Story By: SCOTT RUNNING / STAFFORD MOTOR SPEEDWAY – STAFFORD SPRINGS, CT – Stafford Motor Speedway’s premier SK Modified® division will take part in the biggest race of the 2024 season, the NAPA Auto Parts SK 5k, this Friday night, August 2nd.
In celebration of this season being the 11th Annual NAPA SK 5k, the race will be 111 laps in distance, the longest SK Modified® race at Stafford since the SK Modified® 150 in 2011.
This year’s NAPA SK 5k features total posted awards of over $35,000 with the race winner guaranteed to take home a minimum of $5,000. Below is a look at the 11th Annual NAPA Auto Parts SK 5k by the numbers as well as a statistical look at all drivers expected to race in the NAPA SK 5k and how they have fared in the extra distance classic.
NAPA SK 5k BY THE NUMBERS
- 5.5 – NAPA SK 5k Average finish of Keith Rocco, best in the 10-year history of the NAPA SK 5k
- 8 – Number of different NAPA SK 5k feature winners (Rowan Pennink, Ryan Preece, Ted Christopher, Chase Dowling-2, Ronnie Williams-2, Michael Christopher, Jr., Marcello Rufrano, Todd Owen)
- 3 – Drivers who have competed in all 10 NAPA SK 5k’s to date: Michael Gervais, Jr., Todd Owen, Keith Rocco
- 22 – Number of different drivers who have led a lap in NAPA SK 5k competition
Lap Leaders – Marcello Rufrano 213, Keith Rocco 112, Chase Dowling 81, Frank Ruocco 72, Ted Christopher 69, Todd Owen 60, Rowan Pennink 57, Michael Christopher, Jr. 51, Eric Berndt 47, Ronnie Williams 38, Michael Gervais, Jr. 28, Noah Korner 26, Matt Galko 25, Tyler Leary 21, Troy Talman 21, Ryan Preece 18, Dan Wesson 7, Brian Sullivan 5, Jon Puleo 4, Justin Bonsignore 3, Jeff Baral 1, Joey Cipriano 1 - 87 – Number of different drivers who have raced in the NAPA SK 5k
- $338,346 – Total posted awards paid out in first 10 editions of NAPA SK 5k
- $3,889.03 – Average payout to race starters in the first 10 editions of NAPA SK 5k
- $12,875 – Biggest Single NAPA SK 5k Payout by Ryan Preece in 2015
- 81 – Most Laps Led in a Single NAPA SK 5k – Marcello Rufrano in 2020
- 213 – Most Laps Led in a NAPA SK 5k Career – Marcello Rufrano
- $28,075 – NAPA SK 5k Career Earnings Leader – Ronnie Williams
- 18 – Record Number of Lead Changes – 2014
- 7 – Record Number of different leaders during race – 2019
- .053 seconds – Smallest Margin of Victory – Ronnie Williams beat Keith Rocco to the checkered flag in 2019
Expected SK Modified® Cars NAPA SK 5k Race Stats
Andrew Molleur – #85 Petty Cash Motorsports Troyer – Molleur currently leads the SK Modified® points standings as the only driver to record a top-10 in each of the first 10 races this season. Molleur has yet to win in 2024 but 8 of his top-10 finishes have been top-5 efforts. In 4 career NAPA SK 5k starts, Molleur has 2 top-5 and 3 top-10 finishes for a total of $6,565 in NAPA SK 5k career earnings.
Michael Christopher, Jr. – #82 New England Turf / Eastport Feeds Troyer – The 2021 NAPA SK 5k winner comes into this year’s event with 2 wins, 5 top-5, and 8 top-10 finishes. Christopher has made 9 career NAPA SK 5k starts with 1 win, 4 top-5, and 5 top-10 finishes. Christopher has led laps in 3 NAPA SK 5k events for a total of 51 laps and he has career NAPA SK 5k earnings of $16,235.
Cory DiMatteo – #11 Hummel Brothers Hot Dogs Raceworks – The 2017 SK Light champion was the early 2024 points leader after a 3-race winning streak in May and now sits third in the standings. DiMatteo has 3 wins, 5 top-5, and 8 top-10 finishes this season and he has made 3 career NAPA SK 5k starts with a best finish of 10th place last season. DiMatteo has earned $2,850 in his 3 NAPA SK 5k starts.
Marcello Rufrano – #88 Wheelers Auto Troyer – Rufrano enters the NAPA SK 5k with 1 win, 6 top-5 and 8 top-10 finishes. Rufrano has made 5 career starts in the NAPA SK 5k and he has led laps in each of his 5 starts for a total of 213 laps, the most of any driver in the race’s 10 year history. Rufrano is the 2022 NAPA SK 5k champion and he has 1 win, 3 top-5 and 4 top-10 finishes in his 5 NAPA SK 5k starts with career earnings of $12,100.
