Daytona Beach, FL — NASCAR has announced today the television schedule for its developmental series for 2010.
The expanded calendar includes 21 events on SPEED for the NASCAR K&N Pro Series and seven races for the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour and NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour. This comprehensive package includes airing of every race on the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East and West schedules. Three of the Whelen Modified Tours will air as same-day televised events.
SPEED, anchored by its popular and wide-ranging coverage of NASCAR, is the nation’s first and only cable television network dedicated to automotive and motorcycle racing, performance and lifestyle. The NASCAR Developmental Series programming will air Thursdays at 6 p.m. ET.
“Our NASCAR Developmental Series all have a strong and passionate fan base, and we saw the results in the viewership of last year’s events and in January for our postseason showcase, the NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown,” said George Silbermann, NASCAR managing director of racing operations. “Our fans spoke, and we listened. We are thrilled to be able to work with our television partners to provide extensive coverage of the talented drivers and tracks that help form the foundation of this sport.”
Continue reading ‘NASCAR Announces Developmental Series 2010 TV Schedule’
Holds off Brown to grab Atlanta 150 victory
Hampton, GA — Corey LaJoie drove like a veteran in his first career NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour start. Using lapped traffic to get by Tim Brown, the 18-year-old third-generation driver then held off a furious challenge from Brown over the closing laps to capture the Atlanta 150 Friday. LaJoie edged Brown at the line by .061 seconds.
The race was the first for the Tour held on the track’s flat, quarter-mile front stretch oval. The setup is similar to Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, N.C., where Brown is an eight-time champion in the track’s NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Modified division.
But under the lights at Atlanta, it was LaJoie who came out on top.
Continue reading ‘Winning Debut For LaJoie’
Modified Tours To Award Bonus Points
Daytona Beach, FL — NASCAR has announced that its Modified touring divisions will now award bonus points for its races, starting this weekend with the NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour race at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
In order to reward drivers for running up front and to provide a further incentive to race for the lead, NASCAR has instituted lap-leader bonus points for the first time to the Whelen Modified and Whelen Southern Modified Tours.
“This will bring the two Modified divisions in line with NASCAR’s three national series, and all other touring series, which already award lap-leader bonus points,” NASCAR Director of Touring Series Richard Buck said. “With one scoring system across the board, this is a positive move for the competitors and fans.”
Continue reading ‘NASCAR Amends Points System For Whelen Modified Tours’
Daytona Beach, FL – The sixth season of the NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour will commence with the Atlanta 150 at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Friday, March 5.
Atlanta Motor Speedway Data
Race: # 1 of 10 (3-5-10)
Track Layout: .250-mile oval
Banking: flat paved oval
Race Length: 150 laps/37.50 miles
• Opened on July 31, 1960 as the seventh superspeedway, a paved oval of one mile or more, to host a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race.
• The track is celebrating its 50th season celebration in 2010.
• Has one of the oldest NASCAR affiliations in the nation.
• NASCAR legend Glenn “Fireball” Roberts won the inaugural race in 1960.
• This is the first of three races that the NWSMT will have at Speedway Motorsports, Inc. facilities in 2010.
Continue reading ‘Statistical Advance: Analyzing The Atlanta 150 At Atlanta Motor Speedway’
The NASCAR short-track community is connected to the gold medal winning four-man United States Olympic bobsled team.
The team of driver Steve Holcomb, Steve Mesler, Justin Olsen and Curtis Tomasevicz won the four-man bobsled Olympic gold medal during the Winter Olympics in Vancouver, British Columbia Sunday, Feb. 28. It was the first USA four-man bobsled Olympic gold medal in 62 years. In addition, Erin Pac and Elana Meyers had a bronze medal performance in the women’s two-man bobsled competition.
Geoff Bodine, the 1986 Daytona 500 winner, began his quest to develop an American made and built bobsled for the USA Olympic bobsled team in 1992. Joined by Bob Cuneo, owner of Chassis Dynamics, the effort became known as the Bo-Dyn Bobsled Project.
