STAFFORD SPRINGS, Conn. — Anthony Bello was a first-time winner in the SK Modified division to headline Friday night’s racing program at Stafford Motor Speedway.
Michael Gervais took the lead on the opening lap before the caution flew for a spin by Brian Sullivan. Gervais took the lead on the restart but the field could only complete one more lap before the caution flew again for a spin in turn two by Cory DiMatteo with several other cars involved.
Jon Puleo took the lead on the outside of Gervais on the restart with Andrew Molleur taking second. Stephen Kopcik took a trip through the frontstretch grass but rejoined at the rear of the field but the caution did come back out with four laps complete for a spin in turn one by Gervais.
Puleo and Molleur went wheel to wheel for the lead on the restart and with six laps complete, Puleo spun in front of the field which collected John Montesanto, Michael Christopher, Jr., Tyler Hines and Keith Rocco.
Todd Owen shot into the lead on the restart with Marcello Rufrano taking second. Anthony Bello was third followed by Bryan Narducci and Andrew Molleur.
Rufrano took the lead from Owen on lap 10 with Bello taking second as Owen fell back to third. Molleur and Narducci were side by side for fourth with Molleur taking the spot.
Bello was applying heavy pressure to Rufrano on lap-19 looking to make a bid for the lead. Bello was still looking for a way to get by Rufrano with 23 laps complete when the caution came back out for a spin in turn four by R.J. Marcotte and Curt Brainard.
Rufrano took the lead back under green with Owen and Bello side by side for second. Owen cleared Bello on lap-24 with Molleur in fourth and Narducci and Arute side by side for fifth. Arute cleared Narducci for fifth on lap-28 with Rufrano now several car lengths ahead of Bello and Owen with Molleur in fourth.
With 10 laps to go, Rufrano was still in front followed by Bello, Owen, Molleur, and Kopcik. Bello took the lead from Rufrano with five laps to go with a pass on the backstretch that saw the two cars touch and Rufrano get sideways.
Bello led the field to the checkered flag to pick up his very first SK Modified win at Stafford. Rufrano finished second with Owen, Molleur, and Arute rounding out the top five.
Darrell Keane took down his first late model win in nearly 2 years, George Bessette, Jr. scored his second SK Light win of the season, Rich Hammann notched his fourth limited late model win of the season and Bert Ouellette was a first-time winner in the street stock feature.