Santos Earns NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Title
Christopher Wins Race, Santos Leaves with 2010 Crown
Thompson, CT — Bobby Santos came home sixth to put the finishing touches on his first NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour championship Sunday, while Ted Christopher continued his mastery of Thompson International Speedway. Christopher became the first driver in Whelen Modified Tour history to earn three straight victories in the Sunoco World Series of Speedway Racing, the traditional season-ending event.
For Santos, the Whelen Modified Tour title came in his first full-time season competing in the division. He gave car owner Bob Garbarino his third championship in four years. Garbarino, an owner in the division since 1961, did not win a championship until driver Donny Lia won it in 2007 and 2009.
When Lia left the No. 4 “Mystic Missile” Dodge in February to run the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, it opened the door for the 25-year-old from Franklin, Mass. Santos proceeded to recorded four wins and four Coors Light Pole Awards during his title campaign and Thompson’s finale was his 11th top-10 finish during the 14-race season.
[Thompson World Series Sat. Photo Gallery] by Nicholas Teto
[Thompson World Series Sun. Photo Gallery] by Nicholas Teto
Santos entered the event with a 37-point lead over Stefanik, and was able to keep the nine-time NASCAR champion in his sights throughout the race. Stefanik finished fourth behind Christopher, Ryan Preece and Doug Coby.
Santos finished 27 points ahead of Stefanik in the final standings, and 78 ahead of Christopher. Ron Silk and Todd Szegedy rounded out the top five in points. Silk was also fifth in Sunday’s race and led an event-high 45 laps.
The World Series was Christopher’s second win in three Tour races at the track this year, his fifth in the last seven events there and his 11th overall at the .625-mile speedway.
Eric Beers finished seventh in Sunday’s race, followed by Eric Goodale, Rowan Pennink and James Civali. Burt Myers, who wrapped up the NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified championship Thursday at Charlotte Motor Speedway, finished 14th.
As the 2010 Whelen Modified Tour champion, Santos has earned a guaranteed starting position in the NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown on Jan. 29, 2011 at Toyota Speedway at Irwindale (Calif.)
The Sunoco World Series of Speedway Racing will air on VERSUS on Wednesday, Oct. 20 at 8 p.m.
Sources: Jason Cunningham/NASCAR WMT PR
RESULTS | LAP-BY-LAP RECAP | AUDIO: POST-RACE PRESS CONFERENCE WITH RACE WINNER TED CHRISTOPHER | POST-RACE PRESS CONFERENCE WITH TOUR CHAMPION BOBBY SANTOS
NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour-Sunoco World Series Unofficial Results
Sunday
At Thompson International Speedway
Thompson, Conn.
Lap length: 0.625 miles
(Start position in parentheses)
1. (3) Ted Christopher, Plainville, Conn., Chevrolet, 150 laps, 79.300 mph, $7,000.
2. (28) Ryan Preece, Berlin, Conn., Chevrolet, 150, $4,450.
3. (18) Doug Coby, Milford, Conn., Chevrolet, 150, $2,900.
4. (4) Mike Stefanik, Coventry, R.I., Pontiac, 150, $2,700.
5. (6) Ron Silk, Norwalk, Conn., Chevrolet, 150, $2,378.
6. (1) Bobby Santos, Franklin, Mass., Dodge, 150, $3,400.
7. (11) Eric Beers, Northampton, Pa., Chevrolet, 150, $2,100.
8. (17) Eric Goodale, Riverhead, N.Y., Chevrolet, 150, $2,200.
9. (5) Rowan Pennink, Huntingdon Valley, Pa., Chevrolet, 150, $1,750.
10. (9) James Civali, Meriden, Conn., Pontiac, 150, $1,650.
11. (29) Richie Pallai, Jr., Yorktown Heights, N.Y., Chevrolet, 150, $2,525.
12. (2) Eric Berndt, Cromwell, Conn., Chevrolet, 150, $1,200.
13. (21) Chuck Hossfeld, Ransomville, N.Y., Chevrolet, 150, $1,675.
14. (14) Burt Myers, Walnut Cove, N.C., Ford, 150, $1,150.
15. (8) Ed Flemke, Jr., Southington, Conn., Chevrolet, 150, $1,525.
16. (24) Glen Reen, Wilbraham, Mass., Chevrolet, 150, $1,475.
17. (27) Jamie Tomaino, Howell, N.J., Chevrolet, 150, $1,450.
18. (25) Ken Heagy, Calverton, N.Y., Ford, 150, $1,025.
19. (13) Erick Rudolph, Ransomville, N.Y., Chevrolet, 150, $1,500.
20. (15) Todd Szegedy, Ridgefield, Conn., Ford, 150, $1,475.
21. (20) Ron Yuhas, Jr., Groton, Conn., Chevrolet, 150, $950.
22. (19) Justin Bonsignore, Holtsville, N.Y., Chevrolet, 150, $1,350.
23. (16) Richard Savary, Canton, Mass., Chevrolet, 150, $950.
24. (22) Renee Dupuis, Glastonbury, Conn., Chevrolet, 150, $1,350.
25. (31) Gary McDonald, Ronkonkoma, N.Y., Pontiac, 147, $1,350.
26. (10) George Brunnhoelzl, III, W. Babylon, N.Y., Chevrolet, 112, engine, $1,350.
27. (30) Wade Cole, Riverton, Conn., Chevrolet, 108, suspension, $1,350.
28. (32) Jake Marosz, Middletown, Conn., Chevrolet, 75, suspension, $950.
29. (26) Glenn Tyler, Hampton Bays, N.Y., Chevrolet, 69, brakes, $1,350.
30. (12) Woody Pitkat, Stafford, Conn., Chevrolet, 65, oil leak, $1,350.
31. (7) Jimmy Blewett, Howell, N.J., Chevrolet, 60, accident, $1,350.
32. (23) Rob Summers, Vernon, Conn., Chevrolet, 27, suspension, $950.
Race Statistics
Time of Race: 1 hour 10 minutes 56 seconds
Margin of Victory: 0.321 seconds
Fastest Qualifier: B.Santos (120.263 mph, 18.709 seconds)
Caution Flags: 7 for 45 laps.
Lead Changes: 8 among 4 drivers.
Lap Leaders: E. Berndt 1-34; T. Christopher 35-37; E. Berndt 38; T. Christopher 39-53; E. Berndt 54-62; T. Christopher 63-76; R. Silk 77-121; D. Coby 122-146; T. Christopher 147-150.
Standings: 1. B. Santos, 2180; 2. M. Stefanik, 2153; 3. T. Christopher, 2102; 4. R. Silk, 2096; 5. T. Szegedy, 1957; 6. R. Preece, 1933; 7. E. Goodale, 1784; 8. E. Rudolph, 1753; 9. E. Beers, 1752; 10. C. Hossfeld, 1704.