Michael Gervais, Jr. – #33 Gervais Brothers Roofing Troyer – Gervais has posted 6 top-5 and 8 top-10 finishes this season. Gervais is one of three drivers to have competed in all 10 previous NAPA SK 5k races with 4 top-10 finishes and career earnings of $10,845. Gervais has led once in his previous 10 NAPA SK 5k starts, leading 28 laps in the 2017 edition.
Troy Talman – #3 Casella Waste Systems Troyer – Talman enters the NAPA SK 5k having notched his first career SK Modified® feature win in the season opening NAPA Spring Sizzler® and he has followed that up with a second win to go along with 3 top-5 and 5 top-10 finishes this season. Talman has made 5 previous starts in the NAPA SK 5k with 2 top-10 finishes and career NAPA SK 5k earnings of $4,855.
Keith Rocco – #22 Horsepower Hill Farm Troyer – Rocco enters the NAPA SK 5k still looking for his first feature win of the season after posting 4 top-5 and 7 top-10 finishes in the first 10 races. Rocco has competed in all 10 previous editions of the NAPA SK 5k and he leads all drivers with an average finish of 5.5. Rocco has led a total of 112 laps in 4 of his 10 NAPA SK 5k starts, but has yet to win the event. Rocco has three second place efforts as part of his 6 top-5 and 9 top-10 finishes and he has earned $18,250 in his 10 NAPA SK 5k starts.
Mikey Flynn – #24 Ballyheigue Farms Troyer – Flynn comes into the NAPA SK 5k on a high having just recorded his first career SK Modified® feature win last week. For the season, Flynn has 1 win, 1 top-5, and 6 top-10 finishes. Flynn has made 3 career starts in the NAPA SK 5k with a best finish of 11th last season and his 3 starts have earned him $2,050.
Todd Owen – #81 Cooker Construction Chassis Pro – The 3-time defending SK Modified® track champion has had a tough go of things in 2024 with 3 top-5 and 4 top-10 finishes in the first 10 races. Owen is the defending champion of the NAPA SK 5k and he has led laps in 4 NAPA SK 5k races for a total of 60 laps. Owen has posted 1 win, 5 top-5, and 8 top-10 finishes with career earnings of $21,092 from his 10 NAPA SK 5k starts.
Steven Chapman – #14 Chapman Apartment Homes Troyer – The 2023 SK Modified® Rookie of the Year enters the NAPA SK 5k with 2 top-5 and 6 top-10 finishes. Chapman finished 25th in his NAPA SK 5k debut last season and earned $550.
David Arute – #75 Monaco Ford Chassis Pro – Arute enters the NAPA SK 5k with 1 win, 1 top-5, and 4 top-10 finishes. Arute has made 6 career NAPA SK 5k starts with 1 top-5 and 3 top-10 finishes. Arute’s 5 NAPA SK 5k starts has yielded $6,100 in earnings.
Anthony Flannery – #25 Fowler’s Auto Wrecking Chassis Pro – Flannery enters the NAPA SK 5k with 2 top-5 and 3 top-10 finishes. Flannery has made 2 career starts in the NAPA SK 5k, finishing 12th in 2022 and 6th last season for a total of $2,575 in earnings.
George Bessette, Jr. – #21 Newtown Pools SKM Chassis – The leading 2024 SK Modified® rookie contender enters the NAPA SK 5k with 1 top-5 and 4 top-10 finishes in 8 starts this season. Bessette made his NAPA SK 5k debut last season with a 3rd place effort that netted him $3,717 in earnings.
Austin Beers – #76 Bolles Motors Bolles Chassis – The Whelen Modified Tour veteran made his SK Modified® debut this season and he has piloted the Tom Bolles owned #76 car to 1 top-5 and 4 top-10 finishes. Beers will be making his NAPA SK 5k debut this season and he has 2 career Whelen Modified Tour wins and currently sits 5th in the 2024 WMT standings.
Dylan Kopec – #16 Steer-Rite Tire & Auto Troyer / TFR – Kopec comes into the NAPA SK 5k with 1 top-5 and 3 top-10 finishes. Kopec has made 2 career NAPA SK 5k starts with an 11th place finish in 2021 and 13th last season for total earnings of $1,950.
