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RAY EVERHAM
TO SERVE
AS NAPA SPRING SIZZLER GRAND MARSHAL |
 2018
NASCAR Hall of Fame inductee and vintage racing
enthusiast Ray Evernham will serve as Grand Marshal
for the 2018 NAPA Auto Parts Spring Sizzler®,
scheduled for April 28th and 29th. Known as one of
the all-time greatest crew chiefs in NASCAR history,
Evernham will be in attendance the entire race
weekend and three of his vintage Modifieds will
participate in Saturday’s Vintage All-Star event.
“When we heard Stafford was hosting a vintage event
Spring Sizzler® weekend, we circled the date on our
calendar,” explained Evernham. “My passion for
modifieds runs back to my racing days at Wall
Stadium competing against some of the all-time
greats. The Spring Sizzler has always been a marquee
event for Modified racing and it just made sense to
bring out some of our classic mods to turn some laps
at Stafford. I’m looking forward to meeting some
fans and having a fun weekend at Stafford.”
Before transitioning to a crew chief role, Evernham,
a New Jersey native, began his racing career running
Modifieds at Wall Stadium during a golden age of
short track racing. The transition out of the
cockpit and into the pit box began when Evernham was
hired by International Race of Champions (IROC) as a
chassis specialist. His success at IROC landed him a
job with Alan Kulwicki in the NASCAR Cup series and
eventually with future hall of fame driver Jeff
Gordon. Together Ray and Jeff would revolutionize
the sport and go on to win 47 cup races and 3 Cup
championships together.
“Through the years Ray has always been a great
supporter of Modified racing,” explained Stafford
Speedway General Manager Mark Arute. “It’s an honor
to have a NASCAR Hall of Fame inductee serve as
Grand Marshal for our biggest race weekend of the
year, the NAPA Auto Parts Spring Sizzler®. Ray is
also a great historian for the sport through his
vintage collection and all of us here are excited to
see the vintage cars he brings up for Sizzler
weekend.”
Evernham intends to bring three fully restored
vintage Modifieds to compete in NAPA Spring Sizzler®
Saturday’s Vintage All-star event.
“We’re bringing the #99 car that Geoff Bodine won
the Spring Sizzler® with in 1980 along with Richie
Evans and Charlie Jarzombek cars,” continued
Evernham. “I hope the New England race fans enjoy
seeing those legendary cars on track. We will run
all three cars in Saturday’s feature and have them
on display at Sunday’s Pit Party.”
New for 2018, the Vintage All-Star Series will run a
20-lap feature on Saturday, April 28th and will be
made up from late 70’s and early 80’s Modifieds. All
three of Evernham’s cars will compete in the event.
Race fans will have the opportunity to meet Ray and
check out his vintage Modifieds at the NAPA Auto
Parts Pit Party prior to the Sunday portion of the
NAPA Auto Parts Spring Sizzler® on Sunday April
29th.
The 47th Annual NAPA Auto Parts Spring Sizzler® is
scheduled for April 27-29. Tickets for the “Greatest
Race in the History of Spring” are on sale now at
the Stafford Speedway Box Office. Tickets are priced
at $40.00 for adult general admission tickets, $5.00
for children ages 6-14, and children ages 5 and
under are admitted free of charge when accompanied
by an adult. Reserved seating is priced at $42.00
for all ages. As always, Stafford Motor Speedway
offers free parking with overnight parking
available. All tickets are good for both Saturday
and Sunday admission. All ticket prices include 10%
CT Admission Tax. Discount Spring Sizzler® tickets
will be available beginning in March at
participating NAPA Auto Parts stores. For a list of
the participating NAPA stores for the 2018 season,
please go to
http://staffordmotorspeedway.com/participating-napa-auto-parts-stores.
For more information, contact the Stafford Motor
Speedway track office at 860-684-2783 or visit us on
the web at
www.staffordspeedway.com.
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Source:
Scott Running/
Stafford Motor Speedway
Posted:
February 9, 2018 |
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