With the racing world paused amid the COVID-19 outbreak, SPEED SPORT is highlighting race tracks around the United States. This is part of that ongoing series.
Track of the Day: Stafford Motor Speedway
Address: 55 West Street, Stafford Springs, CT 06076
Website: www.staffordmotorspeedway.com
History: Originally built as part of a 100 acre agricultural park, the track that eventually become known as Stafford Motor Speedway started life as a half-mile horse racing track.
Shortly after the end of World War II officials in charge of the track saw the growing interest in auto racing and began hosting events on the half-mile dirt oval, with competitors like Bill Schnidler, Johnny Kaye and George Flemke taking victories.
Shortly after Bill France revealed Daytona Int’l Speedway in 1959, Stafford became a NASCAR sanctioned track and has remained that way ever since. In 1967, track owner Mal Barlow decided to pave the dirt surface, adding slight banking to the corners.
In 1969 financial issues forced Barlow to announce plans to close the track. However, Jack Arute Sr. stepped up and with the support of former modified competitor Bill Slater, Arute purchased the track.
Arute made substantial changes to the facility that helped the track not only survive, but thrive. The track has since become the home of the SK Modified, a more affordable form of modified racing that Arute developed to bring the cost of modified racing down in the region.
The Arute family remains in control of Stafford Motor Speedway, with Mark Arute running the day-to-day operations of the track.
Some of the regions best drivers have raced and won at Stafford, including Bugsy Stevens, Ron Bouchard, Geoff Bodine, Richie Evans, Greg Sacks, Reggie Ruggiero, Mike Stefanik, Ted Christopher, Jerry Marquis, Keith Rocco and Ryan Preece, just to name a few.
The track is one of the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour’s most visited tracks, with the touring series having visited the venue more than 100 times during its lengthy history. Stafford’s Spring Sizzler and NAPA Fall Final are among the most historic events on the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour schedule.
