(Press Release from Granite State Pro Stock Series)
Series Is Part of NAPA Opening Day at Connecticut Oval
After nearly six months away from the track, the Granite State Pro Stock Series debuts at Stafford Motor Speedway on Saturday, April 24 — opening a 15-race slate for the New Hampshire-based touring series in 2021.
The series will help open Stafford’s new season in front of fans in the grandstands and across the country through a new partnership Stafford has with FloSports — airing the race live as part of a subscription to FloSports.TV. A stout entry list, including former Granite State Pro Stock Series champions and winners, former Super Late Model winners, Stafford Motor Speedway champions and regulars, along with others has been assembled and with other 25 drivers planning to attend.
“We’re excited to debut at Stafford in such a historic event like their NAPA opening weekend,” Mike Parks, president of the Granite State Pro Stock Series, said. “The entry list for this race is stacked with top talent, which will produce exciting racing at the half-mile. We look forward to showcasing our series to the Connecticut race fans and kicking-off what will be a busy season for the Granite State Pro Stock Series.”
Leading the entry list are five former series champions: Joey Pole (2020), Joey Dorion (2019), Devin O’Connell (2018), Mike O’Sullivan (two-time champion) and Derek Griffith (2015). Pole, who is coming off a title and a stout year of competition, looks to begin the chase for a second straight at a track where he has no previous laps. Griffith is coming off three victories in his first four Pro All Star Series races of the season and a championship at the World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing at New Smyrna Speedway in February. O’Sullivan, a former Stafford winner and regular, is hoping to use the home-track advantage en route to success.
Behind them, a strong contingent of outsiders look to steal the show. Multiple-time ARCA Menards Series East winner Eddie MacDonald, and Super Late Model standout DJ Shaw are joined by former Stafford Limited Late Model champion Cory Casagrande and former American-Canadian Tour and Lee USA Speedway winner Bryan Kruczek. Alexander Pearl, a former Stafford SK Light Modified winner and Jeremy Sorel, a former Stafford SK Light Modified champion, are also on the entry list. Adam Gray, who won the Late Model title at Stafford in 2020, is returning to Granite State competition to compete in his father, Barry Gray’s, familiar No. 29 machine.
Don’t sleep on two former Seekonk Speedway champions either: David Darling and Angelo Belsito. Darling, who has seven titles in Seekonk’s premier class, and Belsito, the 2015 Seekonk Pro Stock champion and multiple-time Granite State Pro Stock Series winner, are both coming to chase the $3,000 grand prize in line for the winner.
Add defending series Rookie of the Year Casey Call, veterans Josh King, Mike Mitchell, Mike Scorzelli and Luke Hinckley, Tyler Tomassi, Kevin Casper and others and you have a full field of talent. Lebanon Valley Speedway dirt Pro Stock driver Rick Duzklak is making his series debut at Stafford on the asphalt.
Joining the Granite State Pro Stock Series, Stafford’s premiere SK Modifieds will compete in a 40-lap race, along with the Late Models, Limited Late Models and Street Stocks. The Saturday portion of the weekend is just the beginning of a full slate of action at the half-mile in 2021.
A limited amount of grandstand tickets are still available for purchase through staffordmotorspeedway.com/tickets. General admission tickets are $35 for adults, with children ages 6-14 just $10. All children five and under will be admitted free to the grandstands. Pit passes are also available online at the same website. Stafford is encouraging all fans and team members to purchase passes ahead due to COVID-19 restrictions from the state of Connecticut and the potential to sell-out the event. All COVID guidelines are in place for the safety of all.
For more information on the Granite State Pro Stock Series, visit gspss.net and follow on social media. For more information on Stafford Motor Speedway, visit StaffordMotorSpeedway.com and follow their social media channels.
Rocco, Gray and Fearn. I had high hopes for their chances to show the Super Late Model guys a thing or two. Rocco especially with all his Late Model experience, knowledge and tenacity. He did after all put together a tour modified and win almost immediately in the Stafford opens.
The home boys aren’t in Kansas anymore, these aren’t modifieds or Late Models and it’s unlikely they’ll be leading much of anything for very long. I’ve learned my lesson. The Stafford regulars are all pulling double duty and the main event is dabbling for them. Rocco is up to his eyeballs in his own car and those he’s providing for others and KRR setup consultation. These Super Late Model guys aren’t dabbling in other things, they know what they’re doing and know how to go very fast on any track after enough practice.
Griffith for obvious reasons has to be the favorite but there are plenty of heavy hitters fully capable of spoiling his victory lane plans. I don’t think any of the home boys will be in that mix but hopefully they can compete in the top ten.
Doug,
Rocco and Fearn have both dropped out of the event.
And you heard it here first because as of the time I am writing this they are still on the race roster.
Thinking out loud here. If you’re introducing a new audience to a racing series is it really appropriate to call Joey Polewarczyk by his familiar shortened version?