STAFFORD – It’s been more than a decade long mission of chasing and chasing and chasing some more for Paul Varricchio Jr. in the Late Model division at Stafford Speedway.
Friday night Mission Accomplished was finally achieved for the longtime Stafford racer.
Varricchio topped the field in the 30-lap Late Model feature at Stafford.
“I have been waiting for this time to happen for a long time and I did it,” Varricchio said.
The Berlin driver was making his 154th start in the division at Stafford. Varricchio made his first Late Model start at Stafford in 2011 and has raced in parts of 11 seasons in the division over that span.
“It means a lot,” Varricchio said. “Emotions are out of control. I’ve got a huge support group. I can’t ask for more. I’ve got a great car. Great sponsors. This means so much to me and the guys that work on this car. They work their asses off and we were able to show it.”
Kevin Gambacorta of Ellington was second and Alexandra Fearn of East Longmeadow third.
Varricchio started racing at Stafford in the Street Stock division in 2003. His only other win at the track came in a Street Stock that year.
“Paul and I started together in the DARE Stocks (former name of the Street Stock division) back around 2004,” Gambacorta said,. “We’ve been good buddies the whole time. That is cool. I know what it’s like to win your first race. We’ve been right next to each other all year. I’m just so happy for him.”
Fearn led from the start until Varricchio went by her for the top spot on lap 20.
“After last week we definitely have had a bit of a frustrating year so far so we decided to bring the best car in the stable out because we’re here to win,” Fearn said. “… Every time we’ve driven this car we’ve had a good showing. It was great to lead a lot of laps.”
Varricchio went unchallenged at the front the rest of the way. Gambacorta passed Fearn for second on lap 28.
congratulations paul well done
Congratulations to Paul and the 39 crew, hard working dedicated racers. Well deserved!
Great to see! Congratulations Paul 👍🏻👍🏻
I have never seen him this consistent. Always started up front and always went “backwards”. Good to see. A down to earth guy who is a grinder. WTG