Stafford Springs, CT: At the 33rd Annual CARQUEST Tech-Net Spring Sizzler Chuck Hossfeld of Buffalo, NY experienced one of those roller coaster weekends that are inevitably part of auto racing. In NASCAR Featherlite Modified Series action, Hossfeld led the most laps, a total of 107, only to have bad luck befall the team in the late stages of the event. It was a double dose of the same in NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series competition. Two runs inside the top five in the SK Modified division double-header ended with two disappointing finishes.

The weekend started out well. A time trial effort on Saturday at 97.911 MPH earned Hossfeld the 7th fastest qualifying position and a third place starting spot for Sunday's 200-lap Featherlite Modified Series event after the redraw.

At the drop of the green flag for the Sizzler it was obvious that Hossfeld had a strong car. On lap three he moved inside Ted Christopher for second and then pulled off a great slingshot move in turn two to take the lead from Eddie Flemke on lap 11.

Christopher lined up alongside Hossfeld on a restart at lap 26 and after a short battle Hossfeld was able to maintain the lead. During a long stretch of green flag racing Hossfeld's lead over Christopher fluctuated. Often times the lead was several car lengths while at others it was mere feet.

The frontrunners entered lap traffic on lap 56 to set up a duel for the lead once again. First with two-wide traffic ahead, T.C. reeled in Hossfeld putting them nose to tail on the speedway. Hossfeld was forced to check up when a lapped car got crossed-up blocking his path, giving Christopher yet another shot at the lead. The #13 got up alongside the v4; however, Hossfeld benefited from the position of another lapped car and successfully fended off the challenge.

At lap 75, Hossfeld enjoyed his biggest lead of the day only to have it negated by a caution on lap 79. Pit strategy entered the mix as a persistent drizzle had been failing during much of the race. Crew chief Greg Schroder and the team were left with a big decision. With track position and the halfway marker of the event looming, the team opted to stay on the racetrack while all other lead lap cars headed for pit road.

After a set of quick cautions on lap 86, Hossfeld had to adopt a defensive driving style when cars with fresher tires began to bear down on the Mystic Missile. Hossfeld first held off Doug Coby, he then had his hands full with defending Series champion Todd Szegedy. Flemke was the next to take his shot at Hossfeld's lead followed by Marquis. At each turn, with the weather holding off, Hossfeld was able to maintain his spot at the head of the field.

Finally at lap 117, with the aid of a caution, Hossfeld brought his racecar down pit road for fresh tires. He restarted from the 11th position, 13th in line on lap 119. As he began storming back through the field it appeared that the pit strategy would pay off after all. With slightly fresher tires than the rest of the field, Hossfeld quickly began working his way back to the front.

An incident on lap 125 was the turning point on Hossfeld's great day. Tony Ferrante bounced off the wall on the front stretch and just clipped Hossfeld's right front as he slid down the track. Hossfeld's luck got progressively worse as the laps clicked off the board.

Hossfeld got back up as high as the eighth position by lap 131 before falling victim to Christopher's charge on lap 132. With few cars on the lead lap the team took the opportunity to check out the car on pit road during a caution on lap 143. Again, Hossfeld would restart from 11th.

It became evident very quickly after the restart that Hossfeld had problems with his racecar. He began slipping back through the field. On lap 152, Hossfeld was forced to pit under green with a flat right front tire. The crew did a great job getting Hossfeld out of the pits; however, without the aid of a caution they lost a lap to the leaders.

After leading much of the day, Hossfeld was relegated to a twelfth place finish at the checkers.

"We had such a great car today," said a deflated Hossfeld. "It is so disappointing when things like this happen."

The racing action started for Hossfeld on Sizzler weekend long before the green flag flew on the Featherlite Modified Series race on Sunday. Hossfeld made his SK Modified debut in the Wisk-Clorox #47 owned by Mike Smeriglio, Joe Santoro and Rob Chowanksy. It was a debut that was marred by misfortune. The double-header weekend resulted in two DNFs with a 22nd place finish on Saturday and a 24th place finish on Sunday.

"As discouraging as the SK finishes are this weekend," said Hossfeld, "How we ran during the weekend shows what great potential we all have as a team. You will definitely see more from this team this season."

On Saturday evening Hossfeld was running in the second position when contact sent him hard into the outside retaining wall, ending his bid at what could have been a win in his debut.

"The guys worked real hard to get the car back together," continued Hossfeld. "They did a great job, the car was good on Sunday afternoon."

In the second feature on Sunday, Hossfeld had worked the Wisk-Clorox #47 up to the fourth spot from his starting spot near the rear of the field only to have his ride go up in smoke in turn three near the halfway point of the event ending yet another promising run during the weekend.

"I give these guys that do double duty a lot of credit," said a worn out Hossfeld.

Hossfeld walked away from the 33rd CARQUEST Tech-Net Spring Sizzler disappointed but with optimism of what lies ahead for the season.

"I have two great teams behind me and a bunch of good equipment," continued Hossfeld. "It is a long season and without a doubt all those factors will bring great things for me and my teams in both the Modified Tour and the weekly competition."

Hossfeld and the #47 team will be ready when Stafford Motor Speedway kicks off regular weekly action this Friday night. Hossfeld will be back in action aboard Bob Garbarino's Mystic Missile in NASCAR Featherlite Modified Series competition on May 15, 2004 when the Tour heads to the Waterford Speedbowl for the Waterford 150.

Watch for updates on Friday night action at Stafford Motor Speedway on www.chuckhossfeld.com.