Parity has been the calling card of the SK Modified division at Stafford Speedway in 2024
Coming into Friday’s racing card there had been seven different winners in the first 11 events of the season with two of those winners scoring their first victory.
Friday the numbers in those categories continued to rise.
Steven Chapman of Ellington held off the charges of Austin Beers over the final five laps to win the 40-lap SK Modified division feature Friday at Stafford Speedway.
It was the first career SK Modified victory for Champan, who was making his 30th start in the division.
“We’ve been struggling all year,” Chapman said. “We’ve had a string of bad luck. … This week we threw the whole toolbox at it. I’d say it worked. … We’ve been close way too many times. We finally got it.”
Chapman became the eighth different winner in the division this season and third first-time winner, joining Troy Talman and Mikey Flynn with that distinction.
Beers, of Northampton, Pa., was second and Cory DiMatteo of Farmington third.
“We were really even,” Beer said. “… I haven’t ran this car yet. Just took it now and it was really good today. Congrats to Chapman on the win. He did a hell of a job being really consistent out there and holding me off.”
Said DiMatteo: “Third almost feels like a win. We started the year off real good and the past couple weeks we’ve had mechanical issues, handling issues, tire issues … I’m happy to get third for my guys. They work real hard. Before the race we were changing shocks and springs and I think we’ve got it back where it needs to be.”
Beers controlled out front over the opening laps.
On lap five Chapman got by Beers off of turn four to take over the lead.
At the halfway mark Chapman continued to control the pace out front with Beers in second, DiMatteo in third and Andrew Molleur running fourth.
Caution flew on lap 28 for the stopped car of John Sandberg.
On the restart Chapman continued to fend off Beers at the front, with Molleur and DiMatteo fighting for third behind them.
Over the final three laps Beers stalked all over Chapman’s bumper, but Chapman never wavered.
congrats on your win well done
Congratulations on a fantastic victory!