News & Notes: Brunnhoelzl Ready To Challenge At Bristol
George Brunnhoelzl III (No. 28 Oval Speed/Fibrwrap/PT Ford) enters this week’s UNOH Perfect Storm 150 with a 66-point lead over Andy Seuss. The New York native and third-generation driver has been to Bristol before and knows anything can happen. He’s one of 15 NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified drivers entered to join their northern counterparts for the first Modified Tour race at BMS.
While it will be the first time Brunnhoelzl has raced a modified at the track, he has competed at the World’s Fastest Half-Mile in a full-fendered car.
“I love racing at Bristol and I can’t wait to race a modified,” said Brunnhoelzl. “I know the fans will get one heck of a show and I think it is going to be very exciting for everyone.”
Brunnhoelzl joined nearly 25 drivers who have tested at least one at the track.
“The speed we are carrying is unbelievable,” added Brunnhoelzl. “While it will be fast, it will also be a typical Bristol race where you are going to have to have some luck to stay out of trouble. A little luck and a good handling car ought to give us a chance to challenge for the win. That would be great to win the first Whelen modified race here.”
One NASCAR Whelen Modified driver who made the trip to Bristol for the test was veteran Todd Szegedy.
“We ran about 100 laps or so during our test and never really bolted on any new tires,” said Szegedy. “We wanted to see what kind of tire wear we might have to help us prepare our car for the race.”
In addition to the implications of the combination event between the two Tours — and the bragging rights that come with it — NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers Ryan Newman and Kasey Kahne are also in the field.
In a NASCAR combination event, the drivers receive points based on their finish in relation to other drivers on their tour. In addition, the highest-finishing driver in each tour will be credited with a win, regardless of their overall finish.
Andy Seuss hopes to make up some ground as he trails Brunnhoelzl in the southern division standings and he also tested at the track back in June.
“I can’t wait for Wednesday night,” said Seuss. “We worked hard during our test session and tried a couple of things we hope will help take us to the front in the race. You will have to go 100% the entire race if you want to have a chance to win. It sure would be nice to celebrate a win at Bristol.”
A field of 36 cars will take the green flag at 6:15 p.m. with the race to be televised same-day tape-delayed at 7 p.m. on SPEED.
Brunnhoelzl wanted to thank Whelen, NASCAR and Bristol Motor Speedway for making the event possible.
“I think modified racing is the best racing in the world and I know a lot of drivers really appreciate the efforts of everyone to make this event happen and this is one of the biggest races in the history of modified racing,” added Brunnhoelzl.
This will be the first of two companion events for the tours as they will meet again on September 27 at Martinsville Speedway for the Whelen Made In America 300.
Fast Facts
The Race UNOH Perfect Storm 150
The Place Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway
The Date Wednesday, August 19
The Time 6:15 p.m. ET
TV Schedule SPEED, 7 p.m.
The Distance 150 laps / 79.95 miles
Race Purse $91,575
Event Schedule Tuesday: Practice 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.; Wednesday: Practice 8 – 9:50 a.m., 11 – 11:50 a.m., Qualifying 2:50 p.m.
Track Contact Lori Worley, (423) 989-6948, lori@bristolmotorspeedway.com
NASCAR PR Contact Tim Southers, (386) 235-3634, tsouthers@nascar.com
News & Notes: Season-To-Date
Points Battle … Coming up on the halfway point of the season, George Brunnhoelzl III (No. 28 Oval Speed/ Fibrwrap/PT Ford) holds a 66-point lead on Andy Seuss (No. 47 Advance Auto Parts/Q Racing Oil/Stuart Auto Dodge) and 94 over defending champion Brian Loftin (No. 23 L & R Transmissions/QMF Metal Chevrolet). Brunnhoelzl has one win and five top fives in six races.
Winners … Seuss and Ted Christopher have two wins apiece. Christopher, a regular on the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, won two of the first three events of the season. Seuss won at South Boston (Va.) Speedway (April 4) and Lanier National Speedway in Braselton, Ga. (April 18). Since the tour resumed following its traditional summer break (April 18-July 3), Brunnhoelzl and Luke Fleming have visited Victory Lane. Brunnhoelzl won at Caraway Speedway in Asheboro, N.C., on July 3, and Fleming’s win came at historic Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, N.C., on his first career start.
Sources: Tim Southers/NASCAR WSMT PR