Donny Lia drove the fabled #4 Bob Garbarino owned "Mystic Missle" to its first ever Sizzler victory in a race that helped propel Lia and the Garbarino team to the 2007 Whelen Modified Tour championship.

The race came down to a two-man race between Lia and 2003 WMT Champion Todd Szegedy. A caution on lap-193 of 200 slowed the action with Lia in the lead and set the stage for an old fashioned sprint to the finish.

Szegedy took the lead from Lia on the lap-196 restart, but Lia got back around Szegedy on lap-198 and he held Szegedy off to the checkered flag to take the victory. Szegedy made a final charge off Turn 4 on the final lap but fell .13 seconds short. Lia and Szegedy swapped the lead three times over the final 29 laps and twice within the final five.

Szegedy came from the 22nd starting position finish second. Jerry Marquis was third, Mike Stefanik was fourth after taking a provisional starting position, and Zach Sylvester rounded out the Top-5 in the Racing Against Cancer Pontiac.

There were 11 lead changes during the race among 11 drivers.

Matt Hirschman set fast time in qualifying with a new track record time of 18.009 seconds at an average speed of 99.950 mph.

Click here to relive the 36th Annual Spring Sizzler - 2007

Doug Coby, who began his racing career at the Stafford Motor Speedway at the age of 16 in the Late Model division, drove to his first career NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour victory by winning the 35th Annual Tech-Net Spring Sizzler presented by CARQUEST.

Coby and #77 Chase Racing team used pit strategy to their advantage, as they pitted earlier than some other front runners and then took over the lead when they eventually came to pit road. Coby inherited the lead on lap-135 when leader Rick Fuller came to pit road along with Chuck Hossfeld, Mike Andrews, and Jimmy Blewett. Once Coby took over the lead, he never relinquished it as he led the final 65 laps.

The race began with Chuck Hossfeld leading the first 21 laps before yielding the lead to John Blewett, III. Blewett held the top spot until lap-53, when Todd Szegedy took a turn up front. Szegedy led until lap-87, when Ted Christopher moved out front. Christopher was one of the final leaders to come to pit road for fresh tires, and he held the lead until he pitted under caution on lap-117. Christopher's pit stop put Rick Fuller out front, but Fuller, who had pitted once earlier in the race, came back down pit road on lap-135, which put Coby in command of the race.

Coby had Donny Lia hounding him over the final 10-laps of the race, but Coby was able to navigate his way through lapped traffic well enough to hold off Lia at the checkered flag. Rounding out the top-5 behind Coby and Lia were Eric Beers, Mike Stefanik, and Ted Christopher.

Lia set fast time in qualifying with a time of 18.600 seconds at an average speed of 96.774 mph to win his second consecutive Tech-Net Spring Sizzler Bud Pole.

Click here to relive the 35th Annual Spring Sizzler - 2006

Tony Hirschman did his best Danny Sullivan impersonation, as he spun and won the 34th annual Tech-Net Spring Sizzler presented by CARQUEST at Stafford Motor Speedway. On lap-28 of 200, Hirschman was attempting to pass Nevin George for second place. The two cars made contact, and Hirschman spun but was able to keep his car moving. Hirschman lost a multitude of positions, but remained on the lead lap.

Todd Szegedy, who was subbing for an injured Eric Beers, held the race lead until lap-56, when Ted Christopher dove under Szegedy on a restart after a multi-car accident on lap-50.

A caution on lap-76 for Ken Barry brought several cars to pit road on lap-79 under caution, including Hirschman. Several other leaders pitted on lap-88 under caution, which moved Hirschman up to 10th in the running order. The remaining lead lap cars pitted under caution on lap-121, which put Jamie Tomaino into the lead and Hirschman into second. Hirschman took the lead from Tomaino one lap after the field went back to green on lap-129, and Zach Sylvester moved into second behind Hirschman.

On lap-196, Donny Lia caught the frontstretch wall and brought the caution back out, setting up a green white checkered finish. Hirschman was able to hold off Sylvester over the final two laps, and he took the checkered flag by .28 seconds. Rounding out the top-5 behind Hirschman and Sylvester were Todd Szegedy, Reggie Ruggiero, and Ted Christopher.

Lia set fast time in Bud Pole Qualifying with a time of 18.413 seconds at an average speed of 97.757 mph.

