Statistical Advance: Analyzing The CARQUEST Fall Final At Stafford Motor Speedway

By admin October 6, 2008 NASCAR WMT, Stafford

Daytona Beach, FL — The fourth and final stop for the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour at Stafford (Conn.) Motor Speedway will take place this weekend with the rescheduled CARQUEST Fall Final.

At Stafford Motor Speedway:

  • Since the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour formed in 1985, there have been 89 races at Stafford Motor Speedway.
  • There have been 28 different race winners at SMS, led by Mike Stefanik’s 19 victories.
  • There have been 34 different pole winners at SMS, led by Stefanik’s 14.
  • Ted Christopher, Chuck Hossfeld and Jimmy Blewett have reached Victory Lane in the first three races at Stafford in 2008.
  • Christopher had the longest win streak in the history of the NWMT at SMS with four-straight victories from Sept. 30, 2001 to Aug. 23, 2002.
  • No driver has swept every NWMT event at SMS during a calendar year … Reggie Ruggiero (1987), Stefanik (1990, 1997, 1998) and Christopher (2002) have won three races in the same year.

Last Time Out – Chemung, Oct. 4:

• Matt Hirschman registered his second win of the year … He won the Coors Light Pole Award and a 25-lap heat race before leading start-to-finish in the 125-lap main.

  • With the win Hirschman drew within 55 points of series leader Ted Christopher, who finished seventh in the race.
  • Chuck Hossfeld recorded his first top-five finish since the Mason Farms 100 on July 12 … He also won the second heat race.
  • Rookie Erick Rudolph placed sixth, the best finish of his eight career starts.

• This was the first race at Chemung Speedrome since 2001, and just the second in series history.

Season Recap:
• With two races remaining there are seven drivers mathematically eligible to contend for the title … With 55 points separating first and second place, the championship cannot be decided this week.
• Ted Christopher assumed the season points lead for the first time at Mansfield (Ohio) Motorsports Park when he captured the Whelen 150 … He also won the Tech-Net Spring Sizzler at Stafford (Conn.) Motor Speedway and the New Hampshire 100.
• Matt Hirschman earned his first career NWMT victory at Spencer Speedway on July 12 … He also won the last time out at Chemung Speedrome and now trails Christopher by 55 points.
• Chuck Hossfeld, who led in points for eight straight races, is now 195 behind Christopher … He has victories at SMS (5/23) and New Hampshire Motor Speedway (6/28).
• Todd Szegedy won at Thompson (Conn.) International Speedway on Sept. 7 … It was his first win of 2008, and 13th of his career.

  • Ronnie Silk has two wins this year, both at TIS.
  • Jimmy Blewett won back-to-back races at Riverhead Raceway (8/2) and SMS (8/8).
  • Ed Flemke Jr. captured the season-opener at TIS (4/6), his first victory since 2004.

• Ryan Preece garnered his first career NWMT victory at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway.

Selected Driver Highlights:
Eric Beers (No. 46 Chevrolet)

  • Has two wins and eight poles in 126 career starts.
  • Has five top-five finishes in 14 starts this year.

• Has finished second, fifth and fifth in his previous three trips to SMS in 2008.

Jimmy Blewett (No. 19 Chevrolet)

  • Has four wins and one pole in 60 career starts.
  • Earned his first NWMT wins at Riverhead on Aug. 2, and at SMS on Aug. 8.
  • Is currently 10th in NWMT points with five top fives.

• Finished 11th in the final 2008 NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Top 500 standings.

Ted Christopher (No. 36 Chevrolet)

  • Has 30 wins and 13 poles in 259 career starts.
  • Has a 55-point lead in the season standings over Matt Hirschman.
  • Has 2008 wins at SMS (April 27), Mansfield Motorsports Park (Aug. 23) and New Hampshire Motor Speedway (Sept. 13).
  • Has at least one victory in 10 consecutive seasons.
  • Has led 572 of 2003 (28.5%) total laps this year, more than any other driver.

• Is the all-time SMS wins leader … Will also contend this weekend for the SK Modified track championship and will compete in the NASCAR Camping World Series East race.

Doug Coby (No. 28 Chevrolet)

  • Shares the ride with Woody Pitkat … Has two top fives in three starts this year.
  • Has one win, 12 top fives and 24 top 10s in 79 career starts.

