Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Szegedy Set for The Icebreaker

Digg this story Post to delicious


by Mark Mockovak

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- When the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour concluded its season in 2006, Todd Szegedy was sitting in Victory Lane at Stafford (Conn.) Motor Speedway. With the Tour opener slated for April 15 at Thompson (Conn.) International Speedway, Szegedy is hoping to carry the momentum into 2007.

That was a great way to finish out the year, Szegedy said. It was my first year driving for Mike Smeriglio and we ended up with two wins during the season..

The Icebreaker is the traditional opening event for NASCARs oldest open-wheeled series. Its the first of five events scheduled to be run at Thompson during the 2007 season. Szegedys other victory in 2006 came in the June race at Thompson and the 5/8-mile track is one in which he enjoys competing at.

One of my goals was to win a race at Thompson, Szegedy said, and I was able to accomplish that last season.

There will be some changes in 2007 to the Wisk/Snuggle Ford race team Szegedy drives for. Phil Moran, crew chief for Szegedy last year, has headed down south and is working for Bill Davis Racing.

Mike Paquette will be the crew chief at the start of the season, Szegedy said. Mike is also going to be working with Ryan Stone, who joined the team in the offseason.

Another individual who is back with Szegedy is Don Barker. Barker owned the cars Szegedy drove to a championship in 2003.

Don is going to have a role of a team manager, Szegedy said. Its great having him work with us this year.

Szegedy has a lot of confidence heading onto the season.

Weve tested good, he said. We are capable of top-five or top-10 finishes every week, which is what you need to win a championship. I am excited about the upcoming season.