-14 and kids 5 & under are free. Reserved seating is $23 for all ages.
The Limited Late Model champion will be determined at the season ending NAPA Fall Final on September 28-29. Tickets for the NAPA Auto Parts Fall Final Weekend are priced at $40.00 for adult general admission tickets, $10.00 for children ages 6-14, and children ages 5 and under are admitted free of charge when accompanied by an adult. Reserved seating is priced at $45.00 for all ages. All NAPA Fall Final tickets are good for admission on both Saturday and Sunday. Discount tickets for the NAPA Fall Final Weekend are available at your local participating NAPA Auto Parts Store. The NAPA tickets include general admission for both days along with a lunch buffet on Sunday, all for only $38 per person. For a list of participating NAPA Stores, please click the PARTICIPATING NAPA STORES link found at the top of the www.staffordspeedway.com homepage. All ticket prices include 10% CT Admission Tax.
For more information, visit StaffordSpeedway.com, checkout Stafford Speedway on Facebook or Twitter, or contact the track office at 860-684-2783.
Best of luck to both Jeremy and Matt.Its a shame that the car count was so low this year. The limited’s used to be a stout division, with great car counts. But as the drivers moved up, no one filled the spot. Now there’s only 8-10 cars, maybe less. Sad very sad Stafford has to do something, what that is,who knows.