Top-10 Finish Puts Stefanik Back In Runner-Up Slot For Crown Chase

Barre, VT (August 31, 2003): Mike Stefanik survived the demanding quarter-mile bullring of Thunder Road to score a tenth place finish and move back to second in the points behind current leader Andy Santerre. With only four races remaining in the 2003 season, Stefanik trails Santerre by only 158 points.

“Thunder Road can bite you hard so to come out of here with a tenth place finish is great,” Stefanik said after the race. “We didn’t have the fastest car out there today, but luck was on our side and we were able to pull off a decent finish and leave with the car in one piece. That’s an accomplishment on a quarter-mile track.”

Stefanik started the Burnham Boilers Chevrolet 16^th in the True Value 150 after posting a lap of 67.848 mph (13.265 seconds) in qualifying. The green flag flew on a chilly 40-degree evening with a full crowd of cheering fans on hand. The outside groove worked to Stefanik’s advantage as he immediately started his assault.

By the 10^th circuit, Stefanik had made his way to the 10^th position and started what turned out to be a race-long endeavor of chasing the 32 of Dale Quarterley. His attempt to catch Quarterley was slowed when the No. 6 of Santerre began to pressure Stefanik for position. The two raced side-by-side and swapped positions on several occasions before Santerre settled into the spot at lap 21.

The first caution of the night waved at lap 44 with Stefanik opting to bring the Burnham Boilers Chevrolet into the pits for an adjustment. The crew was swift with their actions allowing Stefanik to return to the track without incident and putting him at the tail end of the lead lap cars in 15^th place.

Racing resumed at lap 56 with Stefanik putting pressure on the 47 car of Kelly Moore. Stefanik took the position and moved on through the field before caution waved again at lap 75. When green flag action returned at lap 81 Stefanik was running 13^th.

A long green flag run developed allowing Stefanik to maintain his 13^th position before caution flew for the third time of the night at lap 103. Time was running out and Stefanik knew he’d have to pull all the stops out for the conclusion.

But luck played into the hands of Stefanik and the Burnham Boilers team when a multi-car crash developed on the frontstretch at lap 137 involving three of the top-five cars. Just before the caution, Stefanik had moved up to the 11^th position and was still on the move. The restart would give him one final chance at advancement.

Green flew at lap 147 with a three-lap dash to the checkers. Stefanik was able to gain one position before the conclusion of the race and post his seventh top-10 of the season.