What has been a summer of competitive races, tough breaks, and close-but-no-cigar finishes is coming to a close and, with one week to go, Steve Kopcik and Mike Gervais recorded their best memories of the campaign at Stafford Motor Speedway.

Kopcik, of Newtown, won his first SK Light division race, and Gervais, who is sponsored by Newtown’s Gervais Brothers Roofing, captured first place in the SK division — both in their Friday Night Feature Shoot-Out races on September 19.

Nick Kopcik, Steve’s dad, and owner of NJK Automotive, which sponsors both racers, served as crew chief for both his son and Gervais, making the weekend an ultra-rewarding one for everybody involved.

“Any win is special, but when it’s your son it’s an awesome feeling,” Nick Kopcik added.

Gervais had a motor issue three weeks ago, then the car’s rear end failed his next time out on the track, leaving him unable to finish two consecutive races.

“After all that, to come back and win was awesome,” Nick Kopcik said.

“Finally, this week, everything came together,” Gervais added. He and his crew chief both described earning the win as getting a monkey off their backs. “Not giving up and keeping at it is a rewarding feeling,” Gervais said.

“It was exactly what the team needed,” Steve Kopcik said of the double-win performance. “It gets everybody really excited for next year, and the last race of the season.”

The drivers will participate in the Fall Finals, the final races of the year, this Saturday and Sunday, September 27 and 28.

The Whelen Modified Tour cars will qualify for the NAPA Fall Final 150 on Saturday before hitting the track for 150 laps on Sunday. The popular NAPA Pit Party, a meet and greet with drivers and teams, will take place from 11 am to noon on Sunday.

Saturday will also see qualifying heats for Stafford’s NASCAR Whelen All-American Series divisions plus the Legend Cars as well as feature events for the SK Lights, Limited Late Models, DARE Stocks, Legend Cars, and Rusty Wallace Racing Experience. The Whelen Modified Tour will be joined on Sunday by the SK Modified and Late Model feature events.

Tickets for the 42nd Annual NAPA Auto Parts Fall Final Weekend are priced at $38.50 for adult general admission tickets, $5 for children ages 6–14, and children ages 5 and under are admitted free of charge when accompanied by an adult. Reserved seating is priced at $42 for all ages. All NAPA Fall Final tickets are good for admission on both Saturday and Sunday and ticket prices include tax. Visit local participating NAPA Auto Parts Store for discount ticket offers.

For more information on the 42nd Annual NAPA Auto Parts Fall Final Weekend, or to order tickets, contact the Stafford Motor Speedway track office at 860-684-2783 or visit staffordspeedway.com.

A pair of tickets for the weekend’s races will be available on Friday, September 27, to the first person to request them in person at NJK Automotive, 75 South Main Street.

Sponsors for Kopcik and Gervais include: Chassis Dynamics, TA Racing, Magnus Racing Products, NJK Automotive, David Smith Racing, Newtown Pools, A Sign Depot, Hocon Industrial Gas, Gervais Brothers Roofing, and Modern Concrete Pumping.