(Stafford Springs, CT)---Stafford Speedway's SK Modified® division will welcome another new member for the 2012 season as Danny Cates will join the division. Cates has several top-5 points finishes in the modified division at Thompson Speedway, finishing as high in the points standings as second. Cates came to Stafford for the 2011 CARQUEST Fall Final in preparation for a full season of SK Modified® racing in 2012, where he intends to run for Rookie of the Year honors.

"This is something new for us," said Cates. "We ran at the Fall Final and we had a lot of fun and we really liked the track. You'll find competition is tough at any track you go to, but at Stafford, it seems like it's a bit tougher. We had a few problems during the weekend, but we were pretty fast. I had seen hundreds of races at Stafford but that was our very first time out on the track."

Cates proved to be a fast study during the CARQUEST Fall Final, placing as high as 4th in the practice sessions leading up to the feature event. In the feature, Cates started 22nd and he worked his way through traffic to come home in 7th place at the end of the race. Cates will look to build upon this experience as he readies himself for the 2012 season.

"I think we're going to be behind the 8-ball a bit compared to the other guys in the division, but we have the practice session the week before the Sizzler, so we should be able to get the hang of it and be pretty quick. We run with guys like Keith Rocco, Ryan Preece, and Woody Pitkat every week at Thompson, so there's no reason why we shouldn't be able to run with them at Stafford. I might be setting the bar too high for myself, but we expect to be a top-10 or a top-5 car right off the bat."

Cates will have a brand new spec engine from T/A Engines for his #26 Lindon Tree Service Chevrolet for his rookie season, and he has Steve McCarthy as his crew chief, so he has his sights set on running with the top dogs during his rookie season.

"Our Thompson motor was getting worn out and it was going to cost a lot to refresh and the Stafford spec engine was pretty affordable, so we decided to go with that," said Cates. "Steve McCarthy is my crew chief, he's been my crew chief for the past 6 or 7 years and he has a really good knowledge of the Stafford track, so we feel pretty confident that we won't have any problems getting the car up and running. I don't like to be cocky, but I feel like we'll have a fast car and be able to compete for wins and have a good season. Our goal is to finish in the top-10 or top-5 every week, and if we can do that, we should be able to win Rookie of the Year. I'd like to thank Lindon Tree Service, he's been my biggest supporter the last 4 or 5 years, and my dad's business, Made and Formed Foundation, he's been supporting me racing my whole life, I definitely wouldn't be racing without his help. And I have to thank my dedicated crew, Steve, Bob, Tony, my Dad, Keith, and Darrell."

With seemingly all the parts and pieces in place, Cates will almost certainly be among the contenders for Rookie of the Year honors and quite possibly be in the mix for feature wins before the season has concluded.

Cates will begin his rookie season with the 41st Annual CARQUEST Tech-Net Spring Sizzler, scheduled for April 27-29, 2012. Tickets for the CARQUEST Tech-Net Spring Sizzler are available and on sale now through the SMS Box Office. Tickets are priced at $38.50 for adult general admission tickets, $5.00 for children ages 6-14, and children ages 5 and under are admitted free of charge when accompanied by an adult. Reserved seating will be priced at $42.00 for all ages. As always, Stafford Motor Speedway offers free parking with overnight parking available.

For more information on the 41st Annual CARQUEST Tech-Net Spring Sizzler, or to order tickets, contact the Stafford Motor Speedway track office at 860-684-2783 or visit us on the web at www.staffordspeedway.com.

###