Story By: SCOTT RUNNING / STAFFORD MOTOR SPEEDWAY – STAFFORD SPRINGS, CT – With the drop of the green flag at this past weekend’s NAPA Auto Parts Spring Sizzler®, the race for the 2018 NAPA Rookie of the Year was underway in the SK Modified® division. Making a late entry into the 2018 SK Modified® rookie class was 18 year old Doug “Throttleman” Meservey, Jr. The Chatham, MA native has a deal put together to drive one of Keith Rocco’s cars and will challenge for NAPA Rookie of the Year honors behind the wheel of the #67 Zudy Software Chevrolet.
“My father and I were talking and we decided we wanted to go SK racing at Stafford, which is the best place to be racing,” said Meservey, Jr.” “We got in touch with Keith and everything worked out from there. I’ve wanted to race an SK car ever since my father won the Invitational race back in 2003. I grew up coming to Stafford so I’m pretty stoked to be part of the SK field this season. We’re looking to run the full season. We have some great support from Zudy Software, Our Construction, Johnny Canto, and my family is helping me out. We are working on putting together some additional sponsor support.”
Meservey has his sights set squarely on winning NAPA Rookie of the Year honors, which will carry with it a $1,000 store credit bonus from NAPA Auto Parts. Meservey has surrounded himself with top notch talent with his father Doug, Sr., his car owner Keith Rocco, and Keith’s crew chief “Bear” Calicchio. He has set some modest goals that he feels will help him achieve his ultimate goal of becoming NAPA Rookie of the Year. With a solid 8th place finish in his SK Modified® debut, Meservey has a good start towards achieving his goals.
“My biggest goal is the Rookie of the Year award,” said Meservey, Jr. “I know we have a team that is capable of competing for that and although the competition is pretty stacked, we have the right equipment for it. I know I’m down on experience but the car will be up to par to run with front running guys and I’m just going to go out there and run my race and do what I have to do. My main goal is to finish races. You can’t win if you don’t finish and if we can get a top-15 or a top-10 finish that would be huge. I have absolute confidence in Keith and my father worked with Bear Calicchio back at Riverside so I’m in good hands. Everyone has told me the level of competition at Stafford is intense and I’m going to be racing against the best of the best. I think racing with the SK Modified® veterans that have more experience will only help me get better as a driver. I’m excited to be racing with those guys.”
Meservey, Jr. comes to the SK Modified® division with three years of Pro-4 Modified experience. Despite his relative lack of experience, Meservey is confident that his connection with Rocco will help him eliminate some of his learning curve as he embarks on his first journey into the world of SK Modified® racing at Stafford Speedway.
“I’ve raced Pro-4s the last 3 years and I ran an open modified show at Myrtle Beach last year for Hillbilly Motorsports,” said Meservey, Jr.” “I’ve talked a lot with my Dad and he feels like I’m pretty well prepared and with Keith, I know the car is going to be set up right. The biggest thing will be me adapting to the SK car. I’m looking forward to relaying information to Keith that he can use to give me the setup I need to go fast. I know what loose and tight is from the Pro-4 car and I’m confident I can relay the information to Keith and hopefully we can be pretty successful. Keith told me it’s all about keeping the momentum up and being smooth and consistent. Once I get the feel of the car, I think we’ll be in pretty good shape with Keith’s setups.”
Meservey’s rookie journey continues this Friday night, May 4, which is opening night at Stafford and the first of 20 consecutive Friday nights of NASCAR short track excitement at the Connecticut half-mile facility. Tickets for this Friday night’s races are priced at $18.50 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 $20.00 for all ages. All ticket prices include 10% CT Admission Tax. As always, Stafford Motor Speedway offers free parking with overnight parking available.
