Showtime: Nick Anglace Gets First SK Light Modified Win at Stafford in Dramatic Fashion

Photo: Jim DuPont/RaceDayCT

Story by RaceDayCT.com

STAFFORD – The exuberant emotion of a first-time winner was flowing in victory lane at Stafford Speedway following the SK Light Modified feature. 

Conversely, the angry emotion of a driver feeling like a victory was stolen from him was flowing in the paddock. Nick Anglace of Ansonia scored his first career SK Light Modified win in the division’s 20-lap feature Friday at Stafford. 

“Anyone can put four tires on and go out there and lead 20 laps and win a race, but [Alexander Pearl] drove away from us and we had to battle back on those [late] restarts,” Anglace said. “We had to do some things to get into victory lane and I had to do whatever I had to do to get my father to victory lane. He deserved it more than anybody.” 

Pearl, of Salem was second in the side-by-side controversial finish at the line. Steven Champman of Ellington was third. 

“I’m going for my first win, I’ve got to send it, no half send, full send,” Anglace said. 

On a lap 19 restart it was Anglace powering by Pearl for the lead off of turn two in the outside lane. But on the final lap it was Pearl finding a low lane under Anglace going into turn three. 

“He ran me up the track going into turn three and I was like ‘Hopefully this thing sticks,’” Anglace said. 
Anglace and Pearl came off turn four on the final lap side-by-side with Pearl slightly ahead in the low lane coming onto the frontstretch. 

The pair came off the final corner with Anglace’s car hugging the outside wall. Contact between the pair coming to the checkered flag allowed Anglace to grab the lead away just before the finish. Pearl said Anglace turned left into him coming to the checkered flag. Anglace denied that accusation. 

“I didn’t turn left,” Anglance said. “… I was right against the wall and he came up into me. I had a really good run, I wouldn’t jeopardize that. I had a really good run coming off turn four and it was going to be close. I feel like he turned into me. It might have been 50-50 at most. I certainly didn’t turn left into him. I don’t need to race like that.”