Click here to relive the 34th Annual Spring Sizzler - 2005

Spring Sizzler tradition came full circle as Jerry Marquis, driving the car formerly owned by Len Boeher, won the 33rd annual edition of the Spring Sizzler. Boehler won the inaugural Spring Sizzler with Fred DeSarro behind the wheel in 1972.

Marquis won the 33rd annual Tech-Net Spring Sizzler presented by CARQUEST after having to use a provisional and start the race from the 29th position. Marquis' starting position marked the deepest a Tech-Net Spring Sizzler winner has started in the race's 33-year history.

Ed Flemke, Jr. led the first 10-laps from the pole before Chuck Hossfeld took over on lap-11. Hossfeld would lead the race up to lap-117, when he pitted for tires. Hossfeld passed up an earlier opportunity to pit on lap-81 when all the lead lap cars decided to pit under a caution flag. Hossfeld's pit stop put Marquis in front, and he stayed out front for the final 83-laps of the race.

The race came down to a 19-lap sprint to the finish with Marquis, Tony Hirschman, and Flemke locked in a nose to tail three-car battle for the win. The final 10-laps saw Hirschman get alongside Marquis nearly every lap with Flemke waiting to take advantage of a mistake, but Marquis held off Hirschman by .31 seconds at the checkered flag.

Rounding out the top-5 behind Marquis, Hirschman, and Flemke were Todd Szegedy and Tom Bolles. Todd Szegedy set fast time in Bud Pole Qualifying with a time of 18.224 seconds at an average speed of 98.771 mph.

Click here to relive the 33rd Annual Spring Sizzler - 2004

Ted Christopher won his second consecutive Spring Sizzler, joining Richie Evans, Maynard Troyer, Greg Sacks, Mike Stefanik, Mike Ewanitsko, and Rick Fuller as repeat Sizzler winners. Christopher also became the first driver to win a Spring Sizzler after starting the race in the pole position.

Christopher led the first 22 laps of the race before Nevin George took over the top spot. Christopher would not get back to the lead position until lap-157.

Leaders of the race from lap-23 to lap-157 included George, Ed Flemke, Jerry Marquis, and Eric Beers. Flemke appeared to have the strongest car, leading from lap-57-115 before surrendering the lead to pit for fresh tires. Once back on the track, Flemke was charging through the field.

The race for the win came down to the last 10-laps between Christopher and Flemke. Flemke moved past Christopher on lap-193, but on lap-196, Christopher and Flemke made contact, with Flemke hitting the wall and ending his chances at victory. Christopher would go on to win the race by a half-second over eventual series Champion Todd Szegedy.

Rounding out the top-5 behind Christopher and Szegedy were Tony Hirschman, Chuck Hossfeld, and Ken Wooley, Jr. Tony Hirschman was the Bud Pole winner with a fast time of 18.703 seconds.

Click here to relive the 32nd Annual Spring Sizzler - 2003

Ted Christopher was the winner of the 31st annual CARQUEST Tech-Net Spring Sizzler in dominating fashion, leading 150 of the race's 200 laps.

Christopher was heavily pressured by Chuck Hossfeld for the lead during the first 100 laps of the event. The race went green from lap-86 to lap-133 and Christopher was able to stretch his lead over second place Todd Szegedy to a full straightaway. But that lead was erased by the caution flag when Jamie Asklar stopped on the backstretch.

Under the caution, Christopher and the majority of the lead lap cars came to pit road for service. Christopher's car was strong on the restart, but as he was coming through traffic back to the front, he and Tom Baldwin made contact, which nearly ended Christopher's day in the turn 1+2 fence.

Dave Berghman held a solid lead over Tommy Cravenho, but 3-time Sizzler winner Rick Fuller was marching to the front. Berghman held the lead until lap-174, when on a restart, both Fuller and Christopher went under Berghman, dropping him to third. Christopher wasted little time and took the lead from Fuller the next lap.

Christopher would lead the final 26 circuits around the track and he took the checkered flag in a convincing win. Christopher led a total of 3 times for 150 laps, and covered the 100-mile race distance at an average speed of 56.127 mph. He pocketed $10,280 for the victory.

Ken Wooley, Jr. was the Bud Pole winner with a qualifying time of 18.175 seconds at an average speed of 99.037 mph. Christopher was the Gatorade Front Runner by virtue of leading the most laps in the race, and Todd Szegedy was the Butler Built Rookie of the Race.

