Story By: KYLE SOUZA / GRANITE STATE PRO STOCK SERIES – WALPOLE, NH – After nearly six months away from the track, the Granite State Pro Stock Series debuts at Stafford Motor Speedway on Saturday, April 24 — opening a 15-race slate for the New Hampshire-based touring series in 2021.
The series will help open Stafford’s new season in front of fans in the grandstands and across the country through a new partnership Stafford has with FloSports — airing the race live as part of a subscription to FloSports.TV. A stout entry list, including former Granite State Pro Stock Series champions and winners, former Super Late Model winners, Stafford Motor Speedway champions and regulars, along with others has been assembled and with other 25 drivers planning to attend.
“We’re excited to debut at Stafford in such a historic event like their NAPA opening weekend,” Mike Parks, president of the Granite State Pro Stock Series, said. “The entry list for this race is stacked with top talent, which will produce exciting racing at the half-mile. We look forward to showcasing our series to the Connecticut race fans and kicking-off what will be a busy season for the Granite State Pro Stock Series.”
Leading the entry list are five former series champions: Joey Pole (2020), Joey Dorion (2019), Devin O’Connell (2018), Mike O’Sullivan (two-time champion) and Derek Griffith (2015). Pole, who is coming off a title and a stout year of competition, looks to begin the chase for a second straight at a track where he has no previous laps. Griffith is coming off three victories in his first four Pro All Star Series races of the season and a championship at the World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing at New Smyrna Speedway in February. O’Sullivan, a former Stafford winner and regular, is hoping to use the home-track advantage en route to success.
Behind them, a strong contingent of outsiders look to steal the show. Multiple-time ARCA Menards Series East winner Eddie MacDonald, and Super Late Model standout DJ Shaw are joined by former Stafford Limited Late Model champion Cory Casagrande and former American-Canadian Tour and Lee USA Speedway winner Bryan Kruczek. Alexander Pearl, a former Stafford SK Light Modified winner and Jeremy Sorel, a former Stafford SK Light Modified champion, are also on the entry list. Adam Gray, who won the Late Model title at Stafford in 2020, is returning to Granite State competition to compete in his father, Barry Gray’s, familiar No. 29 machine.
Don’t sleep on two former Seekonk Speedway champions either: David Darling and Angelo Belsito. Darling, who has seven titles in Seekonk’s premier class, and Belsito, the 2015 Seekonk Pro Stock champion and multiple-time Granite State Pro Stock Series winner, are both coming to chase the $3,000 grand prize in line for the winner.
Add defending series Rookie of the Year Casey Call, veterans Josh King, Mike Mitchell, Mike Scorzelli and Luke Hinckley, Tyler Tomassi, Kevin Casper and others and you have a full field of talent. Lebanon Valley Speedway dirt Pro Stock driver Rick Duzklak is making his series debut at Stafford on the asphalt.
Joining the Granite State Pro Stock Series, Stafford’s premiere SK Modifieds will compete in a 40-lap race, along with the Late Models, Limited Late Models and Street Stocks. The Saturday portion of the weekend is just the beginning of a full slate of action at the half-mile in 2021.
A limited amount of grandstand tickets are still available for purchase through staffordmotorspeedway.com/tickets. General admission tickets are $35 for adults, with children ages 6-14 just $10. All children five and under will be admitted free to the grandstands. Pit passes are also available online at the same website. Stafford is encouraging all fans and team members to purchase passes ahead due to COVID-19 restrictions from the state of Connecticut and the potential to sell-out the event. All COVID guidelines are in place for the safety of all.
