Cue the theme from “Shaft.” It’s time for “the greatest race in the history of spring.”
Stafford (Conn.) Motor Speedway is holding a two-day opening event this weekend, both sponsored by NAPA Auto Parts. Saturday sees the Granite State Pro Stock Series headline Opening Day with a 75-lap feature. Also competing will be Stafford’s signature division — the SK Modifieds (40 laps) — along with Late Models (30), Limited Late Models (20) and Street Stocks (20).
However, the highlight of the weekend is one of the track’s trademark events — the Spring Sizzler. Although Stafford is not racing this year with a NASCAR sanction, the Sizzler’s traditional 150-lap NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour race is still a go. The SK’s will race another 40-lapper, the SK Lights will race 20, and the Vintage All-Stars will circle the half-mile 15 times.
Someone who knows about the tradition of the Spring Sizzler is Whelen Modified Tour driver Tyler Rypkema, who despite being only 24, knows his history.
“Obviously, the Spring Sizzler is huge,” Rypkema said told NASCAR.com. “It dates back all the way to Richie Evans and before him. It’s incredible to see the list of drivers that have won that race. To think that that’s a possibility, that you might someday be on that list, too, is incredible. Everybody wants a Stafford Spring Sizzler trophy.”
Rypkema knows about good showings at historical tracks, having finished second in the Tour’s season opener earlier this month at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway.
Tickets for the Sizzler are available at staffordspeedway.com.
It’s only a Beatles week — eight days — until racing is renewed at Monadnock Speedway in Winchester, N.H. Like Stafford, the annual Spring Dash is so big that one day can’t contain it.
On Saturday, May 1, the Tri-Track Modified Series will open its highly anticipated season with 100 laps around the quarter-mile bullring. Also on tap for opening day are the NHSTRA Modifieds, Pro Truck Series, Mini Stocks, Pure Stocks, Young Guns and Classic Lites.
On Sunday, May 2, the festivities will be highlighted by the Granite State Pro Stock Series in a 100-lapper, along with the NHSTRA Modifieds, Late Models, Street Stocks, NELCAR Legends and Enduros.
There are still COVID-19 restrictions for fans, but the speedway has added 1,400 seats to accommodate proper social distancing.
Jason Remillard is a copy editor and page designer at the Recorder. He can be reached at jremillard@recorder.com and followed on Twitter @racinwithjason.