By Scott Running

STAFFORD SPRINGS, CT -January 26, 2007- With the 2006 NASCAR season in the rearview mirror and the 2007 season looming on the horizon, Stafford Motor Speedway is closing in on a grand total of 200 number registrations for its 2007 NASCAR Whelen All American Series season. The entries are spread evenly throughout Stafford’s five weekly divisions, with the track’s SK Modified, Late Model, and DARE Stock divisions all numbering in the low to mid 40’s, and the SK Light and Limited Late Model divisions each number in the mid 20’s. The nearly 200 entries received puts the Speedway on a record pace for total car number registrations.

“We are excited with the high volume of car registrations we have received thus far,” said SMS CEO / GM Mark Arute. “I think one of the most direct correlations of our high car count for this upcoming season can be directly attributed to our television coverage. Our NASCAR New England coverage is a unique service that we are able to offer to our teams, and being on New England Sports Network gives our teams the ability to be seen nationwide, and not just in local markets. We’re looking to build our car count to well over 200 cars before the start of the 2007 season and to keep our car count at that level for years to come.”

The SK Modified division, the premier weekly division at Stafford, has entries from division veteran drivers, championship winning drivers, and several rookie drivers. Former SK Modified track champions that have registered thus far include Bo Gunning and Frank Ruocco. Veterans who have won a feature at Stafford in previous seasons include Jeff Malave, Brad Hietala, Jeff Baral, Kenny Horton, Lloyd Agor, Eric Berndt, Woody Pitkat, Todd Owen, and Curt Brainard. The SK Modified division will see an influx of drivers moving up from the SK Light division, with Richie Pallai, Jr., Wade Mattesen, Brit Andersen, and 2006 SK Light champion Shelly Perry all making the step up.

Stafford’s Late Model division also boasts its fair share of returning veteran drivers, track champions, and feature winners. Woody Pitkat returns to defend his track championship, along with Ryan Posocco, Jim Peterson, and Mike Quintiliano, who are all former Late Model track champions. Peterson and Posocco will have an extra incentive to reach victory lane during the 2007 season. Both drivers are currently tied with Chuck Zentarski as the Late Model division’s all-time winningest driver with 23 career victories, and the next win for either driver will move them past Zentarski. Other returning feature winners include Jim Mavlouganes, Tom Butler, Mark Lewis, Scott Foster, Jr., Joe Rzeszutek, and Tom Fearn.

Stafford’s SK Light, Limited Late Model, and DARE Stock divisions have nearly 100 cars registered between them, and will continue to serve as the feeder divisions to Stafford’s SK Modified and Late Model divisions, as well as where you just may see the next future star make their entry into racing. Stafford’s SK Light division came down to a 4-way tie for the championship heading into the last race of the 2006 season, and the Limited Late Model championship was won by 2 points, which is one position on the track. Stafford’s DARE Stock division again saw great parity, with 14 different feature winners in 17 races, and all three divisions have all the promise of once again delivering great racing action on the track.

Stafford’s 2007 NASCAR Whelen All-American Series season will begin with the 36th annual Tech-Net Spring Sizzler presented by CARQUEST on the weekend of April 27-29. To see which drivers have submitted an entry to race at Stafford in the 2007 season, visit the TEAMS section of www.staffordspeedway.com, and click on the 2007 team listing for the SK Modified, Late Model, SK Light Modified, Limited Late Model, and DARE Stock divisions.

For more information, contact the Stafford Motor Speedway track office at 860-684-2783, or visit us on the web at www.staffordspeedway.com.

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