Glen Reen took the checkers on the first Friday night of the season at Stafford Motor Speedway, winning the 40-lap SK Modified feature.
It was a dominating performance by Reen, who took the lead on the first lap from polesitter David Arute. Despite challenges from Stephen Kopcik and Mike Christopher Jr, Reen was able to pull away and take the win, leading all 40 laps in the process.
“It wasn’t too nerve-wracking,” said Reen. “I knew what I had to do… I was just glad to be able to hang onto it and keep going.”
Following Reen were Christopher, Kopcik, Todd Owen, and Michael Gervais Jr.
Nick Salva, Tyler Hines, Keith Rocco, Ronnie Williams, and David Burnham rounded out the top-10.
The starting order was determined by a handicap of the top-15, as heat races were canceled due to rain that did not cease until late in the afternoon.
The race opened up with a long green flag run that continued until lap 29 when Jeff Malave spun in turn two. The wrecks then began to come in droves, as a three-car pileup on lap 31, an Eric Berndt spin on lap 37, and another wreck on the ensuing restart set up a final dash to the checkered flag.
“We worked so hard over the winter,” said Reen. “It’s good to be back in Victory Lane. Every year, you peel those [winner] stickers off every year, because [last year’s] ones don’t count.”
The win was the first of the season for Reen, and the fourth of his career at Stafford.
The full results can be found below:
- Glen Reen
- Mike Christopher Jr.
- Stephen Kopcik
- Todd Owen
- Michael Gervais Jr.
- Nick Salva
- Tyler Hines
- Keith Rocco
- Ronnie Williams
- David Burnham
- Marcello Rufrano
- Thomas Bolles
- Michael Rutkoski
- Tyler Leary
- Matt Galko
- Andrew Molleur
- Eric Berndt
- Joseph Cipriano III
- Jeff Malave
- Cory DiMatteo
- Troy Talman
- Ed Spiers
- John Catania
- David Arute
- Matt Vassar
- Tony Membrino Jr.
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Paul Lambert is an aspiring collegiate journalist. A writer and broadcaster, Paul's excited to cover New England short track racing in 2022. Paul has also been published in the Boston Herald, Speedway Illustrated and on Autoweek.com.