RPW Exclusive: Ryan Charland’s Ready For A Strong ’24 At Lebanon Valley; LVS Car Show At Colonie Center’s Almost Here
News Director 
Column By: BOBBY CHALMERS / RPW – STAFFORD SPRINGS, CT – Stafford Springs, CT is known for producing plenty of checkered flags and trips to victory lane. However, it’s for the asphalt speedplant known as the home of the SK Modified.
Some 88 miles west of the Stafford Motor Speedway sits a track where throwing mud and pulling tearoffs is the norm.
That’s a track you probably wouldn’t imagine a kid from Stafford trying to make a name for himself in the sport of auto racing at.
In 2023, Ryan Charland began to do just that and this coming season, he’s put everyone on notice that he’s a driver to keep an eye on in the Big Block Modified as well as Small Block Modified divisions.
Charland, who’s still chasing his first career victory in either division, set out on his rookie Big Block campaign in 2022 but engine issues derailed that plan very early in the season.
His team regrouped, freshened their equipment, and last season, on the next-to-last race of the season, very nearly parked the Wicked Powersports #10c in victory lane, running up front all race and ultimately coming home in fourth spot.
Now, that good run has the driver from Stafford eager to come out strong this season on the high banks.
“We had an extremely exciting end to our 2023 season,” Charland said. “The momentum we have heading into ’24 is at an all-time high right now. Knowing what to expect with a full-season running Big Blocks at the Valley now under our belts, we’re getting our equipment ready to make a serious challenge every time we hit the track.”
What type of stuff did Charland and his team learn that he believes will keep that momentum going into 2024?
“I really began to learn how to keep my wits about me knowing, if I was up towards the front, more than likely, there’s some heat still behind me,” he said. “There’s some of the best in the game that race at Lebanon Valley and to be a top runner there, you really have to be prepared for everything and anything.”
That preparation begins in the shop.
“We know it all starts long before you pull into the race track,” he said. “Making sure the car is set up correctly is major, but I also learned that tire prep is key. Making sure your tires are ready to go from the moment the green flies makes all the difference. However, watching the track is equally as important. Being aware of how the surface changes and making adjustments to the car is just as important and making sure I run the right line. It takes a total effort.”
That preparation also led Charland to improve his driving ability by leaps and bounds. He showed everyone in the pits at Lebanon that it would not be a surprise to see him parked in victory lane in 2024.
“I feel like I learned that hitting my marks every lap was something to focus on,” he said. “Being consistent on track is huge. No driver will be perfect for every lap but it’s important to be as perfect as you can be. Hopefully, I’m getting better at that.”
All of that preparation and hard work showed in 2023 and now the Charland Motorsports team, led by Ryan’s dad, Ray (along with crew members Glen Stahouski and Josh Anderson), is gearing up for a big campaign at Lebanon Valley with both their Big Block and 358-Modified entries.
“Our powerplants are at Bob Bruneau Engine Research right now getting freshened,” he said. “We’re working on upgrades to the chassis and suspensions of our cars and are just doing everything we can to make sure we have a strong start to 2024 and hopefully keep it going all season.”
With some good runs late in ’23, does Charland have a goal checklist he’s looking to obtain this year?
“We ultimately want to be consistent,” he said. “We want to be up front as much as possible and to have our cars be on-point. We don’t want to run top five this week and then be 20th the next. Accuracy will be a key for us. However, my eyes are focused on getting my first win up there. I know my team has worked hard to get us in this position. I just want to deliver on their hard work.”
Let’s All Go To The Mall…and Look At Race Cars…
For years, there’s been off-season car shows for several tracks. It’s a great time to showcase some amazing equipment and get people buzzing about the new year.
The Lebanon Valley Speedway’s been associated with the old Latham Circle Mall car show and for a year or two, had one at Crossgates Mall in Albany.
Most recently, Mike King has promoted his King Fish Car Show just a few weeks before opening day for the Valley, but that’s outdoors at either Stewart’s in Nassau, NY or Fun Plex Fun Park in East Greenbush, NY, but the idea of a Valley mall show hasn’t really been an option.
Enter Lance & Jill Sharpe. The husband-and-wife duo has been involved in racing for several years now, owning cars and are now part of the John Virgilio / JR Heffner racing team. However, they wanted to take their love of the sport to newer heights and with that, the Lebanon Valley Car Show at Colonie Center was born.
“Our goal for the show is to shine a positive spot light on the great teams that race at Lebanon Valley,” Lance Sharpe said. “With this being the first show, of what we hope is many to come, we want to find a new generation of fans to go along with the amazing fans we already have.”
There are many in the area that probably have no idea about Lebanon Valley Speedway. The Sharpe’s are looking to change that.
“We want to introduce racing to people that have never seen a dirt car race before,” he said. “Then, maybe we can make some new fans for the sport we love.”
There will be teams from several different divisions that are scheduled to attend and the Sharpe’s hope that exposure may lead to bigger things for them.
“This isn’t just about getting the track noticed,” he said. “We want to get the teams and their sponsors in front of a different audience. That way they can highlight those that put their hard-earned money into this sport, but also may attract additional partners. If a team is able to pick up some much-needed sponsorship, through positive exposure, it would be great.”
The show, taking place March 8-10 at Colonie Center in the heart of New York’s capital city, will also have a charitable component to it.
“We’re also going to have a Brown Bag charity auction,” he said. “All proceeds from that will go to the “To Life Breast Cancer Support Group.” We want to do our part to give back to women that are in for the fight for their lives. We are all about positivity and trying to make a difference.”
Cars scheduled to appear include:
- Tim Hartman #22 / Sportsman
- Olden Dwyer #88 / Modified
- John Virgilio #74 / Modified
- Keith Flach #43 / Modified
- Joey Coppola #94 / 358-Modified
- Brett Haas #17 / 358-Modified
- Jason Herrington #1 / 358-Modified
- Owen Lewis #19 / Sportsman
- Dave Stickles #55 / Pro-stock
- Kevin Ames #43 / Sportsman
- Kevin Ward #98 / Sportsman
- Kyle Armstrong #11A / Modified
- Wayne Jelley #45 / Modified
- Lorne Browe #14 / 358-Modified
- Ryan Larkin #39 / 358-Modified
- Ryan Heath #6H / 358-Modified
- Mike Arnold #76 / Sportsman
- Brian Keough #311 / Pro Stock
- Chris Stalker #177 / Pro Stock
- John Flach #77J / Vintage Modified
- Brian Berger #60 / Modified
- Rob Maxon #143 / Sportsman
- Whitey Slavin #5 / Sportsman
- AJ Albreada #22 / Slingshot
- Ryan Ray / Slingshot
There will also be one big surprise car in the show.
“The other night, I spoke on the phone with Kenny Tremont,” Sharpe said. “His son, Montgomery, will have Kenny’s PMC from last year at the show. I really wanted an iconic Lebanon Valley Tremont #115 in the show and now we will. Kenny himself will also be making a special appearance.”
Also at the Mall will be large displays from both the Lebanon Valley Kart Track (Tammy & Chris Crews) as well as the Vintage racing scene (Denise Markle).
