The 2021 racing season has turned out to be a year of changing seats for Stafford Speedway SK Modified driver Bryan Narducci.
Friday the Colchester driver will join with his third team owner of the season in the SK Modified division at Stafford. The hope for all involved is that it will be a new relationship that will go the distance.
The Petty Cash Motorsports SK Modified team made a big splash with their arrival this year at Stafford Speedway. Driver Tyler Hines scored his first career victory in the season opening event at Stafford driving for the new team.
The new team, operated by TickMike.com owners Mike Meyhoefer and Ginny DeLuca, has proven that the season opening win was no fluke for the new outfit. After 13 SK Modified events this year Hines sits fourth in the division standings with two victories and seven top-five finishes.
Now Petty Cash Motorsports will add another full-time team at Stafford with Narducci joining Hines as the second driver in the team’s stable.
“I helped [Narducci] out when he was in a Limited Late Model when he first started,” Meyhoefer said. “I believe the kid can drive if he’s in a good piece.”
Narducci ran his rookie season in the SK Modified division at Stafford driving in a car he owned out of Todd Owen’s shop. The pair parted ways in the offseason and Narducci began the 2021 season competing for team owner Billy “Bear” Calicchio. Callicchio fired Narducci in mid-June after eight events together. In his first start after being released by Calicchio, Narducci won his first career SK Modified feature at Stafford on June 18 driving for Keith Rocco Racing. He has made three additional starts for the Keith Rocco Racing.
Narducci said he was approached by the Meyhoefer family about the ride and he consulted with Rocco.
“The deal was a really good deal,” Narducci said. “There’s no reason not to do it. I like Keith and I like what I had with Keith. I want to make sure that I keep that going between him and I. Keith told me I should go for it.
“I really just am thankful to Mike, Ginny and Tyler [Meyhoefer] for making this happen.”
Meyhoefer said he is committed to Narducci for the remainder of the 2021 season and the full 2022 season.
“What we’re doing for the rest of this year is we’re putting Bryan in the No. 73,” Meyhoefer said. “No strings attached. We don’t want money from him or anything and he can concentrate on just going out and driving it.
“The bottom line is, we’re going to see what the kid has got. I’m going to do it this year and next year and if it works out we’re going to continue it into the future. I like Bryan. He’s a good kid, he doesn’t start trouble.”
Said Narducci: “It’s definitely nice to know with Mike that he wants to do something this year and beyond. Going into next year I don’t have stress about what I’ll be doing. That’s a really good feeling.”
The Petty Cash Motorsports team was a surprise to many in the pits at Stafford this year. The team got off the ground with the help of Keith Rocco Racing and the offseason focus of team members JJ Vece and Ryan Bergenty.
“A lot of people think that our car goes fast because of Ryan Bergenty – and he has been a big help – but I’ll be honest with you, it’s JJ Vece that sets this car up every week and he is the reason why we’re fast,” Meyhoefer said. “JJ doesn’t get enough credit for what he does. He’s the guy that has the duties to make the thing go.”
Meyhoefer said both of his SK Modified teams will continue to be affiliated with Keith Rocco Racing.
“Thank you to Keith for all the help he gives us,” Meyhoefer said. “And it’s not necessarily about setting the car up. It’s anything we need, that guy is there for us. And we will continue to do business with Keith as our main guy in the future.”
It’s just never boring with this kid. First year in the SK Lights the championship boils down to he and Rufrano and they wreck at the end of the last race. Next year it’s checkers or wreckers with a pile of wins, disqualifications and a disappointing finish in the points. On to the SK’s with a Chassis Pro car and the first season a learning one but apparently not what young Bryan was looking for. Then the Bear’s car, a burst of optimism at the start, bent up equipment, disappointing results and ends after only 8 races. Then the blue moon on June 18th in the Rocco rental with a win that probably was one of the most unexpected ever in the SK’s. Followed by an 8th, then the dust up and suspension, returning for a 14th, 22nd and a 12th. Now this.
“I believe the kid can drive if he’s in a good piece. Not in secondhand stuff, but in a good car.”
That seems a little harsh. Poor results based on the Chassis Pro, whatever the Bear was using and Rocco’s 83. If you say so.
“The bottom line is, we’re going to see what the kid has got.”
Again OK if you say so but isn’t that what’s been taking place the last year and a half with 3 different cars?
If a guy is going to put his money where his mouth is and spend a pile of it and commit to a year and half to Narducci he sure in his heart of hearts thinks he’s got what it takes. I don’t get why a newer team with a journeyman driver in the hunt to a championship for the first time ever water down their effort with a purely speculative move at a critical time but as a fan why would I care. This simply adds another layer of drama to a season that has been completely unpredictable and one of the best in SK history in my view.
Dougy or Rodger or whoever you are! Sit back and watch you probably laughed at Hines too LOL. You are the SK King!
