Hodgdon has new ride at Stafford

Matt Buckler, Journal Inquirer, Manchester, Conn.
·2 min read

Nov. 22—STAFFORD — Same driver. Different race car.

Ted Hodgdon of Danbury announced he will be teaming up with Dan Avery of Somers for the 2022 season in the SK Modified division at Stafford Motor Speedway. Hodgdon will be aboard the No. 22 car owned by Avery and driven for the past two seasons by Chase Dowling, who collected one win in 2021, but left the team before the end of the season.

Hodgdon, Stafford's 2019 SK Lite champion, has competed in the SK division at Stafford for the past two years in his No. 55 car, finishing 14th in the 2021 standings. His best finish was a second-place run on Aug. 27.

The No. 55 car will be upgraded into an Open Modified, giving Hodgdon a ride in all seven of Stafford's Open shows, including the Spring Sizzler on April 24.

Hodgdon will have a new look, however, when it comes to weekly SK Modified racing.

"This is a great opportunity for me," Hodgdon said. "We have been talking about this the last couple of years, but everything finally came together."

Veteran crew chief Mike O'Sullivan will be back working on the 22. J.G. Poulin Drywall will also be returning as sponsor, along with Montanari Fuel and Petit Racing Engines. Avery, who has been racing at Stafford for five decades, is the car owner.

"I'm pretty confident that we're going to have a great season," Hodgdon said. "This is a great situation for me."

Hodgdon said he'll be looking forward to the start of the season and the Spring Sizzler.

"I'll be doing double duty that weekend," Hodgdon said. "We're only going to race the Open shows at Stafford to give me a chance how to learn to drive a car with the extra power."

Not only will Hodgdon have extra power, he has extra enthusiasm. For Hodgdon, April 24 can't take place quickly enough.