STAFFORD SPRINGS, CT. — One of the most anticipated events of the summer returns to Stafford Motor Speedway on Wednesday, July 15, as the Monaco Modified Series rolls into town for the GAF Roofing Modified Masters.
Already boasting a stacked entry list of more than 30 cars, this year’s edition of the GAF Roofing Modified Masters features an impressive mix of NASCAR stars, Modified veterans, and the Northeast’s top touring talent. Headlining the field is RFK Racing NASCAR Cup Series driver Ryan Preece, winner of this year’s Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium and one of Modified racing’s biggest stars. Joining Preece will be Daytona 500 and Brickyard 400 champion Ryan Newman, who returns to Stafford looking to add another marquee Modified victory to his accomplished résumé.
The competition doesn’t stop with the NASCAR headliners. Lebanon, Connecticut’s Ronnie Williams enters the event with momentum on his side after capturing Stafford’s Spring Sizzler earlier this season, while Chelmsford, Massachusetts’ Jon McKennedy continues one of the hottest streaks in Modified racing. McKennedy has been a fixture at the front of the field throughout the summer and currently sits atop the Monaco Modified Series championship standings.
Other top contenders expected to battle for a visit to Sign Pro‘s Victory Lane, where the winner will don the coveted GAF Roofing Modified Masters jacket, include Patrick Emerling, Ron Silk, Austin Beers, Justin Bonsignore, Woody Pitkat, Keith Rocco, Eric Goodale, and a host of additional Modified standouts. Defending GAF Roofing Modified Masters winner Jake Johnson, however, will not be in the field on Wednesday night, ensuring that a new champion will emerge under the lights at Stafford.
In addition to the on-track action, families are encouraged to visit the Monaco Modified Kids’ Club presented by Mr. Rooter on the Stafford midway from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Kids ages 12 and under can enroll to enjoy games and fun activities while receiving this week’s exclusive giveaway — an official Mr. Rooter Kids’ Club t-shirt. Is your child not yet a member? Membership is FREE – join now at MonacoModifieds.com/kids-club.
Adult fans can also stop by the midway, where Surfside and Super Lyte will once again offer product sampling of their vodka-infused teas and lemonades, and vodka +ade drinks, along with giveaways throughout the evening. The popular fan activation has become a staple of Monaco Modified events, giving race fans ages 21 and older the opportunity to sample products and take home fun giveaways.
Wednesday’s GAF Roofing Modified Masters also features a slate of bonus awards and contingencies. Northeast Performance Parts will award a $500 gift card to the race’s halfway leader, while Van Horst General Contractors will present a $500 Hard Charger Award to the driver who advances the most positions during the feature. Creative Racing Products will provide a $500 gift card to the race winner, and Constantine Paving & Sealing will award a $250 bonus to the driver who leads the most laps.
The championship battle remains razor-thin as the Monaco Modified Series heads into race four of its nine-race season. McKennedy leads the Union Insurance Group/USNEPower championship standings, with Williams, Kyle Bonsignore, Michael Christopher Jr., and Ron Silk rounding out the current top five. Those same top-5 drivers are also battling for the season-long USNEPower Energizer Zone bonus, which will award $2,000 to the highest-finishing competitor who spends the most weeks inside the top five in points.
Complete race-day information, including the schedule and the entry list, is available at MonacoModifieds.com’s Race Central. Discounted general-admission advance tickets for the GAF Roofing Modified Masters are available for purchase through Stafford Motor Speedway. Those not able to attend in person can catch all the evening’s action on FloRacing.