STAFFORD – On Aug. 5 Marcello Rufrano scored his first career SK Modified division victory at Stafford Speedway.
He became the second first-time winner in the division at that point in the season, joining Anthony Bello who got his first win on July 29. On Aug. On Sept. 9 Jon Puleo became the third first-time winner in the division in 2022.
Friday it was Rufrano using a last lap move to make sure another driver wouldn’t join the list of first-time 2022 winners he’s a part of.
Rufrano passed Troy Talman on the final lap to win the 40-lap SK Modified feature Friday at Stafford.
It was the second win of the season for the North Haven driver.
“It’s unbelievable,” Rufrano said. “Two wins on the season, this team has been absolutely amazing.”
Talman, of Oxford, Mass., was second and David Arute of Tolland third.
Talman used the outside lane on a lap 33 restart to get by Rufrano for the lead. Rufrano stayed within striking distance over the next six laps. On the final lap he made a diving move under Talman into turn one and came off turn two with the lead.
“That last restart there, I think there was some debris on the bottom there and it just got way too tight and he got out front,” Rufrano said. “I didn’t think I’d have enough laps to get back to him, but you know what, I wanted it more. So I got up on the wheel. … Put it out there for that last lap.”
Talman dominated most of the first 29 laps of the event before Rufrano got by him for the lead on lap 30.
Said Talman; It’s tough. I thought I had that one. Being up front that long, just one of those racing deals at the end there. This is tough racing, last lap. I guess maybe I would have done the same thing for a win. I’m just happy to be running up front again. I think we’ve really got the momentum with all these top-five’s and top-10’s. I think a win will come our way yet, very shortly.”
Division points leader Todd Owen of Somers finished fifth. Owen came into the night holding a 106 point lead over Rufrano at the top of the division standings. Owen ended the night 98 points up on Rufrano. The SK Modified division has two events remaining, with a feature on Saturday’s NAPA Fall Final card and the final event of the season on Sept. 30. Owen needs only to take the green flag in Saturday’s 40-lap SK Modified feature to clinch his second consecutive SK Modified championship at Stafford.
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