Yuhas Set for Mod Tour Debut this Weekend : RacingJunk News

Yuhas Set for Mod Tour Debut this Weekend

Groton, CT: This weekend will begin the 2006 season for the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour. It will also mark the start of a new phase in the career of Ron Yuhas, Jr. of Groton, CT. The talented young driver is poised to make his Modified Tour debut this weekend when the famed NASCAR Touring division kicks off the season at the Thompson International Speedway.

?We have been preparing for this all winter," said Yuhas. "My team and I are excited to get the season started. This is a dream come true for all of us and we are going to give it everything that we have."

Yuhas is one of the six drivers that are expected to vie for "Rookie-of-the-Year" honors this season.

In preparation for the opening event, Yuhas joined 21 other Modified Tour teams that practiced at Thompson two weeks ago. After running nearly 100-laps, Yuhas was very comfortable in his new ride.

"I had never driven a Tour car before the practice," continued Yuhas. "The seat time was real important. "

The rookie made good use of the practice time; recording lap times consistent with front-runners like Donny Lia, Todd Szegedy, John Blewett III, Jerry Marquis and others.

"My car was very good and I felt pretty comfortable," said Yuhas. "We had an issue with the brakes in the early rounds of practice but I believe that we have that solved now."

All around the session was a positive experience that should prove to be helpful to Yuhas as he vies for a coveted spot in the first Tour event of the season. Over 45 cars are registered for this weekend's event making the task even more challenging for the young crop of rookies.

"I am glad to be kicking off the season at a track like Thompson where I have some experience," added Yuhas, who competed at the facility for two full-seasons in the Sunoco Modified division. With three career victories to his credit at Thompson in his relatively short career, the young driver knows his way around the racetrack.

The preparation for the season did not stop at the practice at Thompson. Last weekend, Yuhas competed in the Bud Nationals 150 for the SK Modifieds at the Waterford Speedbowl in the Chris Perkins owned #49.

After battling for many laps with Jimmy Blewett for the lead, mechanical woes sidelined Yuhas late in the race; ending his bid for victory. Yuhas was running third at the time.

"We had a great racecar at Waterford," said Yuhas. "I am happy that we ran this well but disappointed for Chris and the whole team. We had a car capable of winning."

But all was not lost for Yuhas, who saw this as an excellent tune-up for the opener at Thompson.

"During my SK career we had limited opportunities to run extra-distance races," added Yuhas. "The race at Waterford not only helped me with my stamina but it also gave me the opportunity to run an extended amount of laps with the Hans device on. It is important for me to be comfortable when I get in my own car and last weekend went a long way in helping me accomplish that."

Bud Pole qualifying for the Icebreaker 150 for the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour at Thompson International Speedway is scheduled for 2:45 pm on Saturday, April 8 to determine positions 1-32. The green flag will fall on the main event on Sunday at approximately 4:45 PM.

"We just need the weather to hold out so that we have the opportunity to qualify," continued a hopeful Yuhas.

For a complete rundown of the weekend's events visit www.thompsonspeedway.com.