Stafford Notes: Travis Hydar Rallies For Street Stock Victory; Stephen Kopcik Tops SK Mods

Reigning Street Stock division champion Travis Hydar was a presence on the podium in the first two events of the season, just one spot short of where he wanted to be. 

Hydar finished second in the first two Street Stock events of the season at Stafford. 

Friday Hydar, of Woodbury, rallied from a lap one wreck to take that next step up the podium. 

Hydar drove away from Johnny Walker over the closing laps to win the 20-lap Street Stock feature Friday at Stafford. 

Hydar’s battered car steamed during victory lane ceremonies. 

“I don’t think that’s too good,” Hydar said. “We’ll address that later. … The car was a rocket. I got spun around, but it didn’t change the way it handled at all. … The thing was really fast.” 

It was the 14th career victory in the division for Hydar, tying him with Frank L’Etoile Jr. for fourth on the division’s all-time win list. 

Walker, of Agawam, Mass., was second and Jason Lafayette of Somers third. 

Hydar was involved in a multi-car wreck on the backstretch on the second lap that began when Lafayette spun then second place running Bill Cote. 

Hydar clawed his way back through the field. He went by Lafayette for second on lap 12 and then hunted down the bumper of Walker. On lap 15 Hydar used the outside lane in turns one and two to overtake Walker. 

“[Hydar] came up quick,” Walker said. “There was no use trying to put up a fight there. Congratulations to him.” 

Stephen Kopcik of Newtown topped the field in the 40-lap SK Modified feature. Marcello Rufrano of North Haven was second and Jimmy Blewett of Howell, N.J. was third.

Matt Clement of Wethersfield won the 20-lap Limited Late Model feature. Kevin Cormier of Agawam, Mass. was second and Damien Palardy of Willington was third.