STAFFORD SPRINGS, Conn. — One of New England’s most storied short-track traditions takes center stage Saturday, September 26, as the Monaco Modified Series returns to Stafford Motor Speedway to headline the 53rd NAPA Auto Parts Fall Final with 80 laps of Modified racing and $10,000 awaiting the winner.
With a stout field featuring some of Modified racing’s top talent, a championship battle separated by just a handful of points, bonus money and special awards up for grabs, and plenty happening for fans throughout the afternoon, the Fall Final promises to deliver one of the biggest events of the Monaco Modified Series season.
The entry list reads like a who’s who of Northeast Modified racing. Championship leader Jon McKennedy will be joined by fellow title contenders Ron Silk and Ronnie Williams, along with Patrick Emerling, Justin Bonsignore, Austin Beers, Teddy Hogdon, Matt Swanson, Woody Pitkat, Chase Dowling, Michael Christopher Jr., Kyle Bonsignore, Keith Rocco, Andrew Molleur, George Bessette Jr., Tyler Chapman and many more.
Also joining the field is former Daytona 500 and Brickyard 400 champion Ryan Newman, adding another big name to an already loaded Fall Final lineup.
For McKennedy, Silk and Williams, however, Saturday carries significance well beyond the $10,000 winner’s check.
Following the September 6 event at New London-Waterford Speedbowl, McKennedy leads the $50,000 Union Insurance Group/USNEPower Points Championship, with Silk and Williams tied for second — each just nine points behind. With so little separating the championship contenders as the season enters its final stretch, every position — and every point — will matter at Stafford.
The battle for the USNEPower Energizer Zone bonus is equally tight heading into Stafford. McKennedy and Williams currently lead the way with six races each inside the championship’s top five, followed closely by Kyle Bonsignore with five, Ron Silk with four, and Michael Christopher Jr. with three. The driver who spends the most race weeks inside the Energizer Zone will collect a $2,000 bonus at season’s end.
Adding to the stakes will be a full slate of Monaco Modified Series special awards. The $500 Van Horst General Contractors Hard Charger Award will go to the driver advancing the most positions during the feature, while Constantine Paving & Sealing will award $250 to the driver leading the most laps. The race winner will also receive a $500 Creative Racing Products gift card.
At the end of 80 laps, one driver will add his name to the history of the NAPA Fall Final and celebrate a $10,000 victory in Sign Pro Victory Lane.
Fans Take Center Stage During Fall Final Pit Party
Before the racing action takes center stage, fans will have an opportunity to get up close with the cars and stars of the Monaco Modified Series during Stafford’s NAPA Pit Party beginning at 2:15 p.m.
The Monaco Modified Kids’ Club, presented by Mr. Rooter, will join the festivities during the Pit Party, giving the series’ youngest fans a chance to take part in the fun while meeting drivers and getting an up-close look at the cars before they hit the track.
The Kids’ Club is free for children ages 12 and under and has become a fixture at Monaco Modified Series events throughout the 2026 season.
Celebrating the Next Generation of Racers
Saturday’s Fall Final will also put a special spotlight on some of the youngest competitors at Stafford Motor Speedway as the Monaco Modified Series, in partnership with Vinny Beedle’s Mr. Rooter of South-Central Connecticut, Sign Pro and Stafford Motor Speedway, celebrates the 2026 feature winners from the Wild Thing Karts Series.
Invited Wild Thing Kart winners from the Cub, Tiger B/A and Junior Outlaw divisions will receive complimentary admission to the Fall Final and will be paired with Monaco Modified competitors on the starting grid during pre-race festivities. Each young racer will be introduced over the public-address system and presented with a customized plaque courtesy of Sign Pro and a drawstring bag filled with Monaco Modified Series goodies.
The program is especially fitting at Stafford, where the Wild Thing Karts program has helped launch the careers of numerous drivers who have gone on to compete in Modified racing. Saturday gives those young racers an opportunity to experience one of the speedway’s signature events from the other side of the fence — alongside the drivers they may someday race against.
From the next generation of racers to some of the biggest names in Modified racing today, the 53rd NAPA Auto Parts Fall Final will bring them all together Saturday afternoon at Stafford Motor Speedway. With $10,000 on the line, an 80-lap battle ahead, a stacked field of Modified talent and just nine points separating the top three in the championship, the Monaco Modified Series heads to Stafford with plenty at stake.
And when the checkered flag falls, only one driver will make the trip to Sign Pro Victory Lane as a NAPA Fall Final champion.
The 53rd NAPA Auto Parts Fall Final takes place Saturday, September 26, at Stafford Motor Speedway. Grandstands open at 11:30 a.m., with Group Qualifying beginning at 12:45 p.m., followed by heat race action. The NAPA Pit Party gets underway at 2:15 p.m., where fans can get up close with the cars and stars of the Monaco Modified Series and young race fans can take part in the Monaco Modified Kids’ Club presented by Mr. Rooter.
Advance tickets are available at StaffordMotorSpeedway.com. Fans unable to attend can watch the action live on FloRacing.
Photos courtesy of Tom Morris Photography.