STAFFORD – In 2020 at Stafford Speedway Frank L’Etoile started only 10 of 14 Street Stock events at Stafford Speedway and still found a way to finish fifth in the division’s standings.
That part-time effort set in motion the goal of returning to the division full-time in 2021 to run for a third title in the division.
That goal was achieved on Friday for L’Etoile, of Wethersfield.
L’Etoile used a sixth place finish in the 20-lap Street Stock feature Friday at Stafford to clinch the 2021 championship in the division.
L’Etoile also won Street Stock titles at the track in 2014 and 2015.
“I’m really happy that we ran better all season that we did tonight because that thing was a handful,” L’Etoile said. “This cold weather got us, but it feels fantastic to just wrap it up. We set the goal last season and we did it.”
L’Etoile had five wins, 17 top-five’s and 18 top-10’s in 19 starts in 2021. He ended the season with a 14-point advantage in the standings over second place Chris Meyer of North Franklin.
Travis Hydar of Woodbury won Friday’s Street Stock feature. Nickolas Hovey of Chaplin was second and Meyer third.
Thirty cars, are you kidding me? Teams roll out their stuff at the end of the year in anticipation of next years run so this bodes very well for 2022.
Myer was my favorite. He had a great season and as I expected expressed himself with all the sophistication I’d expect an experienced veteran to in victory lane. And he said he’ll be back a good thing. In fact a lot of drivers made it a point to say they’d be back even standing in the infield with wrecked cars and that was good to hear.
Hydar at one time was a hammer looking for a nail and couldn’t figure out the right way to move a car without spinning them. He’s come so far and is ready to win a championship if he returns.
Hovey a babe in the woods with a fast car still does not have the subtle skills to make just the right move and take just the right risk at go time. Next year he will.
But this was L’Etoile’s year and he certainly deserved it. Just a terrific driver and car from a family with a great tradition in local racing.
Hopefully he’s moving up so the baton can be passed to Myer, Hovey, Hydar or some unanticipated contender.