Jimmy Zacharias to Drive BRE #3 at Spring Sizzler
One of the most successful cars in NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour history will return for the NAPA Auto Parts Spring Sizzler. Rookie Jimmy Zacharias of Candor, NY will pilot the Boehler Racing Enterprises (BRE) #3 at Stafford Motor Speedway on April 26-27.
” My dad and Michael (Boehler) just started talking and put the deal together,” Zacharias said. “… Hopefully all goes well and we can continue out the season on the tour and run for Rookie of the Year. I’ll also be at Chemung Speedrome on Friday nights defending my NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Modified championship.”
Zacharias will be driving for one of the most storied team’s in local Modified racing. The Boehler family has fielded a race car since 1957. Bugs Stevens became the first driver to win three consecutive national Modified championships in Lenny Boehler’s Ole Blue. Wayne Anderson captured the 1994 crown, while Tony Hirschman, Jr. captured back to back championships in 1995 and 1996. The inaugural Spring Sizzler was won by the late Fred DeSarro in 1972.
“It’s awesome ,” Zacharias said. “I’m so thankful that they allowed me an opportunity. The car and team have been around Modified racing for a very long time. And the car has a great deal of success over the years with some great Modified drivers behind the wheel.”
Zacharias is hopeful that his sponsors will provide financial support to the BRE team. The BRE crew will work on the car, with possibly some of Zacharias’ crew members assisting.
Zacharias recorded his first top-10 finish in only his fourth NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour start at the Icebreaker.
“Thompson was filled with ups and downs,” Zacharias said. “Had brake troubles early on in the race and went a lap down but the crew and driver never gave up and worked under cautions to get the brakes a little better and I got back on the lead lap and drove her to 10th. A couple more laps and we probably would of finished eighth. (I) was a little bit better at the end than (Ryan) Preece and Teddy (Christopher), but a top 10 was great for the day!”
Thusfar in 2014, Zacharias has been steady. He finished sixth in the inaugural Koma Unwind Modified race at Hickory. He had three top 10s in six races during Speedweeks at New Smyrna, with a best finish of second. He also competed at Daytona’s NASCAR WMT race.
Zacharias purchased a new car last season with a fresh Bob Bruneau engine that had two races on it. Zacharias planned to compete in the first three to four races of the Whelen Modified schedule, with the possibility to run full-time and contend for the Rookie of the Year award.
Zacharias is unsure if he will attend any Koma Unwind series races, citing the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour schedule. Zacharias intends to compete in the Tri-Track Series races at Lee USA, Star and Seekonk with his own car.
Zacharias’ car is owned by Terry, Gina, and Jim Zacharias. Insigner Race Fuels, FSR Radiators, Chris Reisdorf Racing Graphics, Bulldog Rear Ends, Sweet Manufacturing, Floyd’s Used Clothing, Troyer Race Cars, RCR Contracting, Vista-pro Automotive, Buckley’s Automotive, Wilbur Auto Sales, Central States Used Clothing and Tito Juice provide sponsorship for the team. Zacharis Brothers Motorsports crew members are Terry Zacharias, TJ Zacharias, Nick White, Matt Clemens, Corey Mosher, Moose Rutheford, Josh Sinsabaugh, Chris Clemens, Michael Odwanzny, Jason Sechrist and Steve Tito.
He attended the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series banquet last year as the Sunoco Modified champion at Chemung and the NASCAR New York State champion. He won 13 races last season at Chemung, Dunn Tire Raceway Park, Holland, Shangri La II and Mountain. He also competed at Riverhead, Mahoning Valley and select races on the NASCAR Whelen Modified and Southern Modified tours.
“The banquet is an absolute awesome way of NASCAR showing us their appreciation for us weekly short track grass root racers,” Zacharias said. “The trophies, along with everything else are top notch. It’s an awesome time in Charlotte and gives you the opportunity to meet some people from all across the states and have a good time discussing all types of racing.”
Sources: Nicholas Teto/YankeeRacer.com