I certainly can understand your reaction Tick Mike although a little surprised at employing play ground taunts with the Dougy deal. This Rodger you mention I have no idea who that would be.
If you take a breath and read what I wrote again you’ll realize that while you might not appreciate what was said I’m pretty aware of Bryan’s career and got most of the events factually correct. How is being an informed, engaged fan become a bad thing?
If you can tell me I got something wrong factually please correct it by all means. Otherwise it’s one opinion of one fan that will not affect your effort with a guy I think most of us cheer for on some level. If you’re implying there is not a high level of drama always circulating around your new driver that was the point of my comment then I think that might be a tough argument to make.
I certainly appreciate all that you bring to racing at Stafford. You know doubt hate ignorant comments from fans but you proved racers can be ignorant as well jumping to conclusions. I certainly have never rooted against of mocked Tyler or any other racer for sheer joy of making sport of them. I appreciate every single one putting on the show having raced at one time as a journeyman in the Streets many years ago. This year reveling in Tyler’s and your success.
Might also be good if you decide to comment think about taking the high road to put people like me in my place. Not behave like one of we denizen’s of the forum with as many opinions as pie holes and not investing any time to think it through.
You know I don’t think Doug is that off the mark with the points he made in his post. To be fair to Bryan, Stafford has to have the steepest learning curve of any SK track in the northeast.
First, im not gonna get into any pissing matches with Doug or anyone else! My family and i have ‘ tried’ to help numerous drivers over the years from sponsorship to contests to even helping drivers get there starts in cars maybe they couldn’t afford. We now are helping another kid many like – some dislike. Shawn wrote this article today and certian things were taken out of context. We appreciate what everyone has done for us! This article was ment to say one thing Brian Narducci will be driving our race car if the article offended ANYONE please accept my apology.
Tick Mike, thanks for supporting the development of a high potential driver. This is a remarkable gesture in these weird and trying times, specifically the COVID-19 PANDEMIC. 😷 How this turns out can and will represent you and stick with you for years to come. How do you want to be remembered? .
If they can put the set-up that they run in the 85 car, results should be good for Brian. Don’t know if the 73 is a new car or old car? But it seem to run pretty good when Tyler drove it on SRX night.
TickMike, thanks for the support of young drivers. I think that New England is underrated when it comes to Motorsports, but look at drivers from the Northeast – Joey Logano, Ryan Preese, Steve Park (before my time, but my dad said he was underrated), the Bodines, LaJoie.
I’d love to see more New Englanders race in NASCAR and maybe the SKs are one of the stepping Stones.
Doug is right, point after point after point. Especially when he said it will add drama.
“…he doesn’t start trouble.” Yeah, all the wrecks, disqualifications, bent racecars, and spinning competitors are always someone else’s fault. This kid drives like there is no-one else on the track. “Just look out, coming through.”
I believe the 73 is an ex-Prestige/DiPisa car. Not sure if it dates back to the TC days with Prestige(?).
Just to clarify some stupid remarks made by Doug….the only thing he got out of the Bear ride was taken for money and he only bent the RF once. The Rocco deal showed his true potential. After he won the first race in the 83, he had to run 50-100 lap old tires in every race thereafter because of the tire shortage and him not having any tires in his bank. Which we all thought he did extremely well with! Doug being the smart guy he is should have investigated this first before flapping his gums. We appreciate Tic Mike for giving Bryan the opportunity to prove what he’s got!!! And to getserious, I guess there has to be some haters out there somewhere. Enjoy the races everyone! Even if you’re not a fan of Bryan, he’ll at least make a race exciting!
🤣🤣😝😝😝🤣😝😝😝
Florida Connection wrote, “Just to clarify some stupid remarks made by Doug….”
Doug, do you feel insulted?
Favorable or not I always appreciate it when people involved with a driver or team weigh in. First it shows they are tracking the comments on RaceDayCt and second it’s an indirect endorsement of the sites value to the racing community.
Florida Connection
“.the only thing he got out of the Bear ride was taken for money and he only bent the RF once”
Doug
“Then the Bear’s car, a burst of optimism at the start, bent up equipment, disappointing results and ends after only 8 races.”
You confirmed the bent up equipment, the results were obviously not up to expectations and the relationship ended prematurely. You’re bitter about the money that’s clear but what I said was correct.
Florida Connection
” The Rocco deal showed his true potential. After he won the first race in the 83, he had to run 50-100 lap old tires in every race thereafter because of the tire shortage and him not having any tires in his bank. Which we all thought he did extremely well with!”
Doug
“. Then the blue moon on June 18th in the Rocco rental with a win that probably was one of the most unexpected ever in the SK’s. Followed by an 8th, then the dust up and suspension, returning for a 14th, 22nd and a 12th.”
If the Rocco deal showed his true potential then why not stay in that ride? I could understand taking offense at the blue moon reference because it’s subjective. Otherwise my observations were simply what happened. If you don’t like mentioning that’s on you.
