For the second time in the event’s eight year history, the TC 13 Shootout trophy is staying in the family.
Mike Christopher Jr. of Wolcott passed Andrew Molleur on lap nine and went on to win the 13-lap non-points SK Modified event Friday at Stafford.
The event is run annually in honor or Ted Christopher, the all-time winningest driver at Stafford who was killed in a plane crash in 2017. Mike Christopher Jr. is Ted Christopher’s nephew.
“These moments when you’re in victory lane with your family and celebrating our beloved Ted is just things that you really can’t get with a championship I believe,” Mike Christopher Jr.
Mike Christopher Jr., who also won the TC 13 Shootout in 2022, became the second driver to get multiple wins in the event. Keith Rocco won the event in 2019 and 2023. Other winners of the event have been Glen Reen (2018), Todd Owen (2020), David Arute (2021) and Noah Korner (2024).
“It’s a weird feeling,” Mike Christopher Jr. said. “To win this race is phenomenal. It’s incredible to have everyone here. … Had the whole family here. This race dedicated to my uncle is fantastic. I’d like to thank the Arute’s for still putting it on every single year and Sign Pro for the awesome trophies … and all the sponsors that came on to be a part of the show to support it. It’s really great.”
Molleur, of Shelton, was second and Alexander Pearl of Salem third.
“I just tried to do whatever I could to keep him behind me, but [Christopher] was hooked up tonight,” Molleur said. “Congrats to him on the win. It’s been a little bit of a tough season, we’ll take it. Obviously this race is very important to not just myself but everybody in this field. Ted meant a lot to all of us. It’s great to race in his honor. I’m just thankful to be a part of it.”
With Molleur controlling from the pole position, Pearl moved by David Arute for second at the start. Mike Christopher Jr. went by Arute for third on the second lap.
Cory DiMatteo got spun to the infield on the fourth lap but was able to keep going without a caution flying. Mike Christopher Jr. got by Pearl for second and was all over Molleur at the front by lap five.
On lap nine Christopher found the way under Molleur into turn three to take over the lead with Pearl following to second place.
“It was a little sketchy to be honest,” Mike Christopher Jr. said. “Andrew was doing his part trying to keep the lead and I just had too big of a run and got into him down the backstretch. So it got sketchy there when I was trying to pass him.”
With Christopher checking out, Molleur was able to overtake Pearl for second place on the final lap.
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Does anyone know why the 7 and 24 laid back and did not race with the other cars?
what benefit is there for P1 and P2 in points to race hard here?
much bigger fish to fry.
Given full field invert, why not have a 9 lap “Stage 1” (representing TC’s 9 SK mod championships at Stafford) and a 13 lap “Final Stage”? Then, the cars that start at the rear of the field would have a legit chance to get to the front. With 13 laps, only, the cars that start in the back have little chance to challenge for the win. Accordingly, cars like the 7 and 24 see all risk and no reward in the event.