Story By: PAUL ARUTE / STAFFORD MOTOR SPEEDWAY – STAFFORD SPRINGS, CT – Since the announcement of the Inaugural TC 13 SK Modified® shootout, scheduled for Friday July 13th in honor of Ted Christopher, the out pouring of support from the Stafford Speedway racing community has been strong.
Stafford Speedway announced a $1,300 payouts to be paid to the winner of the event but was in search of supporters for the remaining purse. Short track racing supporters have stepped up in a big way. NAPA Auto Parts of Tolland, LifeCare Family Chiropractic, Gaston Racing Enterprises, Wheelers Automotive, and George Bierce have each committed $500 to the purse for the July 13th TC 13 Shootout. In addition to the purse donations, Peter Rappoccio from Sign Pro will be sponsoring the winner’s trophy for the TC 13 Shootout.
“We announced this event a few weeks back and the support has been amazing,” explained Stafford Speedway CFO Lisa Arute. “We are looking to get the total purse to $6,000 for the 13 lap shootout. With our current support and previously announced $1,300 winners payout we are at $3,800. We sincerely appreciate all those who have pledged money for this event, it’s a great way to honor Ted and will be a great show for the fans.”
“I read about this race in the paper and I think it’s an awesome idea,” said Ed Nelson, owner of NAPA Tolland. “Giving back to this race is the least we could do. I hope we see more people step up because I think this is going to be an exciting race. If guys are running for the championship, they’re not going to hold back in the 40-lap race so you can invert and start up front for the TC Shootout. I was a big fan of Teddy’s and we actually used to sponsor Mike Christopher years ago. I got to know Teddy on a little more personal basis through sponsoring Mike and this is a great way to remember Teddy, especially right after the Fourth of July holiday. I couldn’t think of a better way to honor Teddy than what Stafford is doing with this race.”
“I’m at Stafford every Friday night, so I’m always looking forward to the races,” said Sean Noel, owner of LifeCare Family Chiropractic. “To have a special race for Teddy is great and I think it’s great that Stafford is honoring his memory and I’m glad to be a part of that. I’m definitely looking forward to seeing how the SK race plays out to set the lineup for the 13-lap shoot out. It’ll be fun to see some of the big hitters like Keith Rocco or Rowan Pennink fight their way to the front from the back. In these types of situations I always say that you don’t have to be a small business to get involved in something like this. If five fans got together and each put up $100, that would be a great way to be involved in a special race that’s honoring who I think is the best driver to have ever raced at Stafford.”
The previously announced TC 13 shootout will be held, Friday July 13th directly following the regularly scheduled 40-lap SK Modified® feature with the top-13 finishers transferring into the shootout. The top-13 will be inverted and the TC 13 shootout will be held with the winner receiving $1,300. Teams will not be allowed to pit following the 40-lap feature and will not be allowed to pit during the shootout.
Any businesses or individuals looking to support the TC 13 Shootout can contact the track office at 860-684-2783 or contact the office via email or social media. In addition to the on track action, Stafford and Bud Light have also lined up plenty of off track action including a Bud Light Happy Hour to be held from the time general admission gate open (5:15pm) to 6:15pm where Bud Light 16 ounce drafts will be $3. After the completion of happy hour, 24 ounce cans will be $2 off for the rest of the evening. Bud Light will also be on hand with a midway display.
With just under 2 weeks left to go until the Bud Light Open Modified 80 and TC 13 Shootout take the green flag, teams are encouraged to contact the speedway office to register for the Mod Open 80-lap event or complete the online form. Tickets for the Bud Light Open Modified 80 are priced at $30.00 for adult general admission, $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.
