Civali Triumphs at Twin State
Claremont, NH — James Civali became the second multiple winner this year on the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour with a victory in the Allstate 100 at Twin State Speedway Sunday night. Civali and Matt Hirschman waged a torrid battle over the final thirty laps before Civali took the lead for good from Hirschman on lap 93 of the 117-lap event.
It was the second victory for the Meriden, Conn. driver this season. He also won the season opener at Thompson (Conn.) International Speedway in April and it was the third win of his career. Civali, who drives the Don King owned Ramar Hall Chevrolet also earned the Featherlite Most Improved Driver award. Civali took the lead on lap 27 from Ronnie Silk and led all but one of the next 90 laps
“The car was perfect tonight,” Civali said. “Matt Hirschman was real good on the restarts I did what I had to do to stay in front of him.”
Matt Hirschman’s second-place finish moved him into second place in the points standings. Hirschman trails Donny Lia by 53 points. Bud Pole Winner Ronnie Silk of Norwalk, Conn. was third. He was the only other driver to lead a lap at Twin State besides Civali and Hirschman.
Lia, of Jericho, N.Y., finished fourth and Ted Christopher, of Plainville, Conn., was fifth.
The next event for the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour is at Riverhead Raceway on August 4.
NASCAR WHELEN MODIFIED TOUR-ALLSTATE 100 Unofficial Results
Sunday
At Twin State Speedway
Claremont, NH
Lap length: 0.333 miles
(Start position in parentheses)
1. (4) James Civali, Meriden, Conn., Chevrolet, 117 laps, 62.644 mph, $4,100.
2. (1) Matt Hirschman, Northampton, Pa., Dodge, 117, $2,600.
3. (2) Ronnie Silk, Norwalk, Conn., Chevrolet, 117, $2,750.
4. (6) Donny Lia, Jericho, N.Y., Dodge, 117, $2,100.
5. (7) Ted Christopher, Plainville, Conn., Chevrolet, 117, $2,000.
6. (11) Jerry Marquis, Broad Brook, Conn., Chevrolet, 117, $1,900.
7. (3) Mike Stefanik, Coventry, R.I., Chevrolet, 117, $2,450.
8. (13) Todd Szegedy, Ridgefield, Conn., Ford, 117, $1,800.
9. (8) Jon McKennedy, Chelmsford, Mass., Chevrolet, 117, $975.
10. (25) Jimmy Blewett, Howell, N.J., Chevrolet, 117, $2,350.
11. (24) Jamie Tomaino, Howell, N.J., Ford, 117, $1,425.
12. (15) Kevin Goodale, Riverhead, NY, Chevrolet, 117, $1,500.
13. (10) Eddie Flemke, Southington, Conn., Chevrolet, 117, $1,200.
14. (5) Ryan Preece, Kensington, CT, Chevrolet, 117, $950.
15. (20) Joseph Hartmann, Calverton, N.Y., Chevrolet, 117, $600.
16. (9) Eric Beers, Northampton, Pa., Chevrolet, 117, $1,275.
17. (23) Rowan Pennink, Huntingdon Valley, Pa., Chevrolet, 117, $925.
18. (19) Richard Savary, Canton, Mass., Chevrolet, 117, $1,200.
19. (22) Wade Cole, Riverton, Conn., Chevrolet, 115, $875.
20. (18) Glen Tyler, Hampton Bays, N.Y., Chevrolet, 113, $425.
21. (26) Jake Marosz, Middletown, Conn., Chevrolet, 113, $400.
22. (14) Zach Sylvester, Lebanon, Conn., Pontiac, 98, $1,050.
23. (21) Bobby Grigas, Marshfield, MA, Chevrolet, 72, accident, $327.
24. (12) Danny Sammons, Trenton, N.J., Chevrolet, 69, power steering, $800.
25. (16) Dick Houlihan, Bridgewater, Mass., Chevrolet, 65, rear end, $800.
26. (17) Billy Pauch, Jr., Frenchtown, N.J., Dodge, 58, nerf bar, $800.
Time of Race: 37 mins, 19 secs
Average Speed: 62.644 mph
Margin of Victory: .47 Seconds
BUD POLE AWARD: Ronnie Silk, 19 Major Motion /Silk Plumbing & Heating Chevrolet
Caution Flags: Laps 37-43; 47-51; 55-59; 68-71; 74-78; 84-88. 6 for 31 laps.
Lap Leaders: Matt Hirschman 1-15, Ronnie Silk 16-26, James Civali 27-91, Matt Hirschman 92, James Civali 93-117.
Total Laps Led: Civali 90, Matt Hirschman 16, Ronnie Silk 11. 4 changes involving 3 drivers.
Unofficial Top 10 Driver Points: 1. Lia 1104, 2. Hirschman 1051, 3. Szegedy 1025, 4. Civali 983, 5. Silk 964, 6. Blewett 951, 7. Christopher 922, 8. Stefanik 891, 9. Flemke 854, 10. Tomaino 843.
Next Race: Riverhead
Sources: Mark Mockovak/NASCAR PR