Click here to relive the 31st Annual Spring Sizzler - 2002

John Blewett, III was the winner of the 30th annual CARQUEST Tech-Net Spring Sizzler. Blewett took over the lead of the race when Mike Stefanik and Rick Fuller made contact on lap-183 while battling for the lead. Both Fuller and Stefanik spun out and hit the wall in turns 1 and 2. Fuller lost several laps, while Stefanik was able to continue and finish 6th.

Ted Christopher took the lead from Rob Summers on lap-8 and led the race to lap-142, when Stefanik took over the lead.

Christopher would retake the lead on lap-150 when Stefanik's car bobbled in turn 4 and led until lap-160, when a caution flag brought the leaders to pit road. Stefanik won the race off pit road, and was followed by Summers, Christopher, Blewett, and Rick Fuller.

Entering turn 1 on lap-183, Fuller dove to the inside to attempt a pass for the lead. Fuller and Stefanik made contact, which sent them both spinning and made Blewett the leader of the race.

As the race went back to green on lap-188, Blewett's car came to life and he opened up some distance between himself and the battle for second. The second place battle was a torrid 5-car, side by side battle between Reggie Ruggerio, Christopher, Jerry Marquis, Tony Hirschman, and Stefanik. The side by side racing allowed Blewett to pull away as he drove to a 1.52 second victory over Ruggerio, Christopher, Marquis, and Hirschman.

The win was the first career Sizzler victory for Blewett, who became the 17th different winner of the Sizzler in the race's 30-year history.

Click here to relive the 30th Annual Spring Sizzler - 2001

Rick Fuller became the sixth different driver to win consecutive Spring Sizzler events.

After dominating for much of the race, Reggie Ruggerio had an ingnition box failure on a lap-191 restart, and Fuller was able to make the pass for the lead.

Ruggerio was able to change the ignition box and held onto the second position. But the temporary loss of power was enough for Fuller to gain an advantage that he wouldn't lose in the final 9 laps of the race.

Ruggerio finished second, with Ed Flemke, Jamie Tomaino, and Tim Connolly rounding out the top-5.

Click here to relive the 29th Annual Spring Sizzler - 2000

Rick Fuller used the old adage that the only lap you need to lead is the last lap to his advantage, as he came roaring through the field in the late stage of the race and passed leader Tony Hirschman on the final lap to capture his second career Sizzler.

After going green from lap-75 to lap-191, Fuller, Chris Kopec, Tom Baldwin, and Carl Pasteryak pitted for new tires when the caution flew for a Charlie Pasteryak spin. Hirschman and Ed Flemke, Jr. had pitted back on lap-75 and decided to stay out.

Fuller restarted fourth, and moved into second when the caution flew for a Jack Bateman spin on lap-196. On the green-white-checkered restart, Fuller powered by Hirschman and led only the final lap. Chris Kopec also got around Hirschman to take second, while Hirschman finished third.

Click here to relive the 28th Annual Spring Sizzler - 1999

Mike Stefanik drove to a record setting fourth Spring Sizzler win in the 27th Annual CARQUEST Spring Sizzler.

Stefanik overtook race leader Doug French on lap-135 and led the rest of the way for his 47th career Modified Series win.

Tim Connolly was second, with Tony Ferrante, Jr., Jan Leaty, and Charlie Pasteryak rounding out the top-5.

Click here to relive the 27th Annual Spring Sizzler - 1998

Fast qualifier Mike Stefanik (18.899) became the third driver to win three Sizzlers as he guided the #6 Burnham Boilers Chevrolet to victory.

The win was his 36th career FMS win, breaking a tie with Reggie Ruggerio for the all-time series win lead. Stefanik took command early and held the top spot until he pitted for tires on lap-98.

Ted Christopher assumed the lead of the race, with Ruggerio and Jamie Tomaino right behind him. Christopher and Ruggerio both pitted on lap-137 for tires, which gave the lead to Tomaino. It lasted only one lap as Stefanik used an inside move to take the lead for good. Ruggerio stormed through the field to finish second, followed by Mike Ewanitsko.

Click here to relive the 26th Annual Spring Sizzler - 1997

Mike Ewanitsko's Sizzler streak was snapped at two, as Jan Leaty became the 17th different winner of the "Greatest Race in the History of Spring."

