Story By: PAUL ARUTE / STAFFORD MOTOR SPEEDWAY – STAFFORD SPRINGS, CT – The Stafford Speedway management is proud to announce a new addition to the Friday, July 13th race program, a 13-lap SK Modified® Shootout in honor of the late Ted Christopher. The shootout, dubbed the “TC 13,” will occur directly following the regularly scheduled 40-lap feature. The field for the TC 13 will be filled by the top 13 finishers in the 40-lap feature and inverted with the 13th place finisher starting on the pole for the TC 13 shootout.
The TC 13 race will pay $1,300 to win with the full purse based on sponsor contributions. George Bierce has already committed $500 towards this unique event. The goal is to post a $6000 purse.
“When we realized that July 13th was a Friday, we knew we had to do something special,” explained Stafford Speedway General Manager Mark Arute. “We will run the full 40 lap SK Modified® race, take the top 13 finishers, line them up and run a 13 lap shootout. No pitting, no adjustments, just 13 laps for the TC Trophy and $1,300.”
The TC 13 event will accompany an already packed night of racing including the second Open Modified 80 of the the 2018 season boasting $3,500 to win. The Inaugural Open Modified 80 held on June 8th was won by former SK Light driver Tommy Barrett using a pit early and hang on strategy. Chase Dowling and Dave Etheridge completed the podium with impressive runs.
“Talk about the show of the summer. We’ll have our full weekly program, an 80 lap open modified race, and the additional 13 lap SK Modified® Shootout,” continued Arute. “Teddy would have loved this show. Another 13 laps to thrill the fans and pocket $1,300.”
SK Modified® drivers are already looking forward to this unique event for both the prestige of winning the race and for the extra payout.
“That’s pretty neat that Stafford Speedway is doing this race for Teddy,” said Chase Dowling, driver of the #36 Powerhouse Motorsports SK Modified®. “Losing Teddy didn’t just affect the drivers, it was the fans and everyone who loves short track racing. I’m sure all the drivers who race at Stafford that looked up to Teddy are going to want to win that race in his honor. The extra purse money will be a big help and not only the money but the recognition of winning that race in Teddy’s memory would be a pretty cool accomplishment.”
“That’s great for the racers and the Christopher family,” said Keith Rocco, driver of the #88 Wheelers Auto SK Modified® and current SK Modified® points leader. “It’s great that Team Stafford is putting this purse up for us and it’s always nice to be racing for more money with more laps.”
In addition to the scheduled 40-lap SK Modified® feature and the TC 13 Shoot Out, Friday, July 13th will be a busy night of racing. Round 2 of the Modified Open 80’s will accompany Stafford’s Late Models, SK Lights, Limited Late Models, and Street Stocks. Tickets for this event are priced at $30.00 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 seat tickets are $32.00 for all ages. All ticket prices include 10% CT Admission Tax. Stafford Motor Speedway offers plenty of free parking along with overnight parking available for self contained Recreational Vehicles.
