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Erik Tavares photo
Barre, VT — After April showers pushed back the 51st annual NAPA Auto Parts Spring Sizzler at Stafford Motor Speedway, the American-Canadian Tour is set for a rare Friday-Night-Lights visit to one of North America’s most iconic short tracks. With over 40 cars entered for the ACT Spring Sizzler 75 tomorrow, Friday May 12th, the first trip for the American-Canadian Tour to Stafford since 1985 is set to be one of the biggest events of the 2023 season as it also kick-starts the Brookside Equipment Southern New England Triple Crown!
Although the fast 1/2-mile track in Connecticut does not host weekly ACT Late Models, several Stafford Speedway masters have jumped on board to take the ACT Touring regulars. 2022 Stafford Street Stock champion Adam Gray has pulled his ACT machine out of mothballs with multi-time track champions and second and third on the Stafford All-Time wins list Woody Pitkat and Tom Fearn, respectively, borrowing rides to defend their home turf. Although the three have been ultra successful, their defense will have to be mighty.
After Race #2 on the 2023 schedule, the ACT tables have turned. New Hampshire Motor Speedway winner Derek Gluchacki faced an onslaught of hard luck at Thunder Road last Sunday, qualifying in by winning the Last Chance B-Feature. The North Dartmouth, Massachusetts young-gun ran a competitive race until carburetor problems forced him pit-side to watch the end of the 150-lap event. Gluchacki has made two Super Late Model starts at Stafford the last two seasons with hopes that the added seat time is enough to jump back into the points lead of North America’s most prestigious full-fendered touring series.
Fresh off a resurgence at Thunder Road, Vermont’s Jason Corliss is on the right path to success after a rough start at the Magic Mile. He came from the back to the front twice to claim his fifth ACT win at his home track and is looking to add another Touring win from outside Thunder Road next to his Milton CAT Midsummer Classic 250 trophy from White Mountain Motorsports Park.
Not to be overshadowed, former ACT champions Jimmy Hebert and D.J. Shaw, along with former Oxford Plains Speedway champion Gabe Brown currently lead the standings with consistent top-10 and top-5 finishes in the first two events of the 2023 season.
All these drivers and more are ready to take on the iconic Stafford Motor Speedway this Friday night, May 12th with Post Time set for 6:00pm. Pit gates will open promptly for teams at 1:00pm with practice beginning at 3:15pm and grandstands open to the public at 4:30pm. Friday will also feature the all-important NAPA Auto Parts Duels for the Open Tour-type Modifieds as they attempt to qualify for the 51st NAPA Auto Parts Spring Sizzler on Saturday plus Street Stocks and Limited Late Models. Those that can’t make the trip can catch all the action on FloRacing.
For more information, contact the ACT offices at (802) 244-6963, media@acttour.com, or visit www.acttour.com. You can also get updates on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram at @ACTTour.
