Hossfeld Returns the ‘Mystic Missile’ to Victory Lane at Stafford
NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour driver Earns Sixth Career Victory
Stafford, CT — Chuck Hossfeld piloted the No. 4 Mystic Missile Dodge to Victory Lane in the third NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour event of the season Friday night in the TSI Harley-Davidson 150 at Stafford Motor Speedway.
In a race that was delayed nearly two and a half hours, Hossfeld won for the first time since the 2004 season. Hossfeld also won the race Donny Lia did in the No. 4 last year en route to the championship.
The victory was the sixth of Hossfeld’s career. Each of his previous wins came in the No. 4 in his first stint with car owner Bob Garbarino, which ended after 2004. Hossfeld rejoined the team in the offseason after Lia left to run in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.
“I’m just thrilled to be hooked up with my team, my old team,” Hossfeld said. “It scared me that I wouldn’t have a ride on the [NASCAR Whelen Modified] Tour. This is my home, I love this tour. I don’t know what I expected, but I’m glad with what’s going on.
Hossfeld, who captured his eighth career Coors Light Pole Award earlier in the evening, led 39 of the first 40 laps of the race before giving way to Bobby Grigas III.
Grigas and a host of the race leaders pitted on lap 92 and Matt Hirschman assumed the lead when he stayed out. When the race went green again following lap 107, Hossfeld beat Hirschman back to the line to take back the lead, a lead he never relinquished.
“The car was just a tick too tight at the end, but I don’t care,” Hossfeld said. “We won, I’m happy.”
Todd Szegedy was the runner-up followed by Ted Christopher, Mike Stefanik and Jimmy Blewett in fifth. Eric Beers, Ed Flemke Jr., Ryan Preece, James Civali and rookie Erick Rudolph rounded out the top 10.
Prior to the race NASCAR honored seven-time NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Champion Mike Stefanik as part of the season-long celebration of 60 years of Modified champions.
Hossfeld will take a 36 point lead into the next event ahead of Christopher in the season standings. Szegedy is 61 points back.
During post-race technical inspection, possible with the No. 19 of Blewett were found. The parts in question will be taken back to the NASCAR Research & Development Center in Concord, N.C., for further evaluation.
The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour will make its next stop at Thompson (Conn.) International Speedway for the New England Dodge Dealers 75 on Thursday, June 19. Only green flag laps will be counted in that race’s format.
NASCAR WHELEN MODIFIED TOUR-TSI Harley-Davidson 150 Unofficial Results
Friday
At Stafford Motor Speedway
Stafford, CT
Lap length: 0.5 miles
(Start position in parentheses)
1. (1) Chuck Hossfeld, Ransomville, N.Y., Dodge, 153 laps, 62.449 mph, $7,100.
2. (14) Todd Szegedy, Ridgefield, Conn., Ford, 153, $3,200.
3. (4) Ted Christopher, Plainville, Conn., Chevrolet, 153, $2,700.
4. (27) Mike Stefanik, Coventry, R.I., Pontiac, 153, $3,050.
5. (6) Jimmy Blewett, Howell, N.J., Chevrolet, 153, $1,900.
6. (3) Eric Beers, Northampton, Pa., Chevrolet, 153, $1,600.
7. (17) Ed Flemke, Jr., Southington, Conn., Chevrolet, 153, $1,500.
8. (5) Ryan Preece, Kensington, Conn., Chevrolet, 153, $1,900.
9. (19) James Civali, Meriden, Conn., Chevrolet, 153, $1,350.
10. (9) Erick Rudolph, Ransomville, N.Y., Chevrolet, 153, $1,600.
11. (7) Matt Hirschman, Northampton, Pa., Chevrolet, 153, $1,250.
12. (24) Rowan Pennink, Huntingdon Valley, Pa., Chevrolet, 153, $1,225.
13. (21) Charles Pasteryak, Lisbon, Conn., Chevrolet, 153, $1,150.
14. (13) Jamie Tomaino, Howell, N.J., Chevrolet, 153, $1,100.
15. (29) Billy Pauch, Jr., Frenchtown, N.J., Dodge, 153, $1,075.
16. (2) Bobby Grigas, III, Marshfield, Mass., Chevrolet, 153, $1,050.
17. (26) Kevin Goodale, Riverhead, N.Y., Chevrolet, 153, $1,025.
18. (20) Woody Pitkat, Stafford, Conn., Chevrolet, 153, $1,000.
19. (28) Ken Heagy, Calverton, N.Y., Chevrolet, 153, $950.
20. (15) Danny Sammons, Hamilton, N.J., Chevrolet, 153, $925.
21. (25) Glen Reen, Wilbraham, Mass., Pontiac, 153, $900.
22. (30) Wade Cole, Riverton, Conn., Chevrolet, 152, $875.
23. (31) Joe Hartmann, Calverton, N.Y., Chevrolet, 151, $850.
24. (8) Richard Savary, Canton, Mass., Chevrolet, 148, $825.
25. (22) Glenn Tyler, Hampton Bays, N.Y., Chevrolet, 145, ignition, $800.
26. (11) Ronnie Silk, Norwalk, Conn., Pontiac, 133, accident, $768.
27. (23) Eric Berndt, Cromwell, Conn., Chevrolet, 109, accident, $750.
28. (16) Anthony Sesely, Matawan, N.J., Chevrolet, 108, suspension, $750.
29. (10) Reggie Ruggiero, Rocky Hill, Conn., Ford, 19, accident, $750.
30. (12) Rob Summers, Vernon, Conn., Chevrolet, 18, accident, $750.
31. (18) Rick Fuller, Auburn, Mass., 18, accident, $750.
Race Statistics
Time of Race: 1 hour 13 minutes 30 seconds
Margin of Victory: .416 seconds
Fastest Qualifier: C.Hossfeld (99.272 mph, 18.132 seconds)
Caution Flags: 9 for 46 laps.
Lead Changes: 4 among 3 drivers.
Lap Leaders: B.Grigas,III 1; C.Hossfeld 2-39; B.Grigas,III 40-92; M.Hirschman 93-106; C.Hossfeld 107-153.
Standings: 1. C.Hossfeld, 515; 2. T.Christopher, 479; 3. T.Szegedy, 454; 4. J.Civali, 443; 5. R.Pennink, 415; 6. E.Flemke,Jr., 408; 7. E.Beers, 399; 8. M.Stefanik, 384; 9. J.Blewett, 376; 10. M.Hirschman, 366.
Sources: Jason Cunningham/NASCAR WMT PR