Stafford Notes: Tom Fearn Tops Late Models; Brian Sullivans Win SK Light Modified
STAFFORD – The all-time winningest Late Model driver in the history of Stafford Speedway started the 2023 season by making it even tougher for anyone thinking of chasing down his record.
Tom Fearn of East Longmeadow, Mass. won the 30-lap Late Model feature Saturday at the NAPA Spring Sizzler at Stafford.
It was the 63rd career Late Model feature at Stafford for Fearn.
“It’s been a long time since I won at the [Spring Sizzler] so this is very special,” Fearn said. “Stafford does a great job with the Greatest Race in the History of Spring.”
Defending Late Model division champion Adam Gray of Belchertown, Mass. was second and Michael Wray of Northford third.
Brian Sullivan of Tolland held off the charge of Tyler Chapman coming to the checkered to win the 20-lap SK Light Modified feature.
Chapman, of Ellington, was second and George Bessette Jr. of Danbury third.
Chapman got under Sullivan through turns three and four on the final lap of the caution-marred event and the pair went to the checkered flag side-by-side.
“It was definitely fun to start the year out battling with Tyler there.” Sullivan said. “I was kind of mirror driving the last lap and overshot the entry [in the final corners], but it made for a photo-finish anyway. It was a good run, good start for the year for all of us, in one piece. That’s the way to start the year out. … I knew it was close. I thought I had him, but I didn’t know until they came over the radio.”
Congratulations to Tom, Stuart and the Fear Motorsports team for the win. Makes all those long nights worthwhile. A Shout out to Adam for the second place finish. It’s early,but looks like could be the Tom and Adam show this year. Once again great job Tom.
thanks Rob
Recently there was some chatter regarding which will be faster at the Sizzler , ACT late models or Stafford late models . Looks to me like the ACT fastest lap times were about 1.2 seconds/lap faster than Stafford cars.
1.2 seconds isn’t bad when you consider the major differences in the cars. The ACT cars are more like pro stocks or super late models. Stafford cars still run the equivalent of a g- body chassis, although most are “tube” cars the frame is based off a g- body as far as front suspension, and most run a 3 link in the rear. I think the Stafford cars are also heavier. A while back, years ago Tom Butler put down a 20.9 in practice,on threaded 8″ tires and I imagine the cars are faster now.
That lap was unofficial, but still bad fast for back then.
I missed that chatter seekonk fan, we had discussed that exact same thing and we had estimated 1 second faster lap times for the ACT car vs. weekly LM.
Calculating correct gear to use
Just looked up last some reference info from last years lap times as to what a good time would be for the late model…
Last years 50 lap race, second practice was 21.382 . Pretty fast I’d say.
This weekends ACT LM was 20.611 (second practice) but the track wasn’t exceptionally fast in my experience so I’d have to stick with 1 second delta