DAYTONA
BEACH, Fla. (April 23, 2007) –
Fresh off a career best third place finish at Thompson International
Speedway in the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour season opener Ronnie Silk of
Norwalk, Conn. heads to Stafford Motor Speedway’s Carquest Tech Net Spring
Sizzler on Sunday April 29 hoping for another solid outing.
“That was a great start to
the season,” said Silk. “Now we’re going to a track where I have a lot of
experience and even had some success in other divisions.”
Silk competed in the NASCAR
SK Modified ranks at Stafford during the 2001 and 2002 seasons at Stafford.
He collected four wins and finished second in the track point chase in 2002.
The 200 lap Tech-Net Spring
Sizzler at the .5-mile oval in Stafford Springs, Conn. is one of the most
prestigious races on the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Schedule. Known as the
“Greatest Race in the History of Spring,” the event predates the existence
of the Tour, as the first Sizzler was run in 1972.
“Stafford has always been
one of my favorite tracks,” Silk said. “Last season we had a strong car when
we raced at Stafford but had some bad luck. We did manage a Top-10 finish at
the last race. I’d love to get my first win on the series at Stafford.”
Silk is in his second season
driving for George Bierce and the Major Motion/Silk Plumbing and Heating
Chevrolet.
“This deal came together a
few weeks before the start of 2006,” said Silk. “We are better prepared
coming into 2007. We have two cars available and we’re hoping to run up
front.”
Silk thinks the team will be
competitive all year.
“We have the core of the
team returning in 2007,” said Silk. ”And I now have experience at some of
the tracks we will race at later in the year from last season. I’m looking
forward to Stafford but I’m also looking forward to the whole season.”
The Spring Sizzler is
scheduled to get the green at 2:30 on April 29. Qualifying for the 200-lap
event is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. on April 28.
Sizzler Notes:
-
Posted Awards:
$90,634
-
Bud Pole Qualifying is
scheduled for 1 p.m. on April 28. The fastest 28 cars will transfer.
-
Five provisional
positions (Two based on 2005 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour owner points,
two on 2006 driver points and one past champion provisional) will bring
the starting field to 33 cars.
-
The 200-lap race is
schedule to start at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, April 29.
-
Doug Coby is the
defending champion.
-
Drivers currently
competing on the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour who have scored Sizzler
victories include: John Blewett (2001), Ted Christopher (2) (2002 and
‘03), Mike Ewanitsko (2) (1994 and ‘95), Rick Fuller (3) (1992, ’99 and
‘00), Tony Hirschman (2005), Reggie Ruggiero (2) (1987 and ‘93) and Mike
Stefanik (1989, ‘90, ‘97 and ‘98)
-
The series qualifying
record at Stafford is 18.102 seconds (99.437 mph) set by Mike Ewanitsko
in 2001.
-
The Carquest Tech Net
Spring Sizzler is the first of four series events scheduled to be held
at Stafford in 2007.
-
The Pit Party, a
Stafford Tradition, is scheduled for 11 a.m. on Sunday, April 29,
allowing fans an opportunity to meet their favorite drivers and see the
cars up close.
-
Seven rookies have
signed up to chase the 2007 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Sunoco Rookie
the Year Crown they are: Bobby Santos, III, Joe Hartmann, Billy Pauch
Jr., Bobby Grigas, Richard Savary, Ryan Preece, and Rowan Pennik.
