04/25/2007

RONNIE SILK IS SET FOR THE SIZZLER

    Fresh off a career best third place finish at Thompson International Speedway in the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour season opener Ronnie Silk of Norwalk , Conn. heads to Stafford Motor Speedway’s Carquest Tech Net Spring Sizzler on Sunday April 29 hoping for another solid outing.
    “That was a great start to the season,” said Silk. “Now we’re going to a track where I have a lot of experience and even had some success in other divisions.”
    Silk competed in the NASCAR SK Modified ranks at Stafford during the 2001 and 2002 seasons at Stafford . He collected four wins and finished second in the track point chase in 2002.
    The 200 lap Tech-Net Spring Sizzler at the .5-mile oval in Stafford Springs , Conn. is one of the most prestigious races on the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Schedule. Known as the “Greatest Race in the History of Spring,” the event predates the existence of the Tour, as the first Sizzler was run in 1972.
    “Stafford has always been one of my favorite tracks,” Silk said. “Last season we had a strong car when we raced at Stafford but had some bad luck. We did manage a Top-10 finish at the last race. I’d love to get my first win on the series at Stafford .”
    Silk is in his second season driving for George Bierce and the Major Motion/Silk Plumbing and Heating Chevrolet.
    “This deal came together a few weeks before the start of 2006,” said Silk. “We are better prepared coming into 2007. We have two cars available and we’re hoping to run up front.”
    Silk thinks the team will be competitive all year.
    “We have the core of the team returning in 2007,” said Silk. ”And I now have experience at some of the tracks we will race at later in the year from last season. I’m looking forward to Stafford but I’m also looking forward to the whole season.”
    The Spring Sizzler is scheduled to get the green at 2:30 on April 29. Qualifying for the 200-lap event is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. on April 28.

Sizzler Notes:

Posted Awards: $90,634
* Bud Pole Qualifying is scheduled for 1 p.m. on April 28. The fastest 28 cars will transfer.
* Five provisional positions (Two based on 2005 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour owner points, two on 2006 driver points and one past champion provisional) will bring the starting field to 33 cars.
* The 200-lap race is schedule to start at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, April 29.
Doug Coby is the defending champion.
* Drivers currently competing on the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour who have scored Sizzler victories include: John Blewett (2001), Ted Christopher (2) (2002 and ‘03), Mike Ewanitsko (2) (1994 and ‘95), Rick Fuller (3) (1992, ’99 and ‘00), Tony Hirschman (2005), Reggie Ruggiero (2) (1987 and ‘93) and Mike Stefanik (1989, ‘90, ‘97 and ‘98)
* The series qualifying record at Stafford is 18.102 seconds (99.437 mph) set by Mike Ewanitsko in 2001.
* The Carquest Tech Net Spring Sizzler is the first of four series events scheduled to be held at Stafford in 2007.
* The Pit Party, a Stafford Tradition, is scheduled for 11 a.m. on Sunday, April 29, allowing fans an opportunity to meet their favorite drivers and see the cars up close.
* Seven rookies have signed up to chase the 2007 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Sunoco Rookie the Year Crown they are: Bobby Santos, III, Joe Hartmann, Billy Pauch Jr., Bobby Grigas, Richard Savary, Ryan Preece, and Rowan Pennik.

Source: Mark Mockovak/NASCAR WMT PR
Posted:  April 25, 2007