Preece Earns First Career Pole at Stafford
Tech-Net Spring Sizzler Set to go Green Sunday at 2:30 p.m.
Stafford Springs, CT — A year ago, Ryan Preece was packing up the trailer and heading home after Tech-Net Spring Sizzler qualifying. The 17-year-old was in much better spirits Saturday afternoon after earning the Coors Light Pole Award for Sunday’s NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour race at Stafford Motor Speedway.
Preece’s time of 18.057 seconds (99.684 mph) around the half-mile in the No. 3 Mizzy Construction/FJ Hubnay Chevrolet was fast enough to edge Eric Beers (No. 46 Reynold’s Wrecking/J&R Pre-Cast Chevrolet) and earn his first career pole. Beers was second in 18.084 (99.536).
“It feels really good,” said Preece, who will start seventh following the post-qualifying redraw of the top 10 positions. “It’s amazing – it just shows how much I’ve progressed. Without my dad and my team, I wouldn’t be where I am or even in the sport. Nothing comes easy, but that’s why we race.”
Following the redraw, Rob Summers and Frank Ruocco will start on the front row for Sunday’s race, with Jimmy Blewett and Eric Beers in the second row.
As a rookie, Preece did not qualify for the first two races of the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour season in 2007, including the Spring Sizzler. In the offseason, Preece went from his family-owned car to the historic No. 3 of Boehler Racing Enterprises.
Chuck Hossfeld (18.135/99.256), Ted Christopher (18.140/99.228) and Blewett (18.140/99.228) rounded out the top five in qualifying. Matt Hirschman, who set the track record of 18.009 last year in Spring Sizzler qualifying, posted the seventh-fastest lap Saturday.
NASCAR WHELEN MODIFIED TOUR – Tech-Net Spring Sizzler Lineup
After qualifying Saturday, race Sunday
At Stafford Motor Speedway
Stafford Springs, Conn.
Lap length: .5 mile
(Car number in parentheses)
1. (1) Rob Summers, Vernon Conn., Chevrolet, 98.738
2. (00)Frank Ruocco, Cheshire Conn., Chevrolet, 98.901
3. (19) Jimmy Blewett, Howell N.J., Chevrolet, 99.228
4. (46 ) Eric Beers, Northampton Pa., Chevrolet, 99.536
5. (36) Ted Christopher, Plainville Conn., Chevrolet, 99.228
6. (59) Matt Hirschman, Northampton Pa., Chevrolet, 99.043
7. (3) Ryan Preece, Kensington Conn., Chevrolet, 99.684
8. (4) Chuck Hossfeld, Ransomville N.Y., Dodge, 99.256
9. (58) Kevin Goodale, Riverhead N.Y., Chevrolet, 99.217
10. (16) Mike Stefanik, Coventry R.I., Pontiac, 98.879
11. (99) Jamie Tomaino, Howell N.J., Chevrolet, 98.684
12. (28) James Civali, Meriden Conn., Chevrolet, 98.517
13. (79) Ronnie Silk, Norwalk Conn., Pontiac, 98.506
14. (64) Eric Berndt, Cromwell Conn., Chevrolet, 98.441
15. (77) Rick Fuller, Auburn Mass., 98.425
16. (45) Erick Rudolph, Ransomville N.Y., Chevrolet, 98.312
17. (11) Anthony Sesely, Matawan N.J., Dodge, 98.280
18. (93) Rowan Pennink, Huntingdon Valley Pa., Chevrolet, 98.259
19. (21) Richard Savary, Canton Mass., Chevrolet, 98.168
20. (05) Joe Hartmann, Calverton N.Y., Chevrolet, 97.991
21. (33) Wade Cole, Riverton Conn., Chevrolet, 97.938
22. (8) Glenn Tyler, Hampton Bays N.Y., Chevrolet, 97.890
23. (2) Todd Szegedy, Ridgefield Conn., Ford, 97.842
24. (75) Carl Pasteryak, Lisbon Conn., Chevrolet, 97.736
25. (06) Billy Pauch, Jr., Frenchtown N.J., Dodge, 97.715
26. (90) Renee Dupuis, Glastonbury Conn., Chevrolet, 97.709
27. (09) Bobby Grigas, III, Marshfield Mass., Chevrolet, 97.329
28. (0) Danny Sammons, Hamilton N.J., Chevrolet, 97.082
29. (12) Ken Heagy, Calverton N.Y., Chevrolet, 95.369+
30. (10) Ed Flemke, Jr., Southington Conn., Chevrolet, 96.691+
31. (14) Reggie Ruggiero, Rocky Hill Conn., Ford, 95.673+
32. (9) Jake Marosz, Middletown Conn., Chevrolet, 92.956+
33. (32) Tom Abele, Jr., Norwich Conn., Chevrolet, 96.442+
34. (17) Glen Reen, Wilbraham Mass., Chevrolet, 97.040
35. (53) Sean Patterson, Wading River N.Y., Pontiac, 95.384
Top 10 redrew following qualifying
* Denotes Rookie of the Year Contender
+ Denotes Provisional
Sources: Jason Cunningham/NASCAR WMT PR