Continue reading ‘Whelen, Bodine Connect NASCAR Short Trackers To Olympic Gold’
When The NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour begins its sixth season of competition Friday night, it will bring its exciting brand of short-track racing to the big stage: the quarter-mile oval at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
It will be the first time the tour races at one of NASCAR’s oldest tracks on the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series calendar — Atlanta is celebrating its 50th anniversary this season — and the inaugural visit will be part of the Georgia Power Pole Qualifying Night.
The 600-horsepower, open-wheel machines will navigate 150 laps around the tight loop located on the frontstretch. The distance is similar to that of Bowman Gray Stadium, a staple on the Whelen Southern Modified schedule.
Which means plenty of close-quarter racing and nerf-bar banging action.
Continue reading ‘News & Notes: Southern Modified Tour To Open 2010 At Atlanta’
Chance meeting yields new partnership
Daytona Beach, FL — The new year has already brought in something good for Zack Brewer. Brewer has announced he will be driving full time in the NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour this season for veteran car owner Howard Harvey.
Harvey is no stranger to NASCAR Whelen Modified racing, having owned a car for over 30 years and has competed most recently in both the NASCAR Whelen Modified and Southern Modified Tours with Jamie Tomaino Sr.
Brewer, who competed in five races in 2009 on the NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour, said he was planning on running his family-owned team with his father, Doug, until he ran into Harvey at a restaurant in North Carolina one day during lunch.
Continue reading ‘Brewer announces new ride’
Berkley, MA — For George Brunnhoelzl III of Mooresville, NC, the 2010 racing season will see a lifelong dream of competing on the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour become a reality. Coming off of his first career NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour Championship in 2009, Brunnhoelzl will team up with car owner Bob Katon Jr. and get behind the wheel of the Berkley Auto Racing # 46 entry.
“To have an opportunity to run up north, after having grown up watching my dad (George Jr.) compete for many years on the tour and race at many of the same tracks, is a dream come true. I am very thankful to Bobby and the team for giving me this chance and I look forward to making the most of it,” stated Brunnhoelzl, who originally hails from West Babylon, NY. During the 2009 campaign, Brunnhoelzl scored 5 wins and 13 top-5 finishes in 14 events en route to winning the title. The past few months have been exciting for the 27 year old, along with attending the NASCAR Champions Week activities in Charlotte, NC in November where he was crowned tour champion and now securing the ride in the # 46. The highlight of Brunnhoelzl’s off-season came in November when he married his wife Heather. George is the Vice-President of the family business, Brunnhoelzl Racing Inc., located in Mooresville, NC.
Continue reading ‘2009 NASCAR WSMT Champion Brunnhoelzl III Sets His Sights On 2010 NASCAR WMT Title’
Champ first to represent Mods in All-Star event
When George Brunnhoelzl III won his first NASCAR championship, one of the perks that went with being the 2009 NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour champion was a secure spot in the postseason NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown.
Brunnhoeolzl will become the first driver to represent the series in the “Daytona 500 of short-track racing” when he takes the track at the Toyota Speedway at Irwindale (Calif.) on Jan. 29-30.
“We had a great year in 2009 and I am looking forward to going out to Toyota Speedway at Irwindale and representing all of the Modified drivers in the Showdown,” Brunnhoelzl said. “I have been fortunate enough to have some experience in a stock car and look forward to racing against some of the best drivers in NASCAR.”
Continue reading ‘Brunnhoelzl III Enters Showdown’
Daytona Beach, FL — The Fifth Annual Lucas Oil Geoff Bodine Bobsled Challenge presented by Whelen Engineering is set for this weekend, Jan. 8-10, at the Olympic Sports Complex in Lake Placid, N.Y.
Three-time NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Champion Philip Morris and 2009 NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour Champion George Brunnhoelzl III are slated to compete in the Bodine Bobsled Challenge, which traditionally features a mix of NASCAR and NHRA participants.
This weekend will mark the first time that Brunnhoelzl has ever slid into the seat of a bobsled, something he’s anticipated since he clinched his first Whelen Southern Modified Tour title last fall.
