Modified Champion Jeff Fuller to be Honored at Thompson
NASCAR to Recognize 1992 Modified Champ on June 19
Daytona Beach, FL — As part of a season-long celebration of 60 years of Modified champions, 1992 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour titlist Jeff Fuller will be honored at the New England Dodge Dealers 75 presented by Charter Cable, Internet & Telephone on Thursday, June 19 at Thompson (Conn.) International Speedway.
Originally from Auburn, Mass., Fuller was one of the most successful drivers during the first 10 years of the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, and he excelled at Thompson, where he registered a third of his career wins.
Fuller, who often had to battle his brother Rick for checkered flags and championships, compiled 31 victories on the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, a total that ranks fourth on the tour’s all-time list. Before he moved on to the NASCAR Nationwide Series in 1995, Fuller had finished in the top 10 in the Modified season standings in seven of 10 years.
Named the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Most Popular Driver in 1992-94, Fuller was also a very successful qualifier. He won the season Coors Light Pole Award in 1991 and 1993, and his 28 career poles ranks fourth in the tour’s record book.
After finishing as the runner-up to Mike Stefanik for the 1991 title, all of the pieces fell into place for Fuller the following season. Thanks to a fast start that saw him register five wins in the first nine races of the 1992 campaign, Fuller had a stranglehold on the points lead halfway through the schedule and held on to finish 314 points ahead of Reggie Ruggiero. His title season included a total of six wins, 15 top fives and 18 top 10s in 21 races.
Following a successful run in the Modifieds, Fuller went on to nab a win and 14 top 10s in 184 career starts in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. In 1995 he became just the fourth rookie ever to finish in the top 10 in the NASCAR Nationwide Series season standings and subsequently was named the Rookie of the Year. Now a resident of Mooresville, N.C., Fuller also made 13 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series starts.
Thompson, site of the upcoming recognition, was one of Fuller’s best tracks. Of his 31 Modified victories, 10 came at the .625-mile banked oval that was just a 20-minute drive from his Auburn home. His first Thompson victory came in the 1990 World Series and he went on to capture the checkered flag in six of the next eight NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour races at the track, including four in a row in 1991-92.
NASCAR plans to honor each of its 31 all-time Modified champions throughout the season. The celebration began with the recognition of Frankie Schneider, Donny Lia and Richie Evans at Thompson on April 6. Since the season-opener Red Byron, Ernie Gahan and Mike Stefanik have also been recognized.
Fuller’s younger brother Rick, who won the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour title in 1993, will also be recognized at Thompson later this year.
Following nearly a month layoff the NASCAR Whelen Modified tour will get back on track at Thompson for the green flag-only event on June 19 in which caution laps will not count. The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour will hold an afternoon practice session and time trials at 5:30 p.m. prior to Thompson’s regular Thursday night NASCAR Whelen All-American Series schedule, which is set to commence at 6:30 p.m. For ticket information, please visit Thompson’s official Web site (thompsonspeedway.com).
Sources: Jason Cunningham/NASCAR WMT PR