Dominating the early part of the race, '92 winner Rick Fuller led 144 of the first 150 laps. Encountering lap traffic on lap-151, Fuller found himself trapped in the low groove behind Tim Connolly. With nowhere to go, Fuller watched as Leaty swept to the high side through turn 3 and took the lead.

Fuller was able to clear the lap traffic the next lap, but it was too late. He and the Polar Beverage team were forced to settle for second as Leaty went on to capture his first Stafford victory.

Tony Hirschman, Tom Bolles, and fast qualifier (19.179) Ed Kennedy rounded out the top-5.

Click here to relive the 25th Annual Spring Sizzler - 1996

Mike Ewanitsko joined Richie Evans, Maynard Troyer, Greg Sacks, and Mike Stefanik as the only drivers to win consecutive Spring Sizzler events.

Ewanitsko took the lead on lap-178 after a torrid battle with race runner-up Rick Fuller. Ewanitsko had a tense moment on lap-61 when he was involved in a multi-car incident off turn 2. With no significant damage, the red #21 remained on the lead lap and began his journey through the field.

Reggie Ruggerio led the first 71 laps of the race before being passed by Satch Worley. Ruggerio would regain the lead on lap-130. After applying heavy pressure, Rick Fuller was able to move around Ruggerio to take the lead. Fuller's time at the front was short-lived, as Ewanitsko quickly moved into the lead on lap-178 and won his second Sizzler in as many years.

Fuller held on for second, with Mike Stefanik, Dan Avery, and Satch Worley rounding out the top-5.

Click here to relive the 24th Annual Spring Sizzler - 1995

Mike Ewanitsko escaped a faulty air gun during a pit stop and claimed victory in Art Barry's Spearpoint #21.

Winning the Busch Pole Award (19.190), Ewanitsko led the final 83 laps, finishing seven seconds ahead of Jan Leaty. He also led laps 32 through 95.

It was an emotional win for Barry, a Stafford fixture since the track was paved in 1967. It was Barry's first Sizzler win.

Reggie Ruggerio turned in a sterling performance. Plagued with qualifying problems, Ruggerio was forced to start 27th in the 28 car field. He would finish third, just behind Leaty.

Click here to relive the 23rd Annual Spring Sizzler - 1994

Reggie Ruggerio, in Ed Cloce's #69, took the lead from Rick Fuller on lap-153 and romped to a convincing win, his second Sizzler triumph. In both of his Sizzler victories, Ruggerio started 10th.

Jeff Fuller, who was the polesitter for the 22nd annual Sizzler, led the first 51 laps before falling out of the race due to electrical problems. Mike Stefanik moved into the lead on lap-52, and led the race until lap-105, when Ruggerio moved past Stefanik into the lead. Hopes of a Ruggerio-Stefanik battle to the end were dashed on lap-149 when Stefanik was involved in a crash on a restart.

A cut tire dropped Rick Fuller out of second place with only 4 laps remaining. Doug Heveron took second, followed by Tom Baldwin, Satch Worley, and Sizzler rookie Tim Connolly.

The victory was a special one for Cloce, who had been part of the Sizzler scene since its inception in 1972.

Click here to relive the 22nd Annual Spring Sizzler - 1993

Rick Fuller joined brother Jeff on the Sizzler winners list, coming from far back in the field. Fuller took the lead on lap-150 and held off a hard charging Mike Stefanik to win the race by less than a car length. The win was the second Sizzler triumph for car owner Mario Fiore.

Jeff Fuller was a half lap ahead of the field when the caution flew on lap-137, which ended a string of 100 consecutive green flag laps. Almost a lap down, Rick Fuller came to pit road and the Fiore team gave him an exceptional pit stop that put Fuller back on track among the leaders.

Chris Aman had the lead when the race went back to green on lap-143. Rick caught and passed Aman seven laps later, opening the door for brother Jeff to move into second. Stefanik got around Jeff with 27 laps to go, and pressured Rick for the lead, but came up less than a car length short at the finish line. Rounding out the top-5 behind Rick and Stefanik was Jeff Fuller, Doug Heveron, and Mike McLaughlin.

Click here to relive the 21st Annual Spring Sizzler - 1992

Jeff Fuller set fast time in qualifying on April 20 and came back 30 days later due to rain to win the 20th annual Spring Sizzler.

