Blewett Reaches Victory Lane at Riverhead
Earns Third Career NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Win
Riverhead, NY — Jimmy Blewett registered his third career NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour victory Saturday night when he took the checkered flag in the Miller Lite 140 at Riverhead Raceway.
Blewett, of Howell, N.J., was strong throughout the evening as he led three times for 80 laps, including the final 46. After qualifying fourth-fastest, Blewett took the win in the second of two 25-lap heat races that preceded the 140-lap main. He was then able to parlay his qualifying success into front-running in the feature.
After staring on the outside pole, Blewett led the first 10 circuits and swapped the lead with pole-sitter Bill Park twice in the early going. He would take his third and final lead of the night on a restart on lap 102.
The win was the third of Blewett’s career and his first at Riverhead. He had previously won at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway and Wall Township (N.J.) Speedway.
For the second race in a row, Ronnie Silk finished as the runner-up. With four top-10s in a row, including a win, Silk has moved up to seventh in the season points standings after a slow start.
Making his first NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour start of the year after he captured the series title a year ago, Donny Lia finished third and was followed in the top five by Ted Christopher and Ryan Preece. The fifth place finish was the best of Preece’s young career.
Ken Heagy, Mike Stefanik, Dan Jivanelli, Glenn Tyler and Eric Beers filled out the top 10.
Chuck Hossfeld came home 18th in the race and suffered his first finish outside the top five this year, but will retain a 44-point lead over Christopher in the season standings.
The 2008 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour season will reach its midway point next week when the New England Dodge Dealers 150 is contested at Stafford ( Conn. ) Motor Speedway. The third race of the season at the half-mile oval, and the eighth overall, will take place Friday, Aug. 8.
Sources: Jason Cunningham/NASCAR WMT PR
NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour-Miller Lite 140 Results
Saturday
At Riverhead Raceway
Riverhead, NY
Lap length: 0.25 miles
(Start position in parentheses)
1. (2) Jimmy Blewett,Howell, N.J., Chevrolet, 147 laps, 33.418 mph, $3,300.
2. (10) Ronnie Silk, Norwalk, Conn., Pontiac, 147, $2,100.
3. (15) Donny Lia, Jericho, N.Y., Chevrolet, 147, $1,400.
4. (3) Ted Christopher, Plainville, Conn., Chevrolet, 147, $1,600.
5. (7) Ryan Preece, Kensington, Conn., Chevrolet, 147, $2,000.
6. (21) Ken Heagy, Calverton, N.Y., Ford, 147, $2,150.
7. (9) Mike Stefanik, Coventry, R.I., Pontiac, 147, $1,250.
8. (23) Dan Jivanelli, Hampton Bays, N.Y., Chevrolet, 147, $1,000.
9. (4) Glenn Tyler, Hampton Bays, N.Y., Chevrolet, 147, $1,175.
10. (20) Eric Beers, Northampton, Pa., Chevrolet, 147, $1,150.
11. (11) Tony Ferrante, Jr., New Hyde Park, N.Y., Chevrolet, 147, $925.
12. (27) Glen Reen, Wilbraham, Mass., Chevrolet, 147, $1,300.
13. (6) Kevin Goodale, Riverhead, N.Y., Chevrolet, 147, $900.
14. (13) Todd Szegedy, Ridgefield, Conn., Ford, 147, $850.
15. (1) Bill Park, Manorville, N.Y., Chevrolet, 147, $1,200.
16. (14) Matt Hirschman, Northampton, Pa., Chevrolet, 147, $775.
17. (12) Chuck Hossfeld, Ransomville, N.Y., Dodge, 146, $725.
18. (26) Joe Hartmann, Calverton, N.Y., Chevrolet, 145, $700.
19. (24) Ed Flemke, Jr., Southington, Conn., Chevrolet, 140, $675.
20. (17) Wade Cole, Riverton, Conn., Chevrolet, 139, $625.
21. (25) Rowan Pennink, Huntingdon Valley, Pa., Chevrolet, 134, $600.
22. (22) Anthony Sesely, Matawan, N.J., Chevrolet, 134, $550.
23. (19) Wayne Anderson, Yaphank, N.Y., Chevrolet, 96, accident, $327.
24. (8) Chuck Steuer, Bohemia, N.Y., Chevrolet, 83, accident, $300.
25. (5) Mike Andrews, Bohemia, Chevrolet, 81, suspension, $300.
26. (18) Bobby Grigas, III, Marshfield, Mass., Chevrolet, 55, engine, $500.
27. (16) James Civali, Meriden, Conn., Chevrolet, 54, accident, $500.
28. (28) Jamie Tomaino, Howell, N.J., Chevrolet, 14, accident, $300.
Race Statistics
Time of Race: 1 hour 5 minutes 59 seconds
Margin of Victory: 0.579 seconds
Fastest Qualifier: B.Park (75.462 mph, 11.926 seconds)
Caution Flags: 11 for 95 laps.
Lead Changes: 5 among 3 drivers.
Lap Leaders: J.Blewett 1-10; B.Park 11-12; J.Blewett 13-36; B.Park 37-58; T.Christopher 59-101; J.Blewett 102-147.
Standings: 1. C.Hossfeld, 1132; 2. T.Christopher, 1085; 3. T.Szegedy, 1017; 4.M.Hirschman, 938; 5. M.Stefanik, 935; 6. E.Beers, 931; 7. R.Silk, 921; 8. E.Flemke,Jr.,883; 9. R.Pennink, 866; 10. R.Preece, 847.