• Finished 17th in the 2008 NWAAS Top 500 standings.

Ed Flemke Jr. (No. 10 Chevrolet)

  • Won the season-opener at TIS.
  • Has 17 wins and 16 poles in 367 career starts.

• Has made a record 308 consecutive starts … The last time he did not start an NWMT race was on July 22, 1992 at Riverside Park Speedway.
• Has finished 27th, sixth and second in his previous three trips to SMS in 2008.

Rick Fuller (No. 77)

  • 1993 NWMT Champion … Was honored on Sept. 7 at TIS.
  • Has 20 wins and 11 poles in 437 career starts … Last won at Waterford in May, 2003.

• Has five career wins at SMS … Last was on April 30, 2000.

Matt Hirschman (No. 59 Chevrolet)
• Has two wins and 27 top 10s in 53 career starts … Earned his first NWMT win at Spencer on July 12 … Won last time out at Chemung.
• Has finished on the lead lap in 31 consecutive races, the most among all drivers … Is the only driver to complete all 2003 laps this year.
• Has top-10s in 10 of the last 12 races, including the last seven in a row.

Chuck Hossfeld (No. 4 Dodge)
• Is now fourth in the season standings, 195 behind leader Ted Christopher … Maintained the points lead for eight weeks before Christopher passed him at MMP.

  • Ended a seven-race top five drought by finishing fourth at Chemung last time out.
  • Has wins this year at SMS (May 23) and NHMS (June 28) … Also won the pole at SMS.

• Has seven wins, 43 top fives and 62 top 10s in 109 career starts.

Rowan Pennink (No. 93 Chevrolet)

  • Is ninth in the season standings.

• Has six top 10s in 14 starts in 2008 and seven total in 28 career starts.

Ryan Preece (No. 3 Chevrolet)

  • Has two poles, a win and nine top 10s in 28 career starts.
  • Currently ranks eighth in the season standings with seven top 10s in 14 starts.
  • Got his first career NWMT win at Martinsville.

• Has led 401 laps this year, second among all drivers.

Glen Reen (No. 17 Chevrolet)

  • Top-ranking rookie … Is 19th in the season standings and first in rookie points.

• Has three top 10s in 14 starts with best finishes of sixth at Spencer and TIS.

Erick Rudolph (No. 45 Chevrolet)

  • Has earned Sunoco Rookie of the Race honors in five of his eight starts.

• Has top-10 finishes in his last three outings, including a career-best sixth place at Chemung.

Ronnie Silk (No. 79 Pontiac)

  • Has won two races in 2008, both at TIS.
  • Is fifth in the standings … Has top-10 finishes in eight of the last 11 races, including two wins.

• Has three wins and 21 top-10s in 53 career NWMT starts … All three wins have come at TIS.

Mike Stefanik (No. 16 Pontiac)

  • Seven-time NWMT Champion … Was honored at SMS on May 23.
  • Has a NWMT record 68 victories in 379 career starts … Last win was the 2007 Fall Final.
  • Has nine top 10s in 2008 and is sixth in the season standings.

• Has finished fourth, fourth and seventh in the first three SMS races in 2008.

Todd Szegedy (No. 2 Ford)

  • The 2003 NWMT Champion … Was honored at NHMS on Sept. 13.
  • Has 13 wins in 108 career starts, the best start-to-victory ratio (8:1) of any active driver.

• Has finished ninth, second and 22nd in the first three 2008 races at SMS.

Jamie Tomaino (No. 99 Chevrolet)

  • The 1990 NWMT Champion … Was honored at Spencer on July 12.
  • Has missed only four of the 501 races in the history of the NWMT (1985-pr.).
  • Has four top 10s on the year and 233 in his career.

• Is one of three drivers (Rick Fuller, Carl Pasteryak) to make a start in all 24 years of the NWMT.

Upcoming Milestones/Benchmarks:

  • Jamie Tomaino will extend his own series record by making his 498th career start.
  • Ed Flemke Jr. is expected to extend his record consecutive starts streak to 310.
  • Ted Christopher’s next win would place him in a tie with Jeff Fuller for fourth on the NWMT all-time wins list at 31.

Sources: Jason Cunningham/NASCAR WMT PR