STAFFORD – The SK Light Modified division at Stafford Speedway in 2024 has essentially been the Tyler Chapman show since April.
And Friday the Ellington driver continued adding to his eye-popping 2024 numbers at Stafford.
Chapman, who overcame involvement in an early wreck, passed Josh Morrison for the lead on lap 17 and went on to win the 20-lap SK Light Modified feature.
It was the seventh victory in 15 SK Light Modified points events this season at Stafford.
“That was a rough one,” Chapman said. “All I know is one of the wreck the whole front of th nose was up in the air. I was looking at the sky there like Ricky Bobby there. Came down, nothing major broke. Managed to get ourselves to victory lane.”
It was the 19th victory overall in the division for the 19-year old driver, who was making his 82nd start on Friday. Chapman sits three victories behind the division’s all-time winningest driver, Chris Matthews.
Morrison, of Ashford, was second and Matthews, of Stafford, third.
Paul Arute took control out front at the start. Bob Charland moved to second place on lap two.
Caution flew on for a one car spin on lap three. On the ensuing restart action was slowed quickly for a multi-car wreck at the back of the field.
Arute held the top spot for the second attempt at a lap three restart with Morrison moving past Charland for second.
Caution was back out on lap five for another multi-car wreck. On the lap five restart Morrison was able to get by Arute for the lead. Caution returned on lap eight.
On the lap eight restart Morrison held the top spot with Matthews moving past Arute for second. On lap nine Matthews got under Morrison in turn three, but Morrison fought off the challenge. By lap 11 Chapman was up to third with Nickolas Hovey in fourth.
On lap 13 Chapman found a lane under Matthews. On lap Chapman was able to finish off his pass of Matthews for second.
Chapman got under Morrison on lap 15, but Morrison fended off the attack for two laps. On lap 17 Chapman and Morrison came to the start/finish line side-by-side with Chapman leading by a bumper. Chapman cleared Morrison for the lead through turn three on lap 18 and went unchallenged to the checkered.
“I thought we had him there for a minute on the outside but I made a couple of mistakes and then burned up the right rear [tire] I think,” Morrison said.
Wheelman 🏁
Great race for the lead – Morrison/Owen car looking pretty fast lately
West had another one cooking for her, until she got turned by the one and only Nick Angloose