Bringing The Heat: Shawn Monahan Gets First Career Street Stock Win At Stafford 

STAFFORD – It was a night that seemingly proved to be the perfect microcosm of the Connecticut short track racing career of Shawn Monahan. 

Over the last two decades Monahan built a reputation for success on the track at New London-Waterford Speedbowl and Thompson Speedway. But along with that reputation for success came a reputation also as a sometimes dangerously unpredictable driver who could be a loose cannon at any point. 

On Friday Stafford Speedway fans saw all the facets of Monahan in play. 

Monahan was thrown out of his qualifying heat race for overaggressive driving to start the evening at Stafford. 

After getting thrown out of the qualifier, Monahan started 18th in the feature and used a late pass to go the lead to win the 20-lap Street Stock race for his first career victory at Stafford. 

“You never know when your last win is, so for me to get one here, it’s probably the most prestigious win that I’ve ever had in a Street Stock,” Monahan said. “At a facility like this, it means the world to me.” 

Monahan, of Waterford, was making his fourth start of the season at Stafford. 

“This is a great division,” Monahan said. “Street Stocks have always been my most exciting division to race in and Stafford Speedway has the car count and real Street Stocks. That combination, it’s awesome to be up here.” 

Monahan’s presence this year as a part-timer in the division has created some simmering from competitors. 

“I put a post up on Facebook today that I was going to Stafford to race and [someone] wrote a comment, ’I don’t think Shawn really can figure out the flat tracks.’” Monahan said. “And I’m thinking, ‘Well, thanks for the drive. We got a little extra oomph behind me.’ I wanted to prove that I can do it. When I walk up into the grandstands in my t-shirt and jeans, I feel like most of the people up in the stands – maybe I’m too old and they haven’t even heard of me or know where I’m from. Stafford fans are different from all the other fans. Though the drivers know who I am. I don’t really take any crap and if you don’t mess with me I won’t mess with you and I kind of proved that.” 

Travis Downey of Barkhamstead was second and Bert Ouellette of Ellington was third. 

Monahan got into the left rear of Downey going into turn one on lap 18. The contact got Downey’s rear end heading sideways. Downey was able to save his car, but he wasn’t able to stop the big drive Monahan got off of turn two to take over the lead. Monahan slipped up in turn one, allowing Downey to get back to his bumper, but Downey couldn’t find the lane back to the lead. 

“Congratulations to [Monahan] on getting the win,” Downey said. “It was a big night for us, a big points night. We’re happy to be here in second.”