Super Sweep: Seuss Aces Caraway for Third Consecutive Win
SOPHIA, NC – The NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour opened its tenth anniversary season at Caraway Speedway on Sunday afternoon. Andy Seuss of Hampstead, NH scored his fourth win in the last five races after pacing all practices, taking the pole and leading all 150 laps. Defending champion George Brunnhoelzl, III finished second, while JR Bertuccio, Burt Myers, and Jason Myers rounded out the top five.
Seuss has reached his apogee in the last 19 races with five wins, 11 top fives and 16 top 10s. His third consecutive Caraway win placed him one shy of series record holder George Brunnhoelzl, III.
The Late Models were first out and did not disappoint with a photo finish between veteran Robert Tyler and youngster Dillon Bassett. However, the Modifieds were scheduled show everyone was waiting for was a little later in the afternoon.
[Photo Gallery] by Brad Newman
Andy Seuss and JR Bertuccio led the Southern Tour to the green flag. The early part of the race was surprisingly calm in the 19-car field. There was an obvious showing of strength by Seuss and Bertuccio as they pulled away from the rest of the pack by a straightaway. Brunnhoelzl and Bohn ran in positions three and four until the halfway break. Burt Myers started deep in the pack and worked his way into the top 10 during this 75-lap run as he sat seventh. Brother Jason sat fifth at the halfway break. All cars except Calabrese (mechanical) were running on lap 76.
After the halfway break, teams could adjust their car and swap tires. Seuss and Bertuccio once again led the field to the green. The final stint saw drivers give and take. The action for fourth place heated up on lap 120. Danny Bohn and JR Bertuccio battled it out for almost 10 laps. Bohn and Bertuccio swapped lanes multiple times before Bertuccio prevailed and walked away from the small pack. Bohn was heavy under fire from the Myers family, which both succeeded in passing him as he finished sixth.
The NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour visit Southern National Motorsports Park in Lucama, NC on March 15. After taking home maximum points (48), Seuss will look to make it five wins in six starts. Seuss won the last race at Southern National in October.
Sources: Brad Newman/YankeeRacer.com