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Written by Chris Moore
NESHANIC STATION, NJ – “Icy” in Florida.
Matt Stangle will invade Florida for the fifth annual ‘Sunshine Swing’ presented by Capitol Custom Trailers and Coaches.
All-Tech Raceway in Lake City, Fla., hosts the Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series (STSS) Fueled By Sunoco Tues.-Sat., Feb. 6-10.
“Matty Ice,” a mainstay supporter of the STSS South Region, will kick off his ’24 campaign in the Sunshine State for four days of racing following a Tuesday open practice.
“I like racing down there,” Stangle proclaimed. “But at the end of the day even if you don’t have a good week racing, we use the couple of weeks as a vacation anyway.”
While Stangle enjoys the vacation aspect, competing at Wendell Durrance’s All-Tech venue is a favorite.
“I really like it there, even though we’ve never had any luck,” he said. “It’s a really tricky place that changes almost every lap, but I think if you figure it out it’s a lot of fun.
“I remember the year (Matt) Sheppard and (Mike) Maresca were like side-by-side the whole time and even (Billy) Pauch got there at the end.”
The 24-year-old Stangle will be trying something new under the hood of his Bicknell car in ’24 for the ‘Sunshine Swing.’
“We usually bring an open 360 (small-block),” Stangle said of his engine package. “Our new Wegner Automotive ‘Weekend Warrior’ is supposed to get here in time.
“We’re going to put that in and take it down.”
Stangle is known on the series as the guy who’s been close to a breakthrough on several occasions but is still looking for win No. 1.
The Garden State hot shoe came home third in the ’22 ‘Speed Showcase’ at Port Royal (Pa.) Speedway and led late before a mechanical failure cost him a chance at Bloomsburg (Pa.) Fair Raceway in ’22 as well.
“Winning on the series would mean a lot. It would be bigger than any win I could get honestly,” he explained of his desire to visit Bicknell Racing Products Victory Lane. “I want to win against the best guys. I think anybody would say that.”
In 2024, Stangle will have a lot more opportunities to get that first win, as he plans to chase both the River Valley Builders North Region and Quality Drywall South Region.
“I would say we’ll start the season following the whole tour and see how we’re doing,” he explained. “There are so many places we want to try like (N.Y.’s) Utica-Rome and Fonda.
“We will definitely be at the Fonda 200 this year.”
To learn more about the Short Track Super Series Fueled By Sunoco, visit www.shorttracksuperseries.com, e-mail bdmotorsportsmedia@gmail.com, check out ‘Short Track Super Series’ on Facebook, @ShortTrack_SS on Twitter or @ShortTrackSS on Instagram.
