(Press release from Stafford Speedway)
When the green flag falls on the 2020 season at Stafford Speedway, 14-year-old Daltin McCarthy will kick off his first full season of competition at the Connecticut half-mile facility. The Oxford, MA native and Wild Thing Karts graduate is a 2nd generation driver and 3rd generation from his family to be involved in racing. The youngster has his sights set on winning the Street Stock Rookie of the Year award in 2020.
“I’m definitely hoping that we can win Rookie of the Year and maybe get a podium finish or two by the end of the year,” said McCarthy. “We’ll see where we fall in the points standings. We’re not worried about racing for points to finish high up in the standings, we’re going to be more focused on learning the car and the track. I think it’s going to come down to how quickly I can get used to the car at the start of the season and I’m hoping that it won’t take me very long. If we could win Rookie of the Year and get a couple of podium finishes, that would be a good season for us. I’m looking forward to it a lot, I think it’s going to be an interesting season moving up from the karts.”
McCarthy follows in the footsteps of his father Stu, who raced SK Modifieds® from the early ‘90s to the early 2000’s, his two Uncles Scott and Steve, who both raced Late Models, and his grandfather, “Tootie” McCarthy, who built modified engines for cars all up and down the east coast. As McCarthy progresses through his rookie season, having his family experience to lean on will be a big help in accelerating his learning curve.
“It’s definitely cool to have my whole family between my Dad and my Uncles involved because their experience is going to be a big help,” said McCarthy. “My Uncle Steve and Uncle Scott along with my Dad have all been drivers so they all know what it takes to be fast.”
McCarthy is the latest driver to make the move from Wild Thing Karts into the NASCAR Weekly Racing Series at Stafford. Over 30 drivers have made the transition from the karts to the Stafford’s NASCAR Weekly Racing Series, including track champions Ronnie Williams, Marcello Rufrano, and George Bessette, Jr., as well as two former weekly racers who have won Stafford championships, Cory Casagrande and Frank L’Etoile, Jr.
“I think racing karts is a big help because it teaches you how to race and how to race with other cars around you,” said McCarthy. “You just have to learn that you’re in a new car and it’s a new style of racing from karts.”
McCarthy’s quest to claim Rookie of the Year honors in 2020 will be aided by the fact that McCarthy has purchased the former #39 Street Stock car that helped carry George Bessette, Jr. to 10 Street Stock wins from 2017-2019 as well as the 2018 Street Stock championship.
“That’s going to be big for us because we already know it’s a great car and chassis and there shouldn’t be a lot of things for us to change on the car,” said McCarthy. “It’s definitely exciting knowing that the car has won a championship already at Stafford.”
McCarthy got an introduction to Street Stock competition at Stafford by making his debut in the season ending NAPA Fall Final this past September. McCarthy finished 19th after retiring from the race in the early stages, but the experience laid the foundation for what McCarthy can expect in 2020.
“I definitely learned a lot but with the new rule changes that we have for the 2020 season, it’s going to be a lot different,” said McCarthy. “I’ll be able to take some things I learned with me into 2020 but it’s going to be a lot different so the first couple of practice sessions with the Open Sizzler practice and the Sizzler Weekend are going to be very important for us. I’m counting down the days to the Sizzler and I can’t wait to get started!”
The 2020 Street Stock season will kick off at the 49th Annual NAPA Spring Sizzler® on April 24-26. Tickets for the “Greatest Race in the History of Spring” are on sale now by calling the Speedway Box Office 860-684-2783 or online at www.staffordspeedway.com.
For more information, visit www.staffordspeedway.com, checkout Stafford Speedway on Facebook or Twitter, or contact the track office at 860-684-2783. For additional information about the Wild Thing Kart Series please visit their website, www.wildthingkarts.com.
Chalk up another success story for Staffords pipeline of talent going from Kart’s to the big show on Friday nights. Yet another diaper dandy that hasn’t learned to shave yet strapping into a major piece of racing equipment looking to go 90 miles an hour in competition before learning to drive safely on the highways and byways with we civilians. Put a pin in this kid because he may navigate the learning curve really quickly.
Ya know Stafford fans that Pro Late Model deal may turn into something. So far they have 5 teams signed in. More a good start then momentous but it’s an interesting mix. I just get the feeling there are a bunch of ACT legal cars that have wanted to race at Stafford and now will get the chance. We’ll see.
Given what I’ve read, Dalton should be a strong presence on track by the middle of the season. He’s got a few things going for him. He recently purchased “mad pup” Bessettes championship winning car. His Dad Stu, and his uncle’s have been in racing a long time, Steve runs SPM Chassis, and has built some very fast cars through the years. The McCarthy’s a a great bunch of guys, and will support Dalton both on and off track. Hope he comes out strong, and finds victory lane quickly, and with his family’s support behind him I really think it will happen. Good Luck Dalton, and remember to have fun with your dad, and uncles, because in the end that’s what it’s all about.
Hi Doug,
Just to be accurate, the drivers don´t get into the 90 mph bracket until they hit the sk lites. 20.00 seconds = 90.00 mph on the 1/2 mile track at Stafford. So we will see how long it takes him to move up to that division.
Good news is Megan Fuller is back in the Streets. The bad news they couldn’t swing a move up to the SK Lights.
No disappointments in the SK Lights with thirty five plus cars so far registered. Are you kidding me. Including two addition Chapman/My Three Sons cars registering numbers. What’s going on there. The chicks are back and Bert Ouellette may be running Stafford on a regular basis in the 51.
I love that division!
Good luck Daltin!
Hey Sharpie Fan,
Average lap speed for Streets is in 75 to 80 mph range as near as I can reckon. I was referring to a top speed that as I recall was 90 plus.
Chapman went right to an SK Lighs and won rookie of the year. I don’t know if the young age played any part in the decision to do Streets first but personally I think it’s a good move. Clearly I’m biased but I think Streets are much harder to navigate then SK Lights. Groove and hitting your marks is critical with that one drive wheel deal. You do well in a Street Stock and an SK Light must feel like you’re glued to the track in comparison.
What a nice write up! Once you meet Daltin you will see he is a well mannered, very talented and smart young man. Father and brothers are probably one of the nicest and most talented people in this crazy sport. Sounds like its going to be an exciting season!!