Christopher Nabs Second Pole In A Row For Spring Sizzler
Connecticut Racer Also Earned Pole In Season Opener
Stafford, CT — Ted Christopher made it two-for-two in 2009 as he earned his second NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Coors Light Pole Award of the young season Saturday afternoon at Stafford Motor Speedway in advance of Sunday’s Tech-Net Spring Sizzler presented by CARQUEST.
Christopher, of Plainville, Conn., turned a fast lap of 18.150 seconds (99.174 mph) in the No. 36 Al-Lee Installations Chevrolet Saturday for his 20th career Coors Light Pole Award, and his third at Stafford. The reigning NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour champion – and defending winner of the Spring Sizzler – also captured the pole for the season opener at Thompson (Conn.) International Speedway, and wound up in Victory Lane the following day.
Mike Stefanik (No. 16 Diversified Metals/Sanderson-MacLeod Pontiac) was the second-fastest qualifier Saturday with a time of 18.368 seconds (99.997 mph). Stefanik, who has more wins and poles than any NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour driver with 20 and 15, respectively, accomplished both in the tour’s last visit to Stafford for the 2008 CARQUEST Fall Final.
Ryan Preece (18.374 seconds/99.956 mph), Eric Berndt (18.378/97.943) and Donny Lia (18.379/99.938) rounded out the top five fastest cars in time trials.
The top 10 qualifiers redrew following time trials. Preece and Stefanik will now start on the front row for Sunday’s 200-lap feature followed in the second row by Christopher and Berndt.
Sunday’s Tech-Net Spring Sizzler presented by CARQUEST festivities will get underway with an on-track autograph session at 11 a.m., followed by opening ceremonies at 12:15 p.m. The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour is slated to take to the track at approximately 2:30 p.m. For event and ticket information, please visit Stafford’s official Web site (staffordmotorspeedway.com).
Sources: Jason Cunningham/NASCAR WMT PR
Qualifying Results
NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour – Tech-Net Spring Sizzler pres. by CARQUEST Lineup
Race Sunday; Qualifying Saturday
at Stafford Motor Speedway
Stafford, CT
Lap Length: 0.5 miles
1. (3) Ryan Preece, Kensington, Conn., Chevrolet, 97.965
2. (16) Mike Stefanik, Coventry, R.I., Pontiac, 97.997
3. (36) Ted Christopher, Plainville, Conn., Chevrolet, 99.174
4. (54) Eric Berndt, Cromwell, Conn., Chevrolet, 97.943
5. (93) Rowan Pennink, Huntingdon Valley, Pa., Chevrolet, 97.720
6. (2) Todd Szegedy, Ridgefield, Conn., Ford, 97.471
7. (52) Chris Pasteryak, Lisbon, Conn., Chevrolet, 97.667
8. (4) Donny Lia, Jericho, N.Y., Dodge, 97.938
9. (75) Carl Pasteryak, Lisbon, Conn., Pontiac, 97.498
10. (12) Jimmy Blewett, Howell, N.J., Chevrolet, 97.503
11. (17) Glen Reen, Wilbraham, Mass., Chevrolet, 97.392
12. (60) Matt Hirschman, Northampton, Pa., Chevrolet, 97.297
13. (19) Doug Coby, Milford, Conn., Chevrolet, 97.213
14. (59) Erick Rudolph, Ransomville, N.Y., Chevrolet, 97.135
15. (79) Ron Silk, Norwalk, Conn., Pontiac, 97.009
16. (28) Woody Pitkat, Stafford, Conn., Chevrolet, 96.957
17. (46) Eric Beers, Northampton, Pa., Chevrolet, 96.915
18. (1) Rob Summers, Vernon, Conn., Chevrolet, 96.889
19. (14) Reggie Ruggiero, Rocky Hill, Conn., Ford, 96.686
20. (10) Ed Flemke, Jr., Southington, Conn., Chevrolet, 96.598
21. (18) Ken Heagy, Calverton, N.Y., Chevrolet, 96.556
22. (21) Richard Savary, Canton, Mass., Chevrolet, 96.417
23. (90) Renee Dupuis, Glastonbury, Conn., Chevrolet, 96.267
24. (99) Jamie Tomaino, Howell, N.J., Chevrolet, 96.190
25. (09) Bobby Grigas, III, Marshfield, Mass., Chevrolet, 96.123
26. (05) Joe Hartmann, Calverton, N.Y., Chevrolet, 95.995
27. (08) Tommy Farrell, III, Neptune, N.J., Chevrolet, 95.944 *
28. (8) Glenn Tyler, Hampton Bays, N.Y., Chevrolet, 95.903
29. (58) Eric Goodale, Riverhead, N.Y., Chevrolet, 94.305 *+
30. (33) Wade Cole, Riverton, Conn., Chevrolet, 95.679 +
31. (32) Tom Abele, Jr., Norwich, Conn., Chevrolet, 95.775 +
32. (9) Jake Marosz, Middletown, Conn., Chevrolet, 92.095 +
33. (50) Kevin Goodale, Riverhead, N.Y., Chevrolet, 95.836 +
* Sunoco Rookie of the Year Contender
+ Provisional Starter
Top 10 Qualifiers Redrew