(Stafford Springs, CT)---Former Wild Thing Kart driver Tyler Hines is the newest addition to the ever growing SK Light rookie class at Stafford Speedway for the 2012 NASCAR Whelen All-American Series season. Hines will take the reins of the #19 Gunsmoke Stables Ford that was driven the past several seasons by Steve Greer for his rookie season in the SK Light division. It was thanks to an association with the Greer family and a phone call from Steve Greer that will see Hines living his dream during the 2012 season.

"Steve's niece Kayla started racing Junior Outlaws in the Wild Thing Kart Series, and they bought one of our old karts," said Hines. "We became friends with the Greers and we helped them work on Kayla's kart. After the season was over, my dad got a call from Stash Butova, (both Frank Ruocco's and Tyler's crew chief) stating that Steve wanted to offer me a chance to drive in the SK Lights. When the SK Light division first started, I dreamed of racing at Stafford on a Friday night and now I have the opportunity to do that. I can't wait for the season to get started, this is a great opportunity for me to be able to move into bigger and faster cars. It was a thrill for me to have Steve offer me a seat in his car."

Unlike most rookie drivers, Hines will be able to head into his rookie season with some experience behind the wheel of a modified, which came through a connection to Frank and Jesse Ruocco. Hines got his start in racing by taking one of Ruocco's Wild Thing Karts out onto the track, and the connection with the Ruocco family led to Hines taking a few laps in Jesse Ruocco's SK Light.

"I'm real good friends with Jesse Ruocco and it was Frank Ruocco who gave me my first opportunity to drive in one of his karts," said Hines. "I was able to take Jesse's SK Light out for one round of practice to get an opportunity to see what the cars are like, and driving that car was unbelievable. It felt like I was floating on a cloud, the car was so smooth. I had never felt anything like it before."

While Hines has a small amount of experience under his belt, he knows he faces an uphill challenge as Stafford will be the biggest track and the SK Light will be the biggest car he's driven in his racing career to date. Hines will be making good use of the open practice session the week before the season opening CARQUEST Tech-Net Spring Sizzler as well as the extended practice session on the Friday of Sizzler weekend.

"I feel like my first challenge will be to get acclimated to the bigger track, the bigger car, and the other drivers around me," said Hines. "The practice day is going to be a huge day for me. It's definitely going to help me with going from a kart that weighs 400 pounds to an SK Light that weighs 2,600 pounds. I already feel more prepared than maybe some other rookie drivers with Steve, Frank, Stash and Steve Butova's help, and the more practice laps I can get, the better I'll feel in the car. Obviously I'd like to be able to win Rookie of the Year, but that's a long-term goal. My short-term goal is to be able to improve every week and I'd like to be able to keep the car in one piece. I really can't thank Steve and his family enough for giving me the opportunity to drive his car this season."

Hines will begin his SK Light 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.

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