STAFFORD SPRINGS, Conn. – Twenty-four race days make up the Stafford Speedway calendar next year, highlighted by 12 special events kicking off with the 50th anniversary of the NAPA Auto Parts Spring Sizzler April 23-24.
Weekly racing will continue to be the core of the Stafford Speedway schedule with the SK Modified, Late Model, SK Light Modified, Limited Late Model, and Street Stock divisions running weekly from May through September.
“Weekly racing continues to be very important to us at Stafford,” explained Stafford Speedway CEO Mark Arute. “The racing in each of our weekly divisions this year was excellent. There’s endless talent in all 5 Stafford divisions and we’ll continue to put those teams and drivers in the spotlight.”
The upcoming season will begin with the previously announced 50th Spring Sizzler featuring two days of racing highlighted by a $15,000 to win 100 lap Open Modified event. A new addition to Spring Sizzler weekend will be the PASS Super Late Models who are set for their first appearance at Stafford since 2012.
The Open Modifieds will return to the half-mile once per month. The Call Before You Dig Open Modified 81 will kick-off the events Friday, May 20 and will be followed by the Bud Light Open 80 on June 10, GAF Roofing Open 80 on July 1, and the Lincoln Tech Open 80 on Friday, Aug. 19. New for 2022, the Tri Track Open Modified Series will make a trip to Stafford Speedway Saturday, Sept. 24 as the headliner for the 49th Annual NAPA Auto Parts Fall Final.
Noticeably absent from the schedule is the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, which has been a staple at the track for more than 20 years. The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour visited Stafford three times this year.
“We’re excited to have the Tri-Track modified series back at Stafford after the incredible CBYD Modified Classic in 2020,” continued Arute. “The dates didn’t line-up to have them on the calendar in 2021, but they will be back in a big way in 2022 headlining the 49th NAPA Fall Final.”
Each of Stafford’s five weekly divisions will run an extra distance event with the SK Modifieds going beyond their 40 lap distance twice. First with the 50 lap Senator’s Cup July 15 and again for the ninth annual NAPA Auto Parts SK 5K. The Limited Late Models will run five extra laps on June 17 while the Street Stocks will compete in their annual Midstate Site Development Firecracker 30 on June 24. Dunleavy’s Truck and Trailer Repair Modifiedz Night will be held July 8 and will feature a 40 lap event for the SK Light Modified division. Finally, the Late Models will run their extra distance event Sept. 2 in the Paradiso Insurance Late Model 50.
“We are building off the success of the last few seasons,” continued Arute. “The drivers, teams, and fans have all rallied behind Stafford in so many ways, 2022 will be a season that will make everyone proud to call Stafford Speedway their home track. We have multiple facility improvements currently underway that fans and drivers will love. We may even have a few more surprises up our sleeve. See everyone at the Spring Sizzler.”