Christopher Dominates Budweiser 150 At Thompson
Takes NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Points Lead With Win
Thompson, CT — For most of the night Ted Christopher made it look easy. Almost too easy.
Christopher paced the field from the start and only relinquished the lead twice during the Budweiser King of Beers 150 on Thursday at Thompson International Speedway to record his 37th career NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour victory.
It was Christopher’s 10th Whelen Modified Tour win at Thompson, and his fourth in the Tour’s last six races at the .625-mile oval. The Plainville, Conn., driver led 141 of the 156 laps.
[Photo Gallery] by Nicholas Teto
Christopher was clearly the class of the field building leads by as much as four seconds before losing his advantage after the fourth and final caution flag of the race flew on Lap 149 after Erick Rudolph’s problems set up the final sprint to the finish.
Bobby Santos took the lead after Christopher pitted under caution on Lap 95, however, it only took Christopher 10 laps to get back in front after the restart on Lap 101. Santos finished the race in third place.
Following Santos across the line Thursday night was Rowan Pennink and Mike Stefanik in the top five. Todd Szegedy, Chuck Hossfeld, Doug Coby, Eric Goodale and Glen Reen rounded out the top 10.
With the win, Christopher took the championship points lead from Santos, who had led through the first nine races. Christopher’s three wins and six top-fives have forged a 14-point lead over Santos with Mike Stefanik in third, 85 tallies back.
The Budweiser Kings of Beers 150 from Thompson International Speedway will air on VERSUS on Wednesday, Aug. 25 at 7 p.m.
NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour returns to action when it joins the NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour in the only combination event of the season next Wednesday, Aug. 18 at 6 p.m., for the UNOH Perfect Storm 150 at Bristol Motor Speedway.
Sources: Jason Cunningham/NASCAR PR
NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour-Budweiser King of Beers 150 Unofficial Results
Thursday
At Thompson International Speedway
Thompson, Conn.
Lap length: 0.625 miles
(Start position in parentheses)
1. (2) Ted Christopher, Plainville, Conn., Chevrolet, 156 laps, 94.228 mph, $7,900.
2. (5) Ron Silk, Norwalk, Conn., Chevrolet, 156, $3,400.
3. (3) Bobby Santos, Franklin, Mass., Dodge, 156, $3,500.
4. (4) Rowan Pennink, Huntingdon Valley, Pa., Chevrolet, 156, $3,100.
5. (8) Mike Stefanik, Coventry, R.I., Pontiac, 156, $2,300.
6. (10) Todd Szegedy, Ridgefield, Conn., Ford, 156, $2,050.
7. (6) Chuck Hossfeld, Ransomville, N.Y., Chevrolet, 156, $1,850.
8. (13) Doug Coby, Milford, Conn., Chevrolet, 156, $1,325.
9. (16) Eric Goodale, Riverhead, N.Y., Chevrolet, 156, $1,900.
10. (22) Glen Reen, Wilbraham, Mass., Chevrolet, 156, $1,900.
11. (12) Eric Beers, Northampton, Pa., Chevrolet, 156, $1,625.
12. (20) James Civali, Meriden, Conn., Pontiac, 156, $1,488.
13. (23) Jamie Tomaino, Howell, N.J., Chevrolet, 156, $1,475.
14. (25) Richie Pallai, Jr., Yorktown Heights, N.Y., Chevrolet, 156, $1,750.
15. (14) Jimmy Blewett, Howell, N.J., Chevrolet, 155, accident, $1,436.
16. (18) Ed Flemke, Jr., Southington, Conn., Chevrolet, 155, accident, $1,400.
17. (15) George Brunnhoelzl, III, W. Babylon, N.Y., Chevrolet, 154, $1,375.
18. (26) Wade Cole, Riverton, Conn., Chevrolet, 151, $1,350.
19. (29) Gary McDonald, Ronkonkoma, N.Y., Chevrolet, 151, $1,325.
20. (19) Renee Dupuis, Glastonbury, Conn., Chevrolet, 151, $1,300.
21. (17) Erick Rudolph, Ransomville, N.Y., Chevrolet, 149, accident, $1,375.
22. (11) Ryan Preece, Berlin, Conn., Chevrolet, 146, $1,350.
23. (28) Jake Marosz, Middletown, Conn., Chevrolet, 142, $1,225.
24. (1) Justin Bonsignore, Holtsville, N.Y., Chevrolet, 126, electrical, $1,300.
25. (24) Woody Pitkat, Stafford, Conn., Chevrolet, 106, engine, $1,190.
26. (21) Ken Heagy, Calverton, N.Y., Ford, 105, engine, $750.
27. (27) Johnny Bush, Huntington Station, N.Y., Chevrolet, 39, drive shaft, $1,150.
28. (9) Kevin Goodale, Riverhead, N.Y., Chevrolet, 3, accident, $750.
29. (7) Eric Berndt, Cromwell, Conn., Chevrolet, 1, accident, $1,150.
Race Statistics
Time of Race: 1 hour 2 minutes 5 seconds
Margin of Victory: 0.228 seconds
Fastest Qualifier: T.Christopher (120.812 mph, 18.624 seconds)
Caution Flags: 4 for 20 laps.
Lead Changes: 4 among 3 drivers.
Lap Leaders: T. Christopher 1-96; B. Santos 97-110; T. Christopher 111-153; R. Silk 154; T. Christopher 155-156.
Standings: 1. T. Christopher, 1583; 2. B. Santos, 1569; 3. M. Stefanik, 1498; 4. R. Silk, 1467; 5. T. Szegedy, 1463; 6. R. Preece, 1358; 7. E. Rudolph, 1246; 8. E. Beers, 1227; 9. E. Goodale, 1227; 10. R. Pennink, 1195.