Fuller drove the final 45-laps with a broken power-steering pump, finishing ahead of a trio of Long Islanders.

Fuller took the lead of the race from Mike Ewanitsko on lap-118 to become the race's sixth and final leader. Other race leaders were pole sitter Carl Pasteryak, Reggie Ruggerio, Rick Fuller and Wayne Anderson.

Rounding out the top-5 behind was Anderson, George Brunnhoelzl, Steve Park, and Doug Hevron.

Click here to relive the 20th Annual Spring Sizzler - 1991

Pointing out lady luck was always on his side at Stafford, Mike Stefanik joined Richie Evans, Maynard Troyer, and Greg Sacks as the only drivers to win consecutive Sizzlers.

Stefanik took the lead from George Kent on a lap-165 restart. Reggie Ruggerio appeared to have the dominant car, but lost a tire which brought out the caution. The 200-lap event had only three leaders: Mike McLaughlin (1-66), Ruggerio (97-164), and Stefanik (165-200).

For the second consecutive year, McLaughlin finished second behind Stefanik. George Kent was third, with Rick Fuller fourth, and Reggie Ruggerio fifth.

Ruggerio had set fast time in qualifying with a 19.474 second effort. Tony Hirschman passed the most cars, coming from 29th starting spot to finish 9th.

Click here to relive the 19th Annual Spring Sizzler - 1990

A Carl Pasteryak - Reggie Ruggerio tangle on lap-49 put Mike Stefanik into the lead of the race, a lead that Stefanik wouldn't relinquish as he drove to his very first Sizzler victory.

The Rhode Island resident had no easy time winning the race as Mike McLaughlin was applying heavy pressure over the final laps, but was unable to make the pass.

McLaughlin was second, followed by Richie Gallup, Tom Bolles, and Doug Heveron.

Click here to relive the 18th Annual Spring Sizzler - 1989

As we remember the life and times of Jack Arute, Sr., who passed away Monday, April 3, the 17th Annual Spring Sizzler in 1988 was a special day for Jack.

Six years earlier, Arute recognized the cost of modified racing was spiraling out of control and he created the SK Modified® division as a cost effective way to go modified racing. And on April 10, 1988, his baby took to the track as the main attraction of "The Biggest Race in the History of Spring."

The 17th annual Spring Sizzler belonged to the SK Modified division. Ted Christopher started 5th, and passed both Bob Potter and Bo Gunning over the final 25-laps of the race to claim the victory.

Gunning had taken the lead from Richie Gallup on lap-12, and led until lap-59, when Christopher was able to make the pass for the lead. At the finish line it was Christopher, followed by Potter, Gunning, Ed Spires, Chuck Docherty, and Mike Christopher.

Potter had competed in the inaugural Spring Sizzler in 1972 as did Moose Hewett, the 28th place finisher. There were only two caution periods.

The top-3 finishers from the 1988 Spring Sizzler have accounted for a grand total of 13 Stafford Speedway SK Modified® track championships and 148 SMS SK Modified® feature wins, as well as numerous track championships and feature wins at other area tracks. The 1988 Spring Sizzler validated the status of the SK Modified® on the local racing scene, and today, the SK Modified® car is the feature car at all three Connecticut race tracks, further validating the vision of Jack Arute, Sr.

Click here to relive the 17th Annual Spring Sizzler - 1988

Reggie Ruggiero, driving Mario Fiore's #44, became the first driver to pit twice and win an 80-lap Sizzler. Ruggerio, who started the race in 10th, pitted almost immediately for a flat left-front tire. He pitted once again at the halfway point.

On lap-73, Ruggerio moved past George Brunnhoelzl and into the lead. Brunnhoelzl, who led laps 27 through 72, wound up finishing second to Ruggerio. Rounding out the top-5 was Jamie Tomaino third, Jimmy Spencer fourth, and George Kent fifth. Spencer was the outside pole sitter and he led the first 26-laps of the race.

Click here to relive the 16th Annual Spring Sizzler - 1987

Brian Ross stormed back from disappointment in '85 to win in '86. Gaining more fodder for the New Yorkers, Ross started fourth and assumed command of the race on lap-71 when leader Charlie Jarzombek dropped out of the race with motor problems.

Corky Cookman applied some late race pressure to Ross, but had to settle for his second runner-up spot in the last three Sizzlers.

