Tour Takes Intense Points Battle To Stafford
As the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour heads to Stafford (Conn.) Motor Speedway this week for the CARQUEST Fall Final, a slim 37 points separate the top four drivers in the standings with just two races remaining in the season.
In the 25 years of the Whelen Modified Tour, a tight points race as the season winds down is not a new storyline. Following the Made In America Whelen 300 last week at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway, however, the 2009 points race is bordering on historic competitiveness.
Coming into the Fall Final, defending Whelen Modified Tour Champion Ted Christopher leads 2007 titlist Donny Lia by a single point. But it’s far from a two-horse race – like it was in 2008 between Christopher and Matt Hirschman. Ryan Preece is just 12 points behind Christopher while Todd Szegedy is also within reach, 37 points out. And not to be counted out, Rowan Pennink’s consistent season has him sitting fifth in points, and mathematically still in the title chase at 119 points back of Christopher.
Continue reading ‘NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour News & Notes – Stafford’
Stafford Springs, CT — If it’s the end of a season, that means it’s time for the CARQUEST Fall Final Weekend at Stafford Motor Speedway, which means that Mike Stefanik will be counted among the favorites to take home the winner’s trophy. Stefanik is the two-time defending champion of the race, and of his 20 career victories at Stafford, 8 have come in the Fall Final event.
“I don’t really know how to explain that,” said Stefanik. “I do like to race in the cooler temperatures, it’s more comfortable in the car.”
Continue reading ‘Mike Stefanik Right at Home for CARQUEST Fall Final Weekend at Stafford Motor Speedway’
Stafford Springs, CT — As the 2009 season draws to a close this weekend at Stafford Motor Speedway with the 37th Annual CARQUEST Fall Final Weekend, SK Modified® competitor Richie Pallai, Jr. will be looking to end his season with a repeat performance of the season opening CARQUEST Tech-Net Spring Sizzler. Pallai will attempt to make his Whelen Modified Tour debut while at the same time trying to bookend his SK Modified® season with a victory.
In May, Pallai attempted to qualify a car owned by Mike Smeriglio, III, who owns Todd Szegedy’s car, and he came up .004 seconds short of making the field. Pallai will debut his family owned car for this weekend’s CARQUEST Fall Final, and he feels confident about his chances of putting the car in the field and racing well.
Continue reading ‘Richie Pallai, Jr. Looks for Repeat of Spring Sizzler Success at CARQUEST Fall Final with Whelen Mod Tour Debut and SK Mod® Victory’
Friday might be a day that George Brunnhoelzl III (No. 28 Oval Speed/Fibrwrap/PT Ford) might never forget.
Although he doesn’t want to talk about it until it actually happens, the West Babylon, N.Y., native who now calls Mooresville, N.C., home has a chance to clinch the 2009 title and become the fourth champion in the history of the NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour this Friday night after the running of the Lightning Fast 150 at Ace Speedway.
Brunnhoelzl III enters this Friday’s race with a 140 point lead over Andy Seuss (No. 47 Advance Auto Parts/Q Racing Oil/Stuart Auto Dodge) and if he can build that lead by 41 points during the running of the Lightning Fast 150, there will be one big party after the race.
Continue reading ‘News & Notes: Brunnhoelzl hopes to celebrate in return to Ace’
