STAFFORD – Stafford Speedway officials confirmed Saturday that SK Modified and Tour Type Open Modified racer George Bessette Jr. has been suspended from all competition at the facility for the remainder of the 2024 season, effective immediately.
Bessette had been expected to compete in today’s Monaco Modified Tri-Track Series NAPA Fall Final event at Stafford and also the 40-lap SK Modified feature. Stafford also hosts it NAPA Championship night on Oct. 4.
Stafford Speedway director of racing operations and competition Tom Fox explained that Bessette was being penalized for swaying from dictated track protocol for exiting to the paddock after an event, for putting officials, crew members and fans in danger and for purposely hitting another competitor after the conclusion of an event.
On the final lap of the SK Modified feature Friday at Stafford Bessette got under Marcello Rufrano for third place through turns one and two. Rufrano fought back on the outside down the backstretch and the pair went side-by-side into turn three. Contact into the turn got Bessette sideways and ultimately spinning into the infield grass.
After the conclusion of events at Stafford cars are directed to go down pit road from turn three and exit the track via a turn one gate to the paddock. After taking the checkered flag Bessette proceeded to speed past most of the field on the backstretch and then did not drive down pit road, instead continuing to speed around the track back onto the frontstretch, where gates were being opened to allow fans and crew members access to victory lane.
Bessette then sped down an infield access road off the frontstretch. Rufrano was coming off of pit road and turning to go back down the backstretch to go over the scales as prescribed for the top finishers in the division. Bessette sped onto the pit road exit area where Rufrano was and drove into the side of his car, causing extensive damage.
“Post race … checkered flag flew, the race track was what we call cold,” Fox said. “We had opened the gates by the flag stand to let [fans and crew members] go to victory lane. Our tech officials, flagman, was on the frontstretch and George came through at a high rate of speed. You’re not supposed to go down the frontstretch. We have protocol on how the cars have to exit [the track]. He sped around down the frontstretch, which again was cold and potentially full of people, I’m glad nothing happened. And then he made his way through the infield and drove into the side of [Rufrano’s car] on purpose. He was mad at him. So the decision to park him was pretty easy. That’s a flagrant foul as far as we’re concerned.”
After Rufrano hit Bessette he went back onto to the track and entered pit road in turn three. Bessette then continued through the pit box lane on pit road, passing at least six cars that were attempting to exit the track. At some point a crew member with Rufrano’s team threw an object at Bessette’s car and he stopped on pit road.
According to Fox, after the incident Bessette or someone involved with his team, contacted the Connecticut State Police who responded to the paddock area at Stafford Speedway. Bessette told RaceDayCT that Stafford Speedway security representatives contacted the State Police. Representatives of the State Police have not released any reports concerning any actions taken at the track.
Bessette was the 2023 SK Light Modified division champion at Stafford. He has competed in 11 of 18 SK Modified division events at Stafford this season.
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