Rounding out the top-5 behind Cookman were pole sitter Jamie Tomaino, who led the first 43 laps, Mike Stefanik, and Jimmy Spencer.

Click here to relive the 15th Annual Spring Sizzler - 1986

Richie Evans joined the Sizzler three-time winners list, joining Maynard Troyer.

Evans took over the lead of the race on lap-62 from Brian Ross. Ross would later say that he thought Evans was a lapped car. With two laps remaining, Ross got by Evans, but a caution came out immediately and Evans regained the lead on the restart.

It was Evans' final Sizzler and the first race ever run at Stafford as a part of the NASCAR Modified Tour. Ross was second, with Reggie Ruggerio, Jimmy Spencer, and Mike Stefanik rounding out the top-5.

Click here to relive the 14th Annual Spring Sizzler - 1985

Crowd favorite Jimmy Spencer gave indications of things to come by winning the 13th Sizzler.

The Pennsylvania driver started on the outside pole and battled pole sitter Stan Gregor for the first 31-laps of the race. When Gregor lost a motor, Spencer took over the lead for good and drove to victory despite pressure from Corky Cookman over the final laps.

Cookman, Brian Ross, Ed St. Angelo, and Tony Hirschman rounded out the top-5.

Click here to relive the 13th Annual Spring Sizzler - 1984

Greg Sacks joined Maynard Troyer and Richie Evans on the multiple Sizzler winners list. He also started a new list, becoming the first driver to both pit and win during the 80-lap event.

Sacks took the lead from Charlie Jarzombek on lap-11, and was still leading when he pitted on lap-53 while under caution for tires. He regained the lead on lap-73, when he passed Reggie Ruggerio. Sacks then led the final laps to secure his second Sizzler victory in a row.

Ruggerio finished second for the second straight year. Rounding out the top-5 was Brett Bodine, Brian Ross, and Ken Bouchard.

Click here to relive the 12th Annual Spring Sizzler - 1983

Greg Sacks handled a late rush by Reggie Ruggerio and went on to claim the '82 Sizzler in Ernie Wilsberg's #5.

Taking over the lead on lap-15, Sacks was dominating the race before Ruggerio caught him in the late stages of the race to finish less than a car length behind.

Rounding out the top-5 was Ken Bouchard, George Summers, and Maynard Troyer.

Click here to relive the 11th Annual Spring Sizzler - 1982

Without question, Bob Polverari owns the most exciting victory in Sizzler history. The West Springfield, MA veteran, driving the black #711, beat Richie Evans to the checkered flag by inches after starting 13th.

Polverari took command of the race on lap-71 when leader Maynard Troyer retired with a faulty clutch. Evans had charged back through the field after pitting for tires, and sat in fourth place when a caution came out with only 4-laps to go. Evans immediately moved to Polverari's bumper, but couldn't complete the pass. Following Evans was Reggie Ruggerio, who was making his first Sizzler start, Greg Sacks, and rounding out the top-5 was Corky Cookman.

Richie Evans set a new track record in qualifying with a 19.46 second effort.

Click here to relive the 10th Annual Spring Sizzler - 1981

The 1980 Spring Sizzler was Geoff Bodine's final Stafford victory.

One of the most successful competitors ever to race at Stafford, the three time champion (1975, 1977, 1978) actually came back from North Carolina to completely dominate the event. It brought to completion Bodine's Stafford history.

Taking the lead from Jerry Cook on lap-29, Bodine finished 9 car lengths ahead of Bugs Stevens. Charlie Jarzombek was third, with Bobby Vee fourth and John Rosati rounding out the top-5.

Click here to relive the 9th Annual Spring Sizzler - 1980

Maynard Troyer literally powered his way to a third straight Sizzler triumph. Over the final 17-laps, Ron Bouchard, who had pitted on lap-30 for tires, tested Troyer relentlessly. Several times Bouchard pulled even with Troyer only to have Troyer out-power him down the straightaway.

Taking the lead on lap-18 from Bobby Vee, Troyer handled challenges from Bugs Stevens and Ed Flemke before the Bouchard threat. Ken Bouchard finished fourth and Bob Polverari fifth.

Troyer also set fast time in qualifying with a 19.96 second effort.

