PIT BOX: Seekonk Begins Busy Stretch for Whelen Modified Tour Teams

By admin May 27, 2019 NASCAR WMT, Seekonk, Thompson

In nine previous NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour races at Seekonk Speedway, nine different drivers have graced Victory Lane. And with only three drivers on the entry list for Saturday’s Seekonk 150 having previous winning success at the third-mile, it looks like another new winner could be ahead.

The sixth race of the Whelen Modified Tour season will see the return to Massachusetts, as Seekonk begins a busy stretch for teams, with two races over five days.

SEEKONK 150 AT SEEKONK SPEEDWAY

Justin Bonsignore is one driver in the field who has been to Victory Lane at Seekonk before. He dominated the Seekonk 150 last year, rolling to the win.

There was no doubt that the Holtsville, New York, driver had the speed to get the job done, as he was able to score the pole in qualifying and lead 100 laps. In his three stops at the historic third-mile, Bonsignore has finished sixth or better. But, off his dominant performance in Whelen Modified Tour action last year, where he won eight of 16 races, Bonsignore has just two finishes inside the top 10 and has two DNF’s so far this year. He will be hoping to steer things back in the right direction at one of the toughest facilities New England offers.

SeekonkDoug Coby and Timmy Solomito are the other two in the field with previous wins at Seekonk, but both of them are off to opposite starts this year. Coby has two victories in the first five races and has finished inside the top 10 in all of them while he chases a sixth championship. Solomito, who won the 2017 stop at Seekonk in the return to the oval for the first time in 11 years, only has a best finish of ninth this season.

Matt Hirschman, a part-time competitor on the Whelen Modified Tour, is certainly one of the early favorites to get the job done on Saturday. Hirschman is a former winner in Seekonk’s ‘Open Wheel Wednesday’ tour type modified event, and has shown plenty of speed at Seekonk in Whelen Modified Tour action, finishing seventh or better in the last three years, and starting on the front row twice.

With momentum on his side following a victory at Wall Stadium, Woody Pitkat looks to build on his fifth-place position in the championship standings, while Ron Silk and Jimmy Blewett look to continue their chase after Coby at the top.

Three of Seekonk’s NASCAR Whelen All-American Series divisions will also join the action, as the Sportsman, Late Models and Sport Trucks will compete in their third races of the season.

RACE FACTS

RACE SEEKONK 150
PLACE Seekonk Speedway, Seekonk, Massachusetts
DATE Saturday, June 1
TIME 8 p.m. (approx.)
TELEVISION FansChoice.TV, 8 p.m. (live streaming)
TRACK LAYOUT Third-mile oval
2018 WINNER Justin Bonsignore
2018 POLE Justin Bonsignore
EVENT SCHEDULE Garage Opens: 12:15 p.m., Final Practice: 2:30-3:50 p.m., Group Qualifying: 5:30 p.m., Seekonk 150: 8 p.m.
TWITTER @NASCARHomeTrack, @seekonkspeedway
HASHTAG #NWMT, #Seekonk150

RACE CENTER | ENTRY LIST | RACE INFORMATION

CREW CHIEF HANDOUT: 

The starting field for the Seekonk 150 is limited to 28 starters, including provisional positions. The first 22 drivers will secure starting positions through the qualifying process. The remaining six positions will be awarded through the provisional process.

NASCAR group qualifying is in place for this event. Qualifying order will be determined by each vehicle’s fastest single lap from the official practice session. The number of groups for qualifying will be determined by NASCAR. Each group qualifying session will be five (5) minutes in duration and the fastest single lap speed of each vehicle will determine starting positions 1st through 22nd. Adjustments or repairs may not be made on a vehicle after the vehicle enters the track to begin the qualifying session. Vehicles may not return to the track or make any further qualifying laps unless directed to do so by a NASCAR official or in the event of a caution. In the event of a caution, all vehicles must exit the track. Vehicles will proceed immediately to impound after making a qualifying attempt. Vehicles will be impounded after qualifying/inspection. Vehicle must qualify on race set up.

The maximum tire allotment available for this event is eight (8) tires per team. Four (4) tires must be used for qualifying and to begin the race. The tire change rule is zero (0) tires, any position.

MEDIA CENTER

Short Track Scene: Eric Bourgeois Teaching His Young Son, Evan, The Ins & Outs of Racing at Thompson Speedway |

RaceDayCT.com: Broken Back To Keep Dave Sapienza Out of Whelen Modified Tour Action Until At Least September | Justin Bonsignore Looks To Keep Streak Alive in Thompson 125

Seekonk Speedway: Ryan Vanasse Captures Early Season Pro Stock Win | Kyle Casper Leads Sportsman Feature From Start To Finish

NASCAR.com: Ken Heagy Coming Off Strong Run at Wall Stadium | Modified Powerhouses LFR and Troyer Plan To Combine Forces

Sources: Kyle Souza, NASCAR PR