Another Stout NASCAR Modified Field Preparing for White Mountain Showdown
N. Woodstock, NH — The biggest names of the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour (NWMT) are once again coming to N. Woodstock, NH’s White Mountain Motorsports Park this Saturday, August 1 at 5:30pm. The entry list for the White Mountain Showdown 200 features many of the same top drivers who went at it on Independence Day, and with nearly 30 teams already entered, another outstanding show is almost certainly in the cards.
For most of the field, the July 4 event was their first trip to the scenic quarter-mile bullring. Not surprisingly, the cream rose to the top, with podium finishers Justin Bonsignore, Matt Hirschman, and Doug Coby combining for countless Modified wins and championships. Now that each team and driver has an event’s worth of notes to work with, some new names could emerge as serious contenders.
Still, after two events in the 2020 NASCAR Modified season, everyone is chasing Holtsville, NY’s Bonsignore. The 2018 NWMT Champion is 2-for-2 after getting around Hirschman following some contact late in the Independence Day 200. Not surprisingly, that perfect record places Bonsignore atop the point standings. Hirschsman’s plans for Saturday are unknown as of press time.
Milford, CT’s Coby, meanwhile, continues to make strides as an owner-driver. As the winner of six of the last eight NASCAR Modified championships, it is no surprise Coby would get up to speed fast in his own equipment. He sits fourth in the standings, and a win at White Mountain would put his quest for a seventh NWMT championship into high gear.
Other top runners are looking to improve after performing below their lofty standards in the first White Mountain visit. While multi-time Modified Racing Series (MRS) champion Jon McKennedy, number-three point driver Craig Lutz, and former Stafford Motor Speedway Champion Woody Pitkat all scored top-10 finishes, they hope to be serious factors for the win this time around. Meanwhile, Matt Swanson, Ronnie Silk, and Rob Summers are aiming to bounce back after getting felled by crashes or mechanical failures last time out.
On the flip side, some drivers who made a statement on Independence Day could ride that momentum to a win. Youngster Tommy Catalano earned his first top-5 finish with the NASCAR Modifieds last time out at White Mountain. Ageless veteran Dave Sapienza was impressive in the event while two-time MRS Champion Chris Pasteryak looked as close as he’s ever been to his first NWMT victory. Eric Goodale, Patrick Emerling, and Kyle Bonsignore are just some of the other notables that fans can expect to roll into the pits this Saturday.
A full card of action is also scheduled for the track’s Foley Oil & Propane Late Models, Wells River Chevrolet Flying Tigers, and 7-Eleven Dwarf Cars. At the season’s halfway point, the Late Models have a close battle going for the “King of the Mountains” title. St. Johnsbury, VT’s Stacy Cahoon and Groveton, NH’s Quinny Welch, who have combined for 13 track championships, are currently 1-2 at the top just four points apart.
However, fellow veteran Oren Remick of Monroe, NH — who’s still looking for his first Late Model title — is breathing down their necks. Young guns Matthew Morrill, Christian Laflamme, and Joel Hodgdon aren’t far behind as they get ready for the stretch run.
In this Flying Tigers, Hardwick’s Jaden Perry is holding off two-time defending champion Shane Sicard of Barton, VT. Although Sicard has three wins to Perry’s one, the latter has finished in the top-4 of every feature. That consistent excellence has helped Perry out-point the division’s reigning king to date. Should either stumble, veteran Michael Clark and rookie Kasey Beattie are ready to pounce.
The 7-Eleven Dwarf Car division has been led by Wyman Motorsports so far this year. Easton, NH’s Jason Wyman and St. Johnsbury’s Colby Bourgeois have combined to win all three point-counting events. Along with their teammate Dave Gyger, the trio swept the podium last Saturday night. Tommy Smithers managed to interrupt the dominance with a victory in a non-point Open event two weeks ago.
The action begins Saturday, August 1 at 5:30pm with qualifying for the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour. Heat races for local divisions will follow with the White Mountain Showdown 200 going green at approximately 7:00pm. Feature events for the Late Models, Flying Tigers, and Dwarf Cars wrap up the program.
Advance tickets and camping reservations for the White Mountain Showdown 2000 are available at https://happsnow.com/event/White-Mountain-Motorsports-Park.
Admission is $30 for adults and $5 for kids ages 12 and under. Attendance will be limited to 50% of capacity per New Hampshire state guidelines. NBC Sports TrackPass will have a live pay-per-view broadcast of the NASCAR Modified feature for those with a monthly or yearly subscription.
For more information, contact the White Mountain Motorsports Park offices at (802) 244-6963, media@acttour.com, or visit www.whitemountainmotorsports.com. You can also follow us on Facebook at @WhiteMtnMotorsports.
Sources: ACT PR
Top NASCAR Modified racers from throughout the Northeast such as Bellingham, MA’s Woody Pitkat will return to White Mountain Motorsports Park this Saturday, August 1. (Mark Alan Sumner photo)