RPW Exclusive: Monaco Modified Tri-Track Series Preview with last years Top 5 Drivers: Stephen Kopcik
RPW Exclusive Column By: Stephen Durham / RPW – BOSTON, MA – We are just days away from the first race of the season for Monaco Modified Tri-Track Series to kick-off their 13th season. As we head into the new season, we talk with the series top 5 drivers from 2025 and how they are feeling heading into the new season. Finishing 4th last season with the Monaco Modifieds was Stephen Kopcik.
It was a steady season for the Newtown, Connecticut driver in 2025. Kopcik had three top 5s and seven top 10s on the season, with his best finish coming at Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park in May, finishing in 3rd. For Kopcik’s second full-time season with the Monaco Modified Tri-Track, it was his second consecutive season to finish in the top 5 in the championship standings. Here are Kopcik’s thoughts on the 2026 season ahead.
Q: Overall thoughts on 2025, had a steady season and finished 4th in the standings with the Monaco Tour?
Stephen Kopcik: “I think we were fortunate to have run fourth, but I wasn’t happy with it. I think we ran. I think I really think my, honestly, we were in better the year before(2024), not better, but just probably made less mistakes, had, you know, was more focused in on the races that we hit, so I know we can go up front and contend with these races, so I just, I don’t want to go unless we got all the pieces in the puzzle.”
Q:Anything new in 2026 for you and your team?
Stephen Kopcik: “We have much more help this, just with the team in general, like we actually have people that do, a tire guy, 2 tire guys, really, and pit stop guys, and, just all those people, there, they could do anything on the car mechanically, and just for people to help manage the day.”
Q: You and your team’s expectations for 2026 with the Monaco Tour?
Stephen Kopcik: “ I’d like to win, like with every race, I guess, focusing on some of the short track stuff, just not totally positive that we have the best edge on the package for the big track stuff, and there’s what, 4 or 5 of them. I just want to be able to run upfront and contend and and win like obviously, like definitely a good mindset would be to win. I’d like to win the Seekonk and New London-Waterford races.”
Q: What event on the series schedule are you looking forward to most?
Stephen Kopcik: “Seekonk and New London-Waterford, because I’ve come so close to winning there, probably should’ve won there a time or two, and never pulled it off and seal a deal. I can’t wait to get back there. Seekonk really rings a bell to me because I really feel like I’ve come too close to win there, but haven’t won there yet.”
Q:Heading into this season, who in the series should people be watching?
Stephen Kopcik: “I know Jake (Johnson) is running the whole year, but, I would say Jake. He’s a smart guy, has smart people, like they go to the track to to win, and he’s definitely a pretty fierce competitor, pretty good driver, and I would say he would be the one to watch.”
The Monaco Modifieds Tri-Track Series kicks-off their 2026 season at Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park Saturday April 11th, as part of the Icebreaker 2026 weekend. The Monaco Modified race will be broadcasted live on North East Short Track Network(NESTN).
