STAFFORD’S SPRING SIZZLER 

This past weekend, NASCAR Featherlite Modified Series teammates Renee Dupuis and Dave Etheridge competed in Stafford Motor Speedway’s 33rd annual Spring Sizzler event. 

With 52 cars vying for just 33 starting spots – making the field proved to be an accomplishment in itself. Thru time trials, Dupuis beat-out 42 other drivers to qualify 10th – her best qualifying effort in more than two years! After the re-draw (the top-ten qualifiers re-drew for stating position) Dupuis began the 200-lap event from the fourth position. Etheridge, who drew the eighth position to take time (an early timing position forces drivers to qualify on a racing surface covered with tire rubber from other divisions – a proven and severe disadvantage), used a provisional to get into the show. Etheridge started from the 30th spot. 

Prior to the start of the race, both drivers participated in Stafford’s “Pit Party.” Both Dupuis and Etheridge signed autograph cards, met with fans and posed for pictures. 

From the drop of the green flag - and thru the first several caution periods - Dupuis convincingly fought amongst the Series’ most accomplished teams to maintain her top-ten position. In the meantime, Etheridge easily worked his way up from the back of the pack into the top-20. Just prior to the halfway mark, both teams made scheduled pit stops under caution to take on fresh tires.  

At about lap 120, Dupuis’ entire air cleaner assembly flew off the No. 90 car (the stud that is threaded into the carburetor – to which the air cleaner assembly is mounted – inexplicably snapped). NASCAR promptly issued the black flag for Dupuis – however, the team lost just 10 laps (under green flag conditions) replacing the stud and assembly. 

In the end, only 11 cars remained on the lead lap. Etheridge – who was just one lap down – finished in 14^th place. Dupuis – who never went down a lap while on the track – came home in 21^st. The broadcast schedule for the ‘Sizzler’ has not yet been released. 

Following just the second event of the season, Dupuis is ranked 13^th in the seasonal point standings and Etheridge is currently 24^th. 

Dupuis and Etheridge will next be in action at Connecticut’s Waterford Speedbowl on Saturday, May 15. The 1/3-mile bullring promises to be one of the most difficult races to qualify for – only 30 cars (one of the smallest fields of the season) will make the show. We’ll be sure to update you after the race.