Tommy Barrett, Jr. of Millis, fresh off his Modified Victory at Bristol, hopes to be on a roll going into Friday night’s Valenti Modified Series race at Stafford. Credit:NASCAR Home Tracks photo)

By Lou Modestino

The Valenti Modified Racing Series opens Labor Day weekend at the Stafford Motor Speedway, Stafford, CT, Friday, August 29, with another 80-lap feature race on tap, the final appearance by the series there this season.

Five former VMRS winners at Stafford are slated to compete in the third event of the year at the famed half-mile facility.

Tommy Barrett of Millis, MA, driving the Victory Lane Bar and Grille sponsored #9, and Keith Rocco, of Berlin, CT, driver of the Wheelers Auto, Mr. Rooter Plumbing, # 68, are expected entries in the Friday race. Both drivers are two-time series winners at Stafford.

Ted Christopher of Plainville, CT, will seek his second Stafford win. Chris Pasteryak of Jewett City, CT and Ryan Preece of Berlin, each with a victory at Stafford, are also expected.

Top point men Justin Bonsignore of Holtsville, NY and reigning champion Rowan Pennink, of Huntingdon Valley, PA are both entered. Three-time winner Richard Savary of Canton, MA is also an expected entry.

Stafford’s own Woody Pitkat, fresh off a strong run at Monadnock Speedway in New Hampshire last weekend, will compete. Veteran drivers Norm Wrenn, of Nashua, NH, Dan Meservey, Jr. of Brewster, MA and Eric Goodale, of Wading River, NY are also expected.

Preston, CT, driver Max Zachem, and Dylan Kopec, of Palmer Mass. will compete.