NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Title on the Line at Sunoco World Series
Thompson, CT — The 2020 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour championship will be decided this Sunday, October 11 with the Sunoco World Series 150 at Connecticut’s Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park. The final race of the 58th Annual Sunoco World Series of Speedway Racing will tie a bow on the tour’s 36th season with two modern greats battling for the title.
The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour schedule took several unexpected turns this year due to the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic. Several venues had to be dropped while new ones were added in a constant shuffle. Despite it all, the season draws to a close with two familiar sights: a trip to Thompson for the Sunoco World Series, and Justin Bonsignore and Doug Coby in the hunt for a championship.
LOUDON, N.H. – A wild finish featuring a mind-blowing 20 lead changes in the last 20 laps, Bobby Santos III found a way to keep points leader Justin Bonsignore in his rearview mirror for the last few turns to earn a hard-fought checkered flag at the Musket 200 presented by Whelen Saturday afternoon during the third annual Full Throttle Fall Weekend, earning his sixth win at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Wayne Helliwell Jr. won the ACT 75 while Shaun Buffington won both Granite State Legends Cars events.
Santos hung back in the pack until lap 167 when he slingshot around a trio of frontrunners going into turn three and pulled a similar move a few turns later to take the lead, setting up a thrilling string of lead changes with Bonsignore. The two traded the lead 20 times over 20 laps; Bonsignore dominating turn three and Santos showing how to pass going into turn one. Over and over they traded places, with Ron Silk briefly nudging his way into second, with four laps remaining. Bonsignore took the spot back, but not before Santos took advantage and drove just far enough away from the other leaders to keep from being caught before the checkered flag waved.
Silk Gets Late Break for Win in Thompson 150 Barnburner
Thompson, CT — Norwalk, CT’s Ron Silk had both the fast car and good fortune he needed to triumph over a stout NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour field in a wild and wooly Thompson 150 at Connecticut’s Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park on Thursday, September 3.
Silk was handed the lead under caution on lap 149 when NASCAR Cup Series invader Ryan Preece ran out of fuel. The veteran Silk then held off point leader Justin Bonsignore on a green-white-checkered overtime finish to capture his 14th career Whelen Modified Tour victory and put an end to Bonsignore’s grip on the historic speedway.
Divisions and Other Information Announced for Thompson Event on September 2
Waterbury, VT and Naples, ME — The American-Canadian Tour (ACT) and the Pro All Stars Series (PASS) have announced the divisions, start times, and pricing for the Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park season opener on Wednesday, September 2. The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour headlines a five-division card with the first green flag flying at 5:00pm.
The Thompson 150 will be the 147th visit for the NASCAR Modifieds in the touring era (1985-present), more than any other race track. All the biggest stars of the Whelen Modified Tour are expected to be in attendance, including current point leader Justin Bonsignore, six-time and defending champion Doug Coby, and former Thompson Speedway winner Timmy Solomito.
LOUDON, N.H. – Brad Keselowski battled Mother Nature, fuel mileage and Denny Hamlin, but came out victorious against all three at the Foxwoods Resort Casino 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on Sunday.
New England’s first major sporting event with fans since the start of the pandemic was briefly paused by a rain shower early in the second stage, but the delay didn’t deter excited race fans – and Keselowski didn’t disappoint, leading a race-high 184 laps and holding off Hamlin for the win.
“We’ve had a lot of great races this year with the No. 2 car and we just haven’t really gone out and dominated a race, you know?” Keselowski said. “I was talking to (crew chief) Jeremy Bullins and said that’s what we really need to get to that next level. We’re right there. We just need to go out there and dominate a race; that’s what today was for us.”
BRAD KESELOWSKI, No. 2 Western Star/Alliance Parts Ford Mustang — VICTORY LANE INTERVIEW
WHAT KIND OF STATEMENT WAS THAT TODAY? “We’ve had a lot of great races this year with the 2 car, but we just haven’t really went out and kind of dominated a race. Talking to Jeremy Bullins and like, ‘Man, what do we need to get to that next level? We’re right there. We need to go out and just dominate a race,’ and that’s what today was for us with the Western Star/Alliance Parts Ford Mustang. I’m really proud of my team and the effort that they gave today. A great race car and to all of Team Penske, thank you. Its so great to be racing back in front of fans again. It feels like forever, so welcome back, guys.”
