Spring Sizzler

The Spring Sizzler was created by Bruce Cohen, Dick Berggren & Lew Boyd. The trio’s plan was to promote the race as a means to raise money for their “Jewish Lightning” race team. They approached Stafford Speedway owner Jack Arute, who liked the idea of a big modified race during the spring because most big events were held later in the year.

They promoted under the moniker Ink, Incorporated and in the spring of 1972, despite threatening rain all weekend, they held a wildly successful event. The packed house of over 10,000 saw Fred DeSarro take advantage of leader Ed Flemke blowing a fuel pump with about 10 laps to go to take the win. The rains came during victory lane ceremonies.

Arute bought the rights to the event from the trio the following season and the Sizzler has since become one of the longest running traditions in southern New England racing. Now known as “The Greatest Race in the History of Spring”, the Sizzler’s winners list is a who’s who of modified racing heavyweights over the years. Part of the NASCAR Modified tour from 1985-2021, the race is now one of Stafford’s own Open Modified events.

Ted Christopher won the Sizzler a record 6 times, including the 1988 version which was the only season it was an SK Modified race. Mike Stefanik and Doug Coby have each won 4 times. Maynard Troyer, Richie Evans, Rick Fuller and Bobby Santos III are 3-time Spring Sizzler winners. Troyer (1977-1979) and Christopher (2008-2010) are the only drivers to win the race in 3 consecutive years.

SPRING SIZZLER WINNERS

YEAR	RACE WINNER	LAPS	SANCTION
04-16-72	FRED DeSARRO	80
04-15-73	ED FLEMKE	80
04-13-74	BUGSY STEVENS	80
04-13-75	RICHIE EVANS	80
05-30-76	RICHIE EVANS	80
04-17-77	MAYNARD TROYER	80
04-16-78	MAYNARD TROYER	80
04-22-79	MAYNARD TROYER	80
04-13-80	GEOFF BODINE	80
04-12-81	BOB POLVERARI	80
04-18-82	GREG SACKS	80
04-17-83	GREG SACKS	80
04-23-84	JIMMY SPENCER	80
04-14-85	RICHIE EVANS	80	NASCAR Modified Tour
04-13-86	BRIAN ROSS	80	NASCAR Modified Tour
04-12-87	REGGIE RUGGIERO	80	NASCAR Modified Tour
04-10-88	TED CHRISTOPHER	80	SK Modified race
05-07-89	MIKE STEFANIK	100	NASCAR Modified Tour
04-22-90	MIKE STEFANIK	200	NASCAR Modified Tour
05-24-91	JEFF FULLER	200	NASCAR Modified Tour
04-12-92	RICK FULLER	200	NASCAR Modified Tour
04-18-93	REGGIE RUGGIERO	200	NASCAR Modified Tour
04-18-94	MIKE EWANITSKO	200	NASCAR Modified Tour
04-23-95	MIKE EWANITSKO	200	NASCAR Modified Tour
04-21-96	JAN LEATY	200	NASCAR Modified Tour
04-27-97	MIKE STEFANIK	200	NASCAR Modified Tour
05-03-98	MIKE STEFANIK	200	NASCAR Modified Tour
04-25-99	RICK FULLER	200	NASCAR Modified Tour
04-30-00	RICK FULLER	200	NASCAR Modified Tour
04-29-01	JOHN BLEWETT III	200	NASCAR Modified Tour
05-05-02	TED CHRISTOPHER	200	NASCAR Modified Tour
04-27-03	TED CHRISTOPHER	200	NASCAR Modified Tour
04-25-04	JERRY MARQUIS	200	NASCAR Modified Tour
04-24-05	TONY HIRSCHMAN JR	200	NASCAR Modified Tour
04-23-06	DOUG COBY	200	NASCAR Modified Tour
04-29-07	DONNY LIA	200	NASCAR Modified Tour
04-27-08	TED CHRISTOPHER	200	NASCAR Modified Tour
04-26-09	TED CHRISTOPHER	200	NASCAR Modified Tour
05-01-10	TED CHRISTOPHER	200	NASCAR Modified Tour
04-30-11	BOBBY SANTOS III	200	NASCAR Modified Tour
04-29-12	DOUG COBY	200	NASCAR Modified Tour
04-28-13	BOBBY SANTOS III	200	NASCAR Modified Tour
04-27-14	BOBBY SANTOS III	200	NASCAR Modified Tour
04-26-15	WOODY PITKAT	200	NASCAR Modified Tour
04-24-16	DOUG COBY	200	NASCAR Modified Tour
04-30-17	RYAN PREECE	200	NASCAR Modified Tour
04-29-18	RYAN PREECE	200	NASCAR Modified Tour
05-11-19	DOUG COBY	200	NASCAR Modified Tour
2020	no race held		global pandemic
04-30-21	PATRICK EMERLING	150	NASCAR Modified Tour
04-24-22	MATT HIRSCHMAN	100
05-13-23	RON SILK	100