Continue reading ‘NASCAR Drivers Set To Participate In Geoff Bodine Bobsled Challenge’
Brunnhoelzl starts slow but finishes fast
The 2009 season in the NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour was a history making event as George Brunnhoelzl III became the fourth driver to win a championship in the regional touring series for modifieds in the southeast.
Brunnhoelzl and Andy Seuss paced the field for most of the season as the young guns fought it out over 14 events before Brunnhoelzl used a little good luck and a lot of skill to secure his first NASCAR title. The third-generation driver — originally from West Babylon, N.Y. who now calls Mooresville, N.C., home — celebrated in style during the Champions Gala in Concord last month.
Here is a race-by-race review of the season and how Brunnhoelzl and the 50-plus other drivers who competed on the Tour in 2009 did over the eight-month season.
Continue reading ‘2009 In Review: Southern Mods’
Inaugural Event Celebrates Accomplishments Of 2009
Concord, NC — Five champions in NASCAR’s developmental series were honored during the inaugural Night of Champions Touring Awards Gala in the Concord (N.C.) Convention Center on Saturday night.
The festivities featured the champions and top drivers from all of NASCAR’s North American regional touring series, who gathered for the special year-end celebration at the hub of stock-car racing.
The 2009 champions included Ryan Truex (NASCAR Camping World Series East), Jason Bowles (NASCAR Camping World Series West), Donny Lia (NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour), George Brunnhoelzl III (NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour), and Andrew Ranger (NASCAR Canadian Tire Series presented by Mobil 1).
Continue reading ‘NASCAR Champions Honored In Night Of Champions Touring Awards Gala’
Daytona Beach, FL — NASCAR has announced the 2010 NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour schedule, which is highlighted by four new tracks and traditional stops at historic venues.
The 2010 season – the sixth for the Whelen Southern Modified Tour – will open and close on NASCAR Sprint Cup Series weekends as the quarter-mile tracks at Atlanta Motor Speedway and Charlotte Motor Speedway will play host to a NASCAR Touring series for the first time. Atlanta’s “Thunder Ring” will be the site of the Southern Tour season-opener on March 5 and the 2010 champion will be crowned at Charlotte on Oct. 14 at the quarter-mile track made popular by the “Summer Shootout Series.”
Continue reading ‘2010 NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour Schedule Announced’
Truex rules karting event
Concord, NC — Champions Week is in full swing. All five of NASCAR’s touring series title winners, along with the champion of the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series, have made their way to the center of the NASCAR world for a full week of activities leading up to the NASCAR Touring Series Awards Gala and NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Awards Banquet.
NASCAR champions Jason Bowles (Camping World Series West), George Brunnhoelzl III (Whelen Southern Modified Tour), Donny Lia (Whelen Modified Tour), Philip Morris (Whelen All-American Series), Andrew Ranger (Canadian Tire Series presented by Mobil 1) and Ryan Truex (Camping World Series East) are on hand to celebrate their achievements over the course of the 2009 season.
After taking part in several media interviews in the morning hours including an appearance by Morris and Truex on the FOX News Rising program from the studios of WCCB in Charlotte, the six champions geared up for the highlight of the day – the Second Annual NASCAR Toyota Champions/Media Go-Kart Showdown presented by Sirius XM Radio.
Held at Victory Lane Karting, an indoor karting facility located in Charlotte housing a challenging .333-mile track, Truex made the Camping World Series East proud by taking the checkered flag.
Continue reading ‘Champions Week In Full Swing’
Karting Challenge Highlights Tuesday’s Schedule
Concord, NC — Champions Week is underway in the center of NASCAR racing as six 2009 series champions converge on the Charlotte area for a week of activities leading up to the NASCAR Touring Series Awards Gala and NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Awards Banquet.
NASCAR champions Jason Bowles (Camping World Series West), George Brunnhoelzl III (Whelen Southern Modified Tour), Donny Lia (Whelen Modified Tour, Philip Morris (Whelen All-American Series), Andrew Ranger (Canadian Tire Series presented by Mobil 1) and Ryan Truex (Camping World Series East) will be honored at the end of the week during awards ceremonies at the Concord Convention Center.
