Stefanik’s Consistency Continues With 4th Place Finish At Waterford

                Waterford, CT (October 9, 2006): Mike Stefanik posted his 12^th top-10 in as many starts last weekend when he posted a fourth place finish in the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour’s Volunteer Fire Department 150 at Waterford Speedbowl. His consistency and commitment to earning a ninth NASCAR Championship has allowed the Flamingo Motorsports driver to stay a top of the 2006 points standings as the season winds down with two events remaining.

                “We had a decent car and we got a top-five out of it,” said Stefanik. “Although we did lose five points to Teddy (Christopher) and 10 points to (Eddie) Flemke. We’ve got two to go and a 99 point lead. I’d rather be where we’re sitting than where they’re sitting (in the points), but the pressure is on. Ninety-nine points can be lost in a single race so there’s no resting just yet.”

                Stefanik qualified fourth fastest in his No. 16 Diversified Metals Chevrolet, but started on the outside front row following the traditional redraw of top qualifiers. After a three-hour delay, Stefanik was ready to try and get an edge over Flemke when the green dropped.

                “The race was running an hour behind to begin with, but then it was further delayed when the lights wouldn’t work,” Stefanik explained. “I always have a great deal of anticipation going into the race – wondering how everything is going to sort out – but three hours of standing in the cold kind of took that edge off. It made it anti-climatic as far as getting started.”

                Flemke powered to the lead while Stefanik battled a loose condition in his Flamingo Motorsports entry. He was sixth when he finally settled into line.

                “We got loose in early probably because of the stagger that we opened up after qualifying. Our car was extremely loose in the beginning. I went from 2^nd to like 6^th in the first 20 laps,” he said.

                Seven cautions allowed Stefanik to gain some valuable ground – despite being on the receiving end of some of the beating and banging that is typical of short-track action.

                “We managed to take advantage of a few misfortunes,” Stefanik said. “But we were able to dodge a couple of bullets ourselves. At one point, someone ran into the back of me and I got into the back of Chuck Hossfeld. I hated to do that, but I really had no control over it.”

                Stefanik was satisfied with his fourth place finish when the night was said and done, and acknowledged that he could not do it without the help of his dedicated crew.

                “This team is one of the best I’ve worked with,” said Stefanik. “They all give 110 percent each and every week. They deserve a trip to victory lane, and possibly, we’ll be able to get there before the end of the year.  More importantly, they deserve this championship, and we’ve got a realistic shot at it. We’re in the final stretch here, and they’ve never won a title, so nothing would make me happier than to finish off this year with the consistency that’s gotten us to this point. That’s how a title is won.”