MIKE STEFANIK WINS NASCAR WHELEN MODIFIED TOUR OPENER
Mark Mockovac
• Thompson International Speedway
MIKE STEFANIK WINS NASCAR WHELEN MODIFIED TOUR OPENER
THOMPSON, Conn. (April 9, 2006) – Mike Stefanik of Coventry, R.I. held off a determined last lap challenge by Chuck Hossfeld of Buffalo, N.Y. to win Icebreaker 2006 at Thompson International Speedway. It was the 67th career NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour victory for the six time champion who leads the series in all time victories. It was also the second career Icebreaker win for Stefanik who won this event in 1998.
Stefanik took the lead from Hossfeld on lap 127. Ted Christopher moved to second and applied the pressure before Hossfeld regained second on lap 140. Hossfeld then chased Stefanik to the finish line with the pair both sideways coming off of Turn 4 on the final lap.
“That was a heck of a battle,” said Stefanik. “It’s great to be back in victory lane and it’s a great way to start the season.”
Finishing third behind Stefanik and Hossfeld was Reggie Ruggiero who started 20th. Ruggiero was also in striking distance at the checkered flag making it a three car blanket finish. Ted Christopher came from the 17th position to finish fourth. Defending NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Champion Tony Hirschman rounded out the Top-5
The next event for the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour is the Spring Sizzler at Stafford Motor Speedway in Stafford Springs, Conn. On April 30th.
THOMPSON, Conn. -- Unofficial results of the Icebreaker 2006 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour race at Thompson International Speedway showing starting position in parentheses, driver, hometown, make of car, laps completed, winner’s average speed, reason out if any and money won.
1. (9) Mike Stefanik, Coventry R.I., Chevrolet, 150, 66.437 mph, $6,700
2. (11) Chuck Hossfeld, Buffalo N.Y., Pontiac, 150, $3,900
3. (20) Reggie Ruggiero, Rocky Hill Conn., Chevrolet, 150, $2,700
4. (17) Ted Christopher, Plainville Conn., Chevrolet, 150, $3,100
5. (10) Tony Hirschman, Northampton Pa., Chevrolet, 150, $3,100
6. (26) James Civali, Meriden Conn., Chevrolet, 150, $2,000
7. (6) Mike Andrews, Jr, East Quogue N.Y., Chevrolet, 150, $1,400
8. (23) Jamie Tomaino, Howell N.J., Ford, 150, $2,000
9. (36) Dick Houlihan, Bridgewater Mass., Chevrolet, 150, $2,050
10. (29) Jon McKennedy, Chelsford Mass., Chevrolet, 150, $1,100
11. (8) Ronnie Silk, Norwalk Conn., Chevrolet, 149, $1,075
12. (37) Wade Cole, Riverton Conn., Chevrolet, 149, $1,070
13. (27) Ken Bouchard, Fitchburg Mass., Chevrolet, 146, $1,065
14. (35) Mike Christopher, Plainville Conn., Chevrolet, 145, $1,460
15. (3) Donny Lia, Jericho N.Y., Chevrolet, 144, $1,855
16. (32) Doug Coby, Milford Conn., Pontiac, 143, $1,850
17. (13) Todd Szegedy, Ridgefield Conn., Ford, 143, $1,000
18. (7) Eddie Flemke, Southington Conn., Chevrolet, 142, $1,675
19. (33) Dave Etheridge, Portland Conn., Chevrolet, 140, $1,650
20. (4) Jimmy Blewett, Howell N.J., Chevrolet, 137, $1,325
21. (18) Eric Beers, Northampton Pa., Chevrolet, 135, $1,700
22. (12) Anthony Sesley, Matawan N.J., Chevrolet, 128, $850
23. (22) Ron Yuhas, Groton Conn., Chevrolet, 115, $825
24. (30) Rob Summers, Manchester Conn., Pontiac, 112, $1,100
25. (24) Jimmy Storace, Kingston N.H., Chevrolet, 107, Engine, $1,490
26. (34) Renee Dupuis, Glastonbury Conn., Chevrolet, 103, Accident, $1,480
27. (31) Rick Fuller, Auburn Mass., Chevrolet, 99, Accident, $1,470
28. (5) Zach Sylvester, Lebanon Conn., Chevrolet, 99, Accident, $1,560
29. (28) Ken Barry, Griswold Conn., Chevrolet, 98, Accident, $1,450
30. (21) Eric Berndt, Rocky Hill Conn., Chevrolet, 98, Accident, $750
31. (15) Danny Sammons, Trenton N.J., Chevrolet, 85, Accident, $750
32. (2) Steve Whitt, Farmingdale N.J