STAFFORD – The SK Modified division at Stafford Speedway is recognized by many across short track racing as one of the deepest and most talented divisions in the country.
In 2021 the competition on the track is proving that just how deep that talent goes. Through the first five races of the 2021 season there had been five different winners.
Friday that number went to six winners in six races.
Ronnie Williams of Tolland held off the late charges of Stephen Kopcik to win the 40-lap SK Modified feature Friday at Stafford.
It was the first victory of the season for Williams of Tolland. The last win for the two-time division champion came on July 24 of last season.
“We were able to get up there pretty quick,” Williams said. “On the last restart Kopcik had a really fast car. Still gotta do a little bit more here, but I’m glad we got … back in victory lane. It’s been a while.”
Kopcik, of Newtown, was second and Teddy Hodgdon IV was third.
Williams joined Kopcik, Tyler Hines, Keith Rocco, Mike Christopher Jr. and Chase Dowling as SK Modified winners this year at Stafford.
Williams got by Hodgdon for the lead on lap 14 and never trailed again. Kopcik moved to second on lap 27. Kopcik fought one the outside of Williams following a lap 33 restart and then pestered his bumper for the closing laps.
“We were pretty good, but not good enough,” Kopcik said. “Still damn good, nothing to hang your head about. I’ve just to thank all my guys that help me. … It was good racing with Ronnie there. Stafford is a tough place to be. Six races, six different winners. Proud to be racing here.”
Said Hodgdon: “I knew we had a lot of speed coming into tonight. Led a bunch of laps there which was awesome. I can finally say I did that. Just ran out of steam at the end. Once Ronnie got by me I knew it was going to be hard to get him.”
Congrats to Ronnie, Adam, Lea and the whole #50 team. Great Job 👍👍
That race had Ronnie Williams written all over it didn’t it? Ninth not an ideal starting spot but compared to most of the heavy hitters buried deep in the field not bad at all. Took Kopcik’s shot without flinching but then again Stephen could have planted it deeper into the corner if he was really serious about testing the 50.
The two fastest cars came in one and two. Kopcik just a terrific race and he’s starting to have the finishes and consistency needed to vie for the championship.
Nice night for Hodgdon and Narducci this race able to stay at the front of the field with the best of them.. Owen quietly charging from 17th to 4th. Tyler the third fastest car but you can’t be hitting a car driven by an Arute and expect them to say it’s just good hard racing.
How tough are the SK’s? Christopher had a great race passing 12 cars and finished 9th and how many times do we see Rocco actually struggle all night long?
It’s a good thing they have stages for the big paying special race next Saturday night because the top 15 cars are competing in a window of only two tenths of a second difference.
” If a driver can win all 3 stages while going back to 15th after stage 1 and 10thafter stage 2, they will take home a total of $10,000.”
That is not even a remote possibility.
Stafford SK Modified racing is extremely competitive.
NASCAR can learn from the SK Mods.
Stafford understands Modified racing, and they know how to provide what the customers want.
Great job Stafford Speedway!!!!
Is it me, or are some of the “aggressive” driving penalties seem a little ticky tack
Arute had the save of the night. Hines booted him to west Stafford. Easy call from race control
Enough of Stafford, first leg of Waterford Fast 5 tonight! And theres that so called chip again Doug!
Let me catch you up Earl. First it’s an article about the racing at Stafford Speedway located in Stafford Connecticut. Half mile track, home of the SK’s and pretty well run. Maybe you’ve heard of it. Second the Speedbowl has pretty much made it clear that they are not going to use RaceDayCt as a promotion outlet for their races. Contact Bruce Bemer, care of the Waterford Speedbowl if you would like to see that policy changed.
If you’re not packing for your move to anywhere but Connecticut you can follow the race by going to the Speedbowl, viewing the races and bust everybody’s chops that didn’t go including mine. If you can’t go you can follow it on Race Monitor. Moreover the Speedbowl may have listened to Mr Courchesne’s scolding about not using free Facebook to promote races because they are plastering all kinds of stuff about the event tonight. Facebook Earl is a social media site that’s too complicated to explain here but you’re a smart guy so you can figure out how it will help you follow the racing at your favorite track. The one you’re moving three quarters across the country because frankly you have greater priorities then racing in the Nutmeg State. Did I say I wouldn’t mention that? I lied.
On race monitor you’ll see there are about 22 cars and the leading car in group qualifying is Cory DiMatteo. Rocco, Christopher, Owen and Swanson are there so it’s not the high water mark of last year but it’s a good field. Actually it nearer to a typical field at a Stafford regular show but for the Speedbowl that’s fine. You’ll recall Stafford is the speedway I mentioned previously.
Later tonight I’ll be glued to the MRS race at Monadnock on Speed51. Speed51 televises races Earl and carries a lot of tour modified content if you’re interested. If you have any questions on how to sign up I’d be happy to help you out. I’m sure the modified fan base will be bitching about the entrants for the race with only the 25 as the heavy hitter of note but it will be a great race for the Northern tier of modifieds.
Go ahead and mention my name Earl anytime you like. I’ve had a hard day, am sitting on on ice cold Broad Brook Brewery Hopsillo and am prepared bore you to tears if you want to play darts.
🍿 🍿 🍿 🍿
You what I like Doug? Cranking you up and it don’t take much to do it 😀.
Amen to that brother. You have no idea what floats around in my head and I gotta tell you it’s not a pretty sight.
I have some time to kill before the MRS race at Monadnock so this is what’s on my mind.
“Came through PA on Tuesday & Wednesday weather was good and the roads 80, 81 and 84 all clean and green except for some minor construction delays. No drunks in sight.
Hopefully they can get the show in this weekend. Too bad my trip was not a several days later or I would have taken the race in regardless of the day.?
I got a chuckle out of that one for sure. Cold, wet and old Earl is taking a detour to watch a race at Jennerstown that involves a series that to be generous is not on your most favorites list. Pretty funny huh.
“It’s all about the approach”. Where did I read that. Hmmm, it will come to me. Anyway it is about the approach. You were throwing a dart about the drunks but it has to be believable and you sounded like Sapienza pushing it too far. By the way how’s that Sapienza boycott going. Turns out no one cares.
Did you read my last post on Mike Sr. racing the 82 at Stafford Earl Did I nail it or what?
It’s feature time at the Speedbowl. Mike Christopher leads 10 laps in and The Roc for second under caution.