STAFFORD – It’s fair to say the first four weeks of the 2023 season at Stafford Speedway have been frustrating for Tyler Chapman.
The Ellington driver contended for the SK Light Modified championship in 2022, finishing the season second in points, just eight behind division champion Tyler Barry. He had a division leading four victories in 2022.
After a second place finish in the season opening event this year, Chapman has had finishes of 9th, 36th and 19th in the three events coming into Friday at Stafford.
Friday he found the road back to victory lane.
Chapman dominated out front from start to finish to win the 20-lap SK Light Modified feature Friday at Stafford.
“I’m happy we’re back in victory lane after a long start to the season. … We started first and finished first. That’s the goal. So we completed that.”
Meghan Fuller of Auburn, Mass. was second and Barry, of Griswold, third.
“Definitely an amazing battle between Tyler Barry and I,” Fuler said. “He’s a very respectful driver and I enjoy racing with him.”
Stephen Kopcik of Newtown got his second victory of the season in the 40-lap SK Modified feature.
“We’ve been strong all year,” Kopcik said. “We’re always getting better.”
Todd Owen of Somers was second.
“It was really fun going up through the field with [Kopcik],” Owen said. “… All in all it was good racing with [Mikey Flynn]. It was just fun racing altogether.”
Mikey Flynn of Hamden, Mass. was third.
Kopcik passed Flynn for the lead on lap 16 and never trailed again.
“Awesome, it’s been a long time, it’s good to be back,” Flynn said. “This year we really worked hard to get our stuff better. We’re trending in the right direction. Every week it seems like we’re getting a little bit better, a little bit better.”
Noah Korner of Avon was fourth and Marcello Rufrano of North Haven fifth.
A wreck coming to the green to start the race knocked out division heavy hitters Keith Rocco and Jimmy Blewett. Contact between the leaders coming off turn four seemed to send a ripple through and ended up with Rocco plastered against the the frontstretch wall with Dylan Kopec. Blewett and Tyler Hines also went to the pits with damage. Blewett had finished on the podium in the first four events of the season before Friday.
Kevin Cormier scored his second victory of the season in the 20-lap Limited Late Model feature.
“We went [ninth] to first, which is our best run ever,” Cormier said. “It was great racing everyone out here. It was a ton of fun.”
Matt Clement of Wethersfield was second and Jay Clement of Wethersfield third.
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