NEWS

STAFFORD SPRINGS, Conn. (April 30, 2006) - Doug Coby of Milford, Conn. drove to his first career NASCAR Whelen Modified Victory in the Carquest Tech-Net Spring Sizzler before a packed house at Stafford Motor Speedway. Coby led the final 62 laps and held off a late race challenge from Donny Lia of Jericho, N.Y.

    Coby started the race back in the 29th spot in the Angellino’s Italian Restaurant/ Red Line Oil Pontiac and after pitting on lap 74 under caution worked his way to the front. He was in third position on a lap 139 restart and when the two cars in front of him driven by Zach Sylvester and Tony Hirschman made contact Coby took over the top spot.

    "The car was awesome all day," said Coby. "When Rick Fuller pitted under caution and we were third on that restart I knew we had a chanced to win. It means a lot to me to win here at Stafford."

    Lia, the Bud Pole Award Winner finished .24 seconds behind in the Huntington Honda Chevrolet. Eric Beers of Northampton, Pa. finished third in the Roby’s Propane/Reynolds Auto Chevrolet. Current series point leader Mike Stefanik of Coventry, R.I was fourth in the Diversified Metals Chevrolet. Rob Summers of Manchester, Conn. rounded out the Top-5 in the Frasco Fuel Pontiac.

    Coby also won the Powerade Power Move of the Race Award. Matt Hirschman earned the Featherlite Most Improved Driver Award and James Civali was the highest finishing Sunoco Rookie for the second consecutive event.

    The Carquest Tech-Net Spring Sizzler was the first series race at Stafford since long time owner Jack Arute, Sr. passed away on April 3rd.

    The next event for the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour is back at Stafford on May 26.

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