(Press release from Stafford Speedway)
A new division of racing is slated to hit the half-mile in 2020 with the Inaugural Pro Late Model Open on Friday, May 29th. Teams and drivers from throughout New England will make their way to Stafford Speedway to compete in an 80 lap event that will pay $2,500 to win. Rules and registration have now been posted online for the previously announced event.
“After consulting with race teams, we’ve landed on a rulebook that we believe will deliver the best racing and a level playing field for race teams that attend,” explained Stafford Speedway General Manager David Arute. “After hearing from race fans and teams for a few seasons, we’ve decided to bring in this type of division for an event at Stafford. Since we announced the event a few weeks back we’ve been encouraged by all the interest.”
Stafford’s Pro Late Model rulebook will allow multiple crate engine combinations used in Super Late Model and Pro Stock racing throughout the Northeast. Drivers from multiple Pro Stock and Super Late Model divisions have indicated their intention to compete in the May 29th event.
“We took our time with the rules and I think we’ve come up with a good package,” continued Arute. “We decided to only allow the crate motor for this event. This aligns with the direction local Super Late Model and Pro Stock series have gone throughout the Northeast.”
The official rulebook has been released and is now available online at staffordspeedway.com. Registration for the event is also now open and can be completed online or by calling the track office. Teams who register early will receive a discount. Additional event information and full purse breakdown will be released within the next few weeks.
Rules, registration, and additional information can be found online at StaffordSpeedway.com. Teams and drivers are encouraged to contact the track office by phone (860-684-2783), via email ([email protected]), or on social media with any questions.
2020 Pro Late Model Registration
When I hear the words “pro late model” I think of tube frame composite bodied cars with built motors, not crate motors, or sealed motors. Since when did racing become ” affordable” if people want an affordable hobby they should take up knitting, not racing. And what’s with the 6 tire B.S., not even 2 sets of tires, what happens if you get a flat on one of the 2 tires you didn’t buy?
All the credit to you Rob p for drawing conclusions because I can’t make hide nor hare of any of it. I’ve read the ACT rules and Maine tracks who specialize in LM’s as well as Seekongs LM and Pro Stock rules. What a mishmash of alternatives. Now Stafford has it’s alternatives and weight compensation and forget about the chassis differences.
That makes it all the more compelling to see who shows up,where they came from and how they perform.
Teams will buy 4 practice tires. The 4 tires should be all they need for an 80 lap race so the two spares are one left and one right. The technology in the pro stocks are light years ahead of the Modifieds. The have shown over the last 10-12 years that you don’t need a ton of power. You need your corner speed and buy having less power you don’t burn the right rear off. Mod teams haven’t figured this out yet. Biggest thing for the prostocks is what is allowed for shocks, bump stops and rear arm configuration.
I’m not going to say either mods of LM’s are better because it’s obviously an individual choice. What I’m seeing however is that the Pro/LM/ Super variants are series that seem to want uniformity but end up in complete chaos. Pass has 10 engine options. The logic to using the ZZ4 engine intended for street applications escapes me. There’s two variants of 604 engines that can be used in stock configurations or with all the do dads RPM adds to them as the approved engine distributor. The Seekonk Pro Stocks allow built engines and the Late Models have numerous grandfather exceptions to the chassis’s.
Say what you will about modifieds they gravitate to a more homogeneous engine, chassis configuration based on series and division.
We’re going to need a Pro Late Model whisperer to get us up to speed before the Stafford Open. Engines, chassis’s, different engines and weights. It’s chaos to the uneducated fan.
Doug, Nascar Monster Cup uses cookie cutter cars, lets leave local racing alone. Nice to see car,engine builders and teams be creative. The average fan doesn’t give a damn , what motor or chassis teams are using, good racing sells tickets. That’s why they call it an Open show !
Doug the prostocks/ super latemodel s are no more confusion with there engine combos/weight then the MRS and even more so with the Tri track. Some mods only steel roofs are allowed, some fiberglass. Some series run the spec motor other mod series let different steel heads or aluminum head and the weights are different for each. Having worked on both super latemodels and Mods I see the biggest difference is the tire wear on mods is terrible. The teams rely on tires much more in mods especially the right rear. Where prostocks are more of a 4 wheel race car do to the shocks/ bumps/spring’s allowed to run.
Different combinations of rules is nothing new, I am not sure why some people are so shocked. During the 1970’s through mid 80’s Oxford Opens\Oxford 250’s you could literally race a NASCAR Busch Series\Late Model Sportsman car vs an ASA style Camaro with the option of running a V-8 or V-6 engine during part of that period.
Trump will fix it. Trump fixes everything, and all by himself no less.
And if Trump can’t fix it, there’s always Dareal.
OK guys let’s dial it back a bit. Yes to everything everyone has said. Except Seekonk fan. I’m pretty sure a typical Seekonk fan knows the difference between a Late Model and a Pro Stock. I’m pretty sure the typical Stafford fan knows the difference between an SK and SK Light. We’re not as dumb as you may think.
Fact is people that compete gravitate to the combination allowed by whatever rules that are in affect. I’m thinking the TTOMS that allows spec engines but the participants are mostly gravitating to the 18 degree engines because it gives them the greatest flexibility to race a regional events.
All I’m trying to do is between now and when the Open takes place know a little bit more about who the teams are, where they come from, what rules they race under and the weight restrictions they have. If you’re not interested don’t be but don’t be saying no one is interested in it.
PS- what’s wrong with burning up tires and integrating tire management into the race drama. It’s about competition, passing on the outside as well as inside and not the tire conservation 100.
Listing of cars has started. An ACT guy with a new chassis, an old Stafford LM driver, Bryan Narducci gets to dust off his LLM experience and Cory Casagrande no surprise. Good start. It will be interesting seeing where the teams are coming from.
Modified Open list started and good news. The dust up Goodale had in the last Open apparently is in the past and he’s in hopefully. Gotta have Goodale.