STAFFORD – Parity at the front continued to be the theme of the SK Modified division in 2021 at Stafford Speedway on Friday.
Chase Dowling held off the charges of Marcello Rufrano and Mike Christopher Jr. to win the 40-lap SK Modified feature Friday at Stafford Speedway.
Dowling, of Roxbury, became the fifth different winner in five SK Modified events at Stafford this year.
Christopher, of Wolcott, was second and Rufrano, of North Haven, third.
Dowling got by Bryan Narducci for the lead on lap seven.
On a lap 23 restart Michael Gervais got by Dowling for the lead off of turn two on the outside. Heading into turn three Rufrano got to the outside of Dowling and Gervais while Dowling found the inside lane on Gervais. They came off turn four three-wide to the frontstretch, rolling that way through turns one and two. Rufrano powered off the outside lane off of turn two to clear both Gervais and Dowling for the lead.
With 13 laps remaining Dowling was able to find the line under Rufrano into turn three to grab the top spot back for good.
“The restarts kept me on my toes,” Dowling said. “We were getting pushed from behind a lot. It made the outside guys think I was trying to go and I wasn’t and I was trying to wait for the [restart] box. A lot of pushing and shoving. I kind of lost it on the restart there and just got beat on the restart. Came back and held strong and got by Rufrano and just kind of put my head up.”
Kevin Gambacorta went by John Blake for the lead on lap 14 and never trailed again on the way to victory in the 30-lap Late Model feature.
It was the 18th career Late Model division win for Gambacorta, of Ellington.
Andrew Molleur of Shelton was second and Blake, of North Haven, third.
Alexandra Fearn of East Longmeadow, Mass. got her second victory in four starts this season in the 20-lap Limited Late Model feature.
Jeremy Lavoie of Windsor Locks was second and Rich Hammann of Tolland third.
Frank L’Etoile passed Adrien Paradis for the lead on the outside off turn two on lap 18 and went on to win the 20-lap Street Stock feature.
It was the second consecutive victory for L’Etoile, of Wethersfield.
Paradis, of Plainville, was second and Chris Meyer of North Haven third.
Congrats to Chase and the 22 team for the SK win. Congrats to Kevin and the 23 team for the LM win. Good job by all.
Only 22 SK MOD”S this week ?
I heard Ronnie Williams is out at the 50 car. Results aren’t there so why waste your time and money. Anyone know who will replace him? Ronnie back to a family car?
Well good for Chase. He and that team sure needed a win for sure. Dodge said they went through the car completely during the week and combined with a favorable starting position and some nifty strategic racing from a good driver it was just what the doctor ordered.
I’m still star struck buy Hines. All those years. So many races starting up front and getting run over by cars that were faster. Unsuccessfully trying to keep from losing positions but ultimately losing them and grinding away in obscurity. The shoe is on the other foot now thanks to Tick Mike. He’s the one people are trying to hold off and not very successfully.
Starting 10th that 85 car was fast and moved up nicely in perfect position to contend for the win but surely a podium in any event………again. Dad gum it what happened was just freaky being so close to the front and completely unnecessary. Yet Hines took it in stride in the post wreck interview when he had every right to tee off. That’s one cool cat. He’ll be back.
Great runs by Owen and Ruffrano but Christopher comes from the parking lot and was the fastest car. Kind of shocking as Rocco is checkers or wreckers this year, a jingle magnet and that new 50 car Williams is driving continues to be something it hasn’t been like forever……meh!
So without having one single kernel of information I’m going to say it would be a shock for Williams to divorce from the 50. From SK’s to tour modified open shows to the NWMT car the Williams and Skowyra operation is not driver/owner they are partners. I’d bet Williams has been doing a lot of pouting in the last two years but a split? That would be shocking.
22 sk’s – these things are too expensive to be running weekly for the sub par purse. It’s a shame that Stafford pays visiting modified shows better than the weekly guys. They need to increase the payout 11th and below so the owners can afford to show up every week. – it cost $500-600 to just come thru the gate every week and they pay $150 for last and they pay $660 to the open mods…. I just don’t get it.
Doug wrote, “So without having one single kernel of information I’m going to say…”
Thanks for saying that, but it goes without saying.