STAFFORD SPRINGS, Conn.  — The stars and cars of the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour will return to Stafford Motor Speedway for their second of four visits during the 2006 season for the 16th annual Connecticut Classic 150 on Friday, May 26th. Fresh off the Tech-Net Spring Sizzler, which was won by two-time Stafford track champion Doug Coby, the Whelen Modified Tour takes a one-month hiatus before returning to Stafford for their third series race of the 2006 season.

With his first career Whelen Modified Tour win behind him, Coby will headline an expected field of nearly 50 modifieds. Over the past several seasons, the Connecticut Classic has been one of the best Whelen Modified Tour races on the schedule. Three years ago, the race saw Jerry Marquis pass Todd Szegedy on the final lap of the race to take the win. The last lap was the only lap that Marquis led all night long. Two years ago, Tony Hirschman outdueled Reggie Ruggiero in the closing laps to secure a close victory, and last season's event saw Ted Christopher make an amazing charge through the field over the final 50-laps of the race after making numerous pit stops early in the race to correct his car's handling.

Mike Stefanik, who is the all-time winningest Whelen Modified Tour driver at Stafford with 18 career victories, will enter the race with the points lead after two events. Making up the next three positions in the 2006 Whelen Modified Tour points standings are all former or current Stafford Motor Speedway SK Modified(r) competitors. Ted Christopher is second, James Civali is third, and Doug Coby is fourth. Two-time defending Whelen Modified Tour champion Tony Hirschman is fifth in the standings.

Tickets for the 16th annual Connecticut Classic 150 are available and on sale now at the Stafford Motor Speedway box office. Tickets are priced at $30.00 for adult general admission, $5.00 for children 6-14, and children 5 & under are free. Reserved seating is available for $32.00. Stafford Motor Speedway offers plenty of free parking with overnight parking available.

The race is also part of Youth Organization Month at SMS, which means that any child age 6-14 wearing a youth organization team shirt or uniform gets free general admission when accompanied by an adult.

For more information, contact the Stafford Motor Speedway track office at 860-684-2783 or visit us on the web at www.staffordspeedway.com.

LongIslandJam 2006 WMT Season Coverage