Florida Connection
“Doug being the smart guy he is should have investigated this first before flapping his gums. ”
First it’s writing not flapping gums but point taken. What I said was factually correct and other then insults and juvenile taunts you haven’t mentioned one thing I got wrong.
Florida Connection
“We appreciate Tic Mike for giving Bryan the opportunity to prove what he’s got!!! ”
Of course you do and I appreciate everything the Meyhoefer family does for racing at Stafford from individuals to events as well as their support for this publication.
It’s been 4 rides in a year and a half. You were optimistic for the Chassis Pro ride, Bear, Rocco and now this new opportunity. You’re family and friends, you’re spending tens of thousands of dollars to see Bryan succeed you should be supportive in every sense of the word.
None of that makes what I said wrong nor did I insult anybody, especially Bryan in any way. You inferred insults simply wanting to read only supportive commentary.
I don’t think Bryan is a budding superstar at all nor a menace or any other hyperbolic extreme. He’s a work in progress and average in my view still ascending the learning curve. He’s clearly become more strategic and disciplined since the Light days and that’s progress.
So far from the Florida Connection and Petty Cash Motorsports I’ve had to endure Dougy, an assumption I’m some guy named Roger, I supposedly laughed at Hines when he was struggling, mocked as the SK king, pissing contest, my stupid remarks, and not investigating before flapping my gums
Justin Bonsignor, Alexandra Fearn, Goeff Nooney and Tony Membrino are some of the drivers that have responded in the forum and got their ideas across in a well spoken manner without using insults or taunts. You could learn a thing or two from them.
Doug, are you feeling insulted?
Or do you prefer to be addressed as Mr. Scumbag?
Atomic ☢️, see what I mean about a hair trigger on the victim card? 🤣😝🤣😝🤣
Poor Doug. Yet some how….Some way….You find the Courage to go on.
….and being called “Dougy”…. That has to be a Felony.
Hmm, am I feeling insulted, good question. I don’t think I ever feel insulted in this forum. The playground recess stuff is certainly not offensive in any way they aren’t whole thoughts. Were the people I value most to be critical I wouldn’t be insulted about that either. I’d try to see their side of it and if wrong make corrections as necessary. You two darealgoodfella and The Atomic Punk have apparently joined forces as like minds. Not only am I not offended by that I’m actually a bit honored for the elevation of status and happy each of you has found a new play mate.
What I am most concerned about today is the New England Patriots game tonight. I bet Bryan Narducci who is also a Pat’s fan and I could have a good conversation about that. So what do you thin Bryan, Cam Newton or Mac Jones?
I like to consider myself a football nerd as well as a racing nerd. Each night I listen to two hours of Evan Lazar and Alex Barth go on about the minutia of the days Patriots practice. Right now the two new, highly paid tight ends are nursing dings and can’t practice. They will be ready for opening day but missing practice reps will surely set them back integrating into the complex Patriots system.
In the Cam vs Mack competition I’m neutral. It would be nice to see Cam start for his loyalty and doing all the right things but in the end we want the best QB to run the revamped offense.
Have fun you two scamps with your new partnership. It’s one team I surely would never want to be on.
Doug… unlike you, I do some research before I comment. Like Tick Mike said, I’m not going to get into a pissing match. Been following all of Shawns articles and reading the comments. You comment on just about all of them, picking apart stuff that you have no idea what you’re talking about in most of them! I just shake my head and wait for you to get called out on them. To be clear, I wasn’t for Bryan owning a car last year and I warned him about the Bear deal before it even started! Don’t know who you are referring to as scamps because you’re all over the place between football and racing! Enjoy the races, if you even go!
OK so you warned Bryan about Bear and you’re bitter about the money you gave him with no results to show for it. Interesting but how does that make me wrong about Bryan’s career time line?
Yes I do comment on a lot of stuff, I’m a fan of racing, follow it closely and pay a monthly amount in support of RaceDayCt. I can’t respond to your criticism of being wrong all the time because it’s generic with no specifics so we’ll just put that into the pissing contest category you say you don’t want to get in but do a very good impression of it.
Everything I commented on with regard to races I saw. I followed it closely and the simple fact I mentioned specific finishes clearly shows I did my homework. You don’t want to get into a pissing contest yet you’re here with a big stream of insults and taunts so even that you’re being disingenuous about.
We’ll agree to disagree. I think you Florida Connection love your driver as well you should and the mere mention of his record particulars including those that are not terribly flattering or mediocre just tick you off so it’s shoot the messenger but I did get the career time line essentially correct.
It get’s a little tedious with thin skinned team members getting all up in arms about what amounts to a factual recitation of a drivers exploits and throwing out the hater label which certainly does no t apply to me. Loyal, fan of Stafford since 1980 and an old Street Stocker but certainly no hater. I’ve said countless things positive about Bryan and other drivers, teams and owners and yet in never fails. You ignore all the good and go on the war path about what you perceive as unflattering.