Tuesday will see the six champions participate in an extensive media tour in the Charlotte area. The day will start with local television and radio appearances followed by the Second Annual NASCAR Toyota Champions/Media Go-Kart Showdown presented by Sirius XM Radio at Victory Lane Karting. The Sirius NASCAR Radio show “Tradin’ Paint” will broadcast live from the event.
Continue reading ‘NASCAR Touring And Weekly Series Champions Week Underway’
Brunnhoelzl wins Southern Modified championship under father’s guidance
Winning any championship is special for a driver, but to win one with your father as your crew chief and car owner is very special.
For George Brunnhoelzl III, that is what makes his first NASCAR championship all the more memorable. The 27-year-old Mooresville, N.C., captured the 2009 NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour championship with a career season – a title run that can be traced to his family’s Long Island roots.
“I can’t tell you what this means to me to win the championship with my father with me,” Brunnhoelzl said. “I wouldn’t be at this point if it wasn’t for him and I am so thankful for everything he has done for me in my racing career.”
Brunnhoelzl has been competing in the Whelen Southern Modified Tour since 2006 and his 25 series starts prior to this season, the third-generation driver had built an impressive resume with 14 top-10 finishes and one win at Lanier National Speedway on August 30, 2008. But nothing could prepare his for his championship season.
Continue reading ‘CHAMPIONS PROFILE: Family Ties Make For Memorable First Title’
Daytona Beach, FL — NASCAR’s historic two night celebration of its champions from across North America will feature another first – both the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series and NASCAR Touring Series Awards Gala will be streamed live online at www.nascarhometracks.com.
The awards nights will be held Nov. 13-14 at the Concord (N.C.) Convention Center in an historic two-night celebration of the top drivers in NASCAR’s developmental series.
For the first time, the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Awards Banquet will be held in the Charlotte, N.C., area. The event, which honors champions from across North America in the series that is NASCAR’s grassroots foundation, will be Friday, Nov. 13 at 7 p.m. ET.
Continue reading ‘NASCARHomeTracks.com to Provide Live Streaming of NASCAR Whelen All-American Series and NASCAR Touring Series Awards Gala’
The year’s NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour champion can finally celebrate in style. After moving South with his family many years ago, West Babylon, N.Y.-native George Brunnhoelzl III capped an unbelievable season in style, winning his first NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour championship.
Brunnhoelzl accomplished something his father or grandfather had not been able to do throughout their modified driving careers — win a NASCAR touring title.
The season featured 14 races held in five southeastern states with North Carolina hosting nine of the races throughout the year.
Continue reading ‘News & Notes: King George Celebrates First NASCAR Title’
Wins finale & claims Whelen Southern Mod title
Ashboro, NC — George Brunnhoelzl III capped off his first NASCAR championship a victory in the Fall Classic 150 at Caraway Speedway, the final race of the NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour season.
Brunnhoelzl needed to only start the finale to clinch the championship. He assured himself of that by claiming his sixth Coors Light Pole Award of the season. He went on to claim his fifth win of the season and third at Caraway.
He started fifth after the post-qualifying redraw of the top six, and took over the lead on Lap 73 when Brian Loftin came down pit road under caution. He briefly lost the lead to John Smith at the line on a Lap 142 restart, before retaking the point.
Continue reading ‘Happy Ending: Brunnhoelzl Earns His First NASCAR Championship’
NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour veteran Burt Myers (No. 1 Capital Bank Ford) is going to have a busy Saturday this weekend.
Myers will start his day at Martinsville Speedway in Martinsville, Va., early in the day and finish it at Caraway Speedway. He will be at Martinsville making his first start in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series in the Martinsville 250. Myers was able to put together a last-minute deal and was fitted for his seat last Thursday, so now he knows one of his racing dreams will come true.
“I have spoken with teams before but in the past, something has come up that took me out of the ride,” said Myers. “I am just excited and grateful to get this opportunity. We are going to go up to Martinsville and give it 100 percent.”
Continue reading ‘News & Notes: Myers To Attempt Double Duty This Weekend’