RJ Marcotte – #RJ’s Plumbing and Heating Troyer – Marcotte comes into the NAPA SK 5k with a best finish of 11th in 10 starts. Marcotte has 2 career NAPA SK 5k starts with an 18th place finish in 2022 and a 21st place finish last season for total earnings of $1,250.
Wesley Prucker – #23 Prucker Motorsports Troyer – Prucker enters the NAPA SK 5k with 1 top-10 finish in 10 starts. Prucker finished 17th in his NAPA SK 5k debut last season for $550.
Jonathan Puleo – #7 Mr. Rooter Plumbing Troyer – Puleo enters the NAPA SK 5k with 3 top-10 finishes in 8 starts. Puleo has made 3 career NAPA SK 5k starts with a best finish of 7th in 2022 where he also led 4 laps. Puleo has earned $4,190 from his 3 NAPA SK 5k starts.
Tyler Hines – #99 J.G. Poulin Drywall Chassis Dynamics – Hines comes into the NAPA SK 5k with 2 top-10 finishes in 9 starts this season. Hines has made 9 starts in the NAPA SK 5k with 1 top-5 and 3 top-10 finishes. Hines has earned a total of $7,525 from his 9 NAPA SK 5k starts.
Jack Baldwin – #07 The Florida Connection / Mohawk Northeast PSR – Baldwin is currently second in the 2024 SK Modified® rookie standings and in limited action this season, he has posted 1 top-10 finish in 5 starts. Baldwin is looking to make his NAPA SK 5k debut this season.
Curt Brainard – #96 Brainard Motorsports Raceworks – Brainard enters the NAPA SK 5k with a best finish of 15th in 10 starts this season. Brainard has made 3 NAPA SK 5k starts with a best finish of 15th in the inaugural edition in 2014 and he has career earnings of $1,500 in his 3 starts.
Tyler Barry – #18 Pro Systems Integration Spafco – The 2022 SK Light track champion enters the NAPA SK 5k sitting third in the 2024 SK Modified® rookie standings with a best finish of 13th in 7 starts this season. Barry is looking to make his NAPA SK 5k debut this season.
Noah Korner – #31 Midstate Site Development Troyer – Korner comes into the NAPA SK 5k with a best finish of 4th over 7 starts this season. In 4 career NAPA SK 5k starts, Korner has posted 1 top-5 and 2 top-10 finishes, including a second place effort last season where he also led for 23 laps, for total earnings of $7,317.
Teddy Hodgdon – #28 Lou Dilisio Auto Body Troyer – Hodgdon enters the NAPA SK 5k with a best finish of 7th in only 4 starts this season. Hodgdon has made 2 career NAPA SK 5k starts with an 11th place finish in 2020 and a 13th place finish in 2021 for total earnings of $1,700.
John Sandberg – #27 C & C Roofing Troyer – Sandberg enters the NAPA SK 5k with a best finish of 11th in 9 starts this season. Sandberg finished 22nd last season in his only career NAPA SK 5k start for a total of $550.
Eric Goodale – #58 GAF Roofing Fury – The 17-year Whelen Modified Tour veteran made his first SK Modified® start this season at Stafford and in 3 races this season he has a best finish of 13th. Goodale has won the 2017 NAPA Fall Final at Stafford and he has two open modified victories at Stafford, winning the 2018 Bud Light 80 and the 2023 Casella Waste Open 80. Goodale will be making his NAPA SK 5k debut this Friday night.
Art Caruso – #12 Caruso Racing Chassis Dynamics – In 10 starts this season, Caruso has a best finish of 16th, coming on July 12th. Caruso made his NAPA SK 5k debut last season with a 26th place finish that earned him $550..
David Flammia, Jr. – #63 D & D Racing – The 2nd year SK Modified® driver comes into the NAPA SK 5k with a best finish of 21st over 7 starts this season. Flammia will be looking to make his NAPA SK 5k debut this season.
Alexander Pearl – #71 Darling Auto Parts Spafco – The SK Light veteran driver, who earlier this season notched his 12th career SK Light feature victory at Stafford, has just begun to dip his toes into the world of SK Modified racing. Pearl finished 15th in last year’s season ending NAPA Fall Final event and he will be looking to make his first start of the 2024 season as well as his first start in the NAPA SK 5k this Friday night.
The 11th Annual NAPA Auto Parts SK 5K is set for this Friday, August 2. Tickets for the NAPA SK 5K are available online at StaffordSpeedway.com/tickets and will also be available at the gates day of show. General Admission tickets are $30.00 for adults, $10.00 for kids 6-14, and free for kids 5 & under. Reserved seating is priced at $35.00 for all ages and pit passes are $45.00 with a valid 2024 Stafford Competition License and $50.00 without a Stafford license.
