Bobby Santos, III of Franklin is expected to defend his Spring Sizzler title at the Wheel of Sal Tinio’s potent Modified, out of Bellingham, at Stafford Motor Speedway next April. (Credit: NASCAR Home Tracks photo.)
By Lou Modestino
When the green flag waves for the 44th Annual NAPA Auto Parts Spring Sizzler on April 25 & 26, 2015, NAPA Auto Parts will be geared up for their second season with Stafford Motor Speedway. NAPA Auto Parts became the Elite Corporate Sponsor and the title sponsor of the track’s marque events, the NAPA Spring Sizzler, the NAPA Fall Final, and the uniquely formatted NAPA SK 5k, prior to the start of the 2014 season. All three races will return to the Stafford Speedway schedule in 2015, along with the fan friendly NAPA Pit Parties.
“We’re excited to be part of another season at Stafford Motor Speedway,” said Mike Wheeler, Connecticut District Operation Manager for NAPA. “Not only are the race fans our customers, but a lot of the teams do business with NAPA for their auto parts, so Stafford Speedway is a great place for us to be and to reach out to the fans and the teams. We looked at 2014 as a developmental season and now we are gearing up for an even bigger and better 2015.”
“We are fortunate to be associated with NAPA Auto Parts and are proud to have them as the Official Auto Parts of Stafford Motor Speedway,” explained Mark Arute, Stafford Speedway President/COO. “NAPA is an industry leader thanks to their professionalism and quality customer service, those are two traits that we always strive to achieve here at Stafford. Our three NAPA sponsored events this past season were all extremely positive events and we’re looking forward to promoting these events and getting the NAPA brand name out to our fan base and our teams. We’re proud to have the opportunity to carry the NAPA Auto Parts name as part of the Stafford Motor Speedway family.”
Last year’s NAPA Spring Sizzler winner, Bobby Santos, III, looks to defend his title in the 2015 edition against what is expected to be one of the toughest Whelen Modified Tour fields in recent history.
The NAPA Auto Parts Springs Sizzler kicks off on Friday, April 24 with a practice session for Stafford’s NASCAR Whelen All-American Series teams and U.S. Legend Cars teams. The Sizzler continues on Saturday, April 25 with practice, Coors Light Pole Qualifying for the NWMT, qualifying heats and consis for the NWAAS and Legend Cars divisions. The day will wrap up with feature events for Stafford’s SK Lights, Limited Late Models, DARE Stocks, and U.S. Legend Cars teams. The NAPA Spring Sizzler wraps up Sunday with the NAPA Pit Party followed by feature events for the SK Modified, Late Model, and NWMT divisions.