Against All Odds: Dean Lambros Becomes Stafford Speedway’s 700th Different Feature Winner
(Stafford Springs, CT)—As Stafford Speedway approached the historic milestone of its 700th different feature winner, few would have guessed that 20-year-old SK Light rookie Dean Lambros would be the one to etch his name into the record books. Entering the 2025 season, Lambros had made just three starts in the SK Light division, with a best finish of tenth. His racing background consisted mostly of go-karts, Legend Cars with the Korner family and CJ D’Addario of 860 Motorsports, and a handful of races in formula-style cars—hardly the typical résumé of a driver expected to reach Victory Lane so early in their modified career. But Lambros defied the odds on June 27th. Driving Joey Ferrigno’s #67 Wicked Powersports / Skip Barber Racing School modified, he claimed his first SK Light win, and the 700th feature victory in Stafford history, in only his ninth career start.
“I knew at some point we were going to win a race this season,” said Lambors. “Prior to this season, I had pretty bad luck at Stafford getting wrecked out of races or spun out. I wasn’t used to racing SK Lights being a road course guy and going from road courses to ovals is a pretty big switch. Winning at Stafford has been a goal of mine, especially doing it in one of Joey’s cars.”
“It was a full circle moment for me. I’ve known Joey since I was 13 and have stayed in contact with him and the Korner family over the years. He’s been running a second car and looking to get a team owner win for about 15 years now. When I saw Joey jumping up and down as I was coming down the frontstretch, it meant a lot knowing what it meant to the guys and that it was Midstate night was just the cherry on top. It’s a great way to make a name for the Lambros family at Stafford. We had a nice barbeque to celebrate the weekend with all the guys at home after me winning at Stafford and Will making his NASCAR Truck Series debut.”
A lack of experience wasn’t the only obstacle standing between Lambros and becoming the 700th different Stafford feature winner. Lambros’ schedule for Friday, June 27th was packed with racing responsibilities. Earlier in the day he was spotting for his brother Will, who was making his NASCAR Truck Series debut at Lime Rock Park, which is nearly 2 hours from Stafford. Because of his spotting duties, Lambros actually missed the first SK Light practice session. But after hustling from Lime Rock to Stafford he made it in time to record the 2nd fastest time in the second practice session, finish third in his heat race, and then drive to NAPA Victory Lane.
“I was spotting for my brother at Lime Rock and the practice and qualifying session on Friday was supposed to be done at 1:50. I told Joey that I would be at Stafford for 4 o’clock in time to catch practice,” said Lambros. “There ended up being a car that caught fire which delayed things and I didn’t leave Lime Rock until 2:30. I had to sprint from the far side of the track all the way across the frontstretch and up the hill to get to my truck. I got in my truck and raced to Stafford only to miss the first practice session. My app said the trip from Lime Rock to Stafford would be about 2 hours but I got there quicker. I caught my breath, got in the car and got out for the second practice. The car felt good, we were second fastest in practice and we finished third in our heat race. I remember telling everyone that if there was ever a night that we were going to win a race, it was that night. Winning on Midstate Night and having Steve Park with us, I was really proud of the whole team. Between DJ and Brian, Joey, the other Dean, and Frank, those guys all play a huge part in my success at Stafford and I clearly couldn’t have done this without their help. Also thanks to Skip Barber Racing School, William Dean Platinum, Precimet, Metro Door, Midstate Site Development, and Wicked Powersports for sponsoring the car.”
In winning his first SK Light race at Stafford, Lambros used some coaching points from his brother Will, who raced the #67 car for a handful of races during the 2022 and 2023 seasons.
“The first lap of the race I went from fifth to third and I thought the car is pretty dialed in tonight,” said Lambros. “I remember something my brother told me that when the SK Lights run before the SK Modifieds®, the outside lane works. With that little bit of coaching, I put myself to the outside a few times and was able to make it work. My brother’s coaching definitely helped me win that race.”
Lambros’ victory also played up to his family’s superstition with the number 7.
“With superstitions, 7 is our family’s lucky number,” said Lambros. “We raced on the 27th of June with the number 67 car and I was the 700th Stafford winner, so when we got back to Lime Rock after the race, I saw Will’s truck owner Josh and told him to write a 7 next to the number 2 on his truck. Someone on the team noticed and was asking on the radio about what the deal was with the 7 on the truck and I told him it was just a superstition and go with it. 7’s are big in our family.”
With his victory, Lambros currently occupies 4th place in the 2025 SK Light points standings with top-7 finishes in 5 of his 6 starts this season. Lambros’ hot start has now allowed him to set his sights on racing for the SK Light championship, but those plans might be dented by missing the July 16th King of the Crate 40-lap feature event.
“Back in March I didn’t think I was going to be doing any racing this season because my family didn’t have any funds to work with to go racing,” said Lambros. “I committed to going to Europe with my girlfriend and her parents from July 14th through July 24th so I might need Joey to go to a casino and do a rain dance for me so I don’t miss any races and can stay in the championship hunt. If I do end up missing that one race, we’re going to go for more wins and Rookie of the Year this season. I’m pretty sure the plan is if I miss that Wednesday show that Will is going to jump in the #67 car for that night and he also has plans to run the remaining Tour type modified races at Stafford.”
Lambros will be looking to immediately add to his SK Light win total this Thursday, July 3rd as part of the Great Rate Rentals Kids Night program. Tickets for Great Rate Rentals Kids Night are available now online at StaffordSpeedway.com/tickets and can also be purchased at the admission gates. If you can’t attend in person, don’t miss the action—tune in to the live stream on FloRacing, the official streaming partner of Stafford Speedway.
For more information, visit staffordspeedway.com, follow Stafford Speedway on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or contact the track office at 860-684-2783.
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