Click here to relive the 8th Annual Spring Sizzler - 1979

Winner Maynard Troyer and Richie Evans put on an outstanding show battling for the lead throughout the event.

Troyer took the lead on lap-18 from Fred DeSarro. Evans was on Troyer's bumper by lap-40, and the duo engaged in a battle for the lead a half-lap ahead of the rest of the field. Evans decided to gamble on a pit stop for tires and set up one of the event's greatest finishes. Evans blazed back up through the field, but ran out of laps and wound up third behind Sizzler rookie Bob Polverari. Polverari's finish remains the best ever finish for a Sizzler rookie.

Troyer's 20.26 second run in qualifying earned him fast time honors.

Click here to relive the 7th Annual Spring Sizzler - 1978

Winner Maynard Troyer and Richie Evans put on an outstanding show battling for the lead throughout the event. Troyer took the lead on lap-18 from Fred DeSarro. Evans was on Troyer's bumper by lap-40, and the duo engaged in a battle for the lead a half-lap ahead of the rest of the field. Evans decided to gamble on a pit stop for tires and set up one of the event's greatest finishes. Evans blazed back up through the field, but ran out of laps and wound up third behind Sizzler rookie Bob Polverari. Polverari's finish remains the best ever finish for a Sizzler rookie. Maynard Troyer's 20.26 second run in qualifying earned him fast time honors.

Click here to relive the 6th Annual Spring Sizzler - 1977

Richie Evans continued to set Sizzler precedents. After battling with Geoff Bodine for much of the race, Evans drove to victory to become the first driver to win two Sizzlers and also was the first driver to lead the race from green to checkered. Twice a victim to rain, the race was run on Memorial Day. Bodine placed second, with Ray Hendrick, Fred DeSarro, and Brian Ross rounding out the top-5. Satch Worley made his first Sizzler a memorable one, sitting on the pole in the Clarence's Steak House #26 Vega. Don LaJoie, driving Bob Johnson's #17, became the second driver to leave the track when he went over Charlie Jarzombek down the backstretch.

Click here to relive the 5th Annual Spring Sizzler - 1976

Richie Evans never tired telling of his woes mastering Stafford's tricky geometry. Evans' long list of Stafford victories started with the '75 Sizzler, the first victory for an "outsider." Ed Flemke was second, followed by Fred Schulz, Ron Bouchard, and Bugs Stevens. The "Rapid Roman" started on the outside pole and beat Bouchard into the first turn. He held the lead until lap-40, when Bouchard took over. Evans would retake the lead on lap-55 and would lead the rest of the way. The rules called for 12.5" rubber. Evans actually won the race using 10" Late Model Sportsman tires.

Click here to relive the 4th Annual Spring Sizzler - 1975

The Bugs Stevens fan club, part of the "In Crowd" at Stafford in the early '70s, got to hoop and holler. Stevens had no easy time putting the Koszela #15 in victory circle. He passed Ron Bouchard on lap-24 but then had to contend with three restarts. Bouchard held on for second, followed by Merv Treichler, Ollie Silva, and Jerry Cook.

Click here to relive the 3rd Annual Spring Sizzler - 1974

The Pinto Revolution was now in full force. Where fortune deserted Ed Flemke in the inaugural event, it stayed with him this year, as the cagey veteran held off a hard charging Fred DeSarro over the final 30-laps. Rounding out the top-5 was Maynard Troyer, Virginian Paul Radford, and Guy Chartrand in Ed Cloce's No. 69. Cloce today remains part of the modified scene. There were 140 modifieds in the pits. This was the first Spring Sizzler promoted by the Arute family.

Click here to relive the Inaugural Spring Sizzler - 1973

Fred DeSarro, in Len Boehler's #3 coupe, assumed the lead of the race with 10-laps to go when fortune deserted Ed Flemke, Sr. in the guise of a broken water pump. DeSarro went onto claim the first ever running of the race. The 33-car starting field included 19 coupes and 14 late model cars, including 7 Pintos. Denis Giroux and Bugs Stevens, also driving coupes, finished second and third behind DeSarro. Leo Cleary was fourth Jerry Cook was fifth. The Inaugural Spring Sizzler, promoted by Bruce Cohen, Dr. Dick Berggren, and Lou Boyd, was an artistic and financial success despite threatening clouds throughout the weekend event.

Click here to relive the Inaugural Spring Sizzler - 1972