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STAFFORD OPEN
MOD 80 RULES AND $24K PURSE ANNOUNCED |
For
the first time since the late 1970’s, non sanctioned
open modified races are included in the Stafford
Motor Speedway schedule. The two events, both set
for the traditional “Sizzler” distance of 80 laps,
will pay $3,500 to win and $660 to start, with a
total purse of $24,000 for 26 starters. Both events
will be held in conjunction with Stafford's 5 weekly
racing divisions on Friday June 8th and Friday July
13th.
“Open modified racing is back at Stafford in 2018,”
explained Stafford General Manager Mark Arute. “We
decided to put these events together to give all the
open modified teams an opportunity to run Stafford
in a non sanctioned event with a strong purse. We
should see a great field of Modifieds for these
events and expect many of our weekly SK Modified®
guys to double up and run both races. The 80-lap
distance has worked well in the past for these type
of cars and these races are a great addition to our
2018 schedule."
The 80-lap features will have a draw for qualifying
starting position and will use a plus/minus system
of handicapping from the qualifying for the 26 car
feature starting line-up. Each registered team will
be allotted 6 tires for the event with no
restrictions on changing tires during the 80-lap
races.
The rules package for the Open Modified events have
been carefully crafted by director of competition
and former Modified and Late Model competitor Tom
Fox to include multiple motor packages used
throughout northeast modified racing.
“We worked with multiple teams and engine builders
to come up with a good package for this event,”
explained Stafford Director of Competition Tom Fox.
“The end result are rules that allow a wide variety
of teams to participate while also promoting a high
level of competition. Between the rules package and
the $24,000 purse, these are events to circle on the
calendar."
Modified drivers throughout the Northeast are
looking forward to this new event. 2017 Modified
Racing Series Champion Anthony Nocella already has
both the June 8th and July 13th event on his 2018
schedule after winning the May VMRS race at Stafford
last season.
“I saw those two races on the Stafford schedule and
they definitely got my interest,” said Nocella. “We
always like racing at Stafford, we’ll be there for
those shows. We have a lot of fun at Stafford, it’s
one of the nicest tracks that we race at and there’s
a lot of prestige that comes with a Stafford win.
We’ve had some really good cars at Stafford lately
so we’ll be looking forward to running in those
races.”
Jimmy Blewett, whose last NASCAR Whelen Modified
Tour victory came at Stafford in August 2016, is
also looking forward to the open modified events.
“I believe we’ll be at Stafford for those two
shows,” said Blewett. "I think they’ll be different
shows because there will be a lot of different
drivers. I think the VMRS and ROC tours have a lot
of drivers with a lot of talent who just can’t
afford to run the Whelen Modified Tour. When there
are open shows like Stafford is going to have, it
opens up things for those guys who can’t afford to
go Tour racing and they can show their talents
against guys who run the Tour.”
Teams interested in running the June 8th and July
13th events are required to register for
participation in the events. Registration is now
open, teams can register online at by following this
link:
http://staffordmotorspeedway.com/2018-sms-open-modified-80-number-registration,
or by calling the track office at (860)-684-2783.
Rules for the two Open Modified 80 shows can be
found here:
http://staffordmotorspeedway.com/2018-open-modified-rules/.
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Source:
Scott Running / Stafford Motor Speedway
Posted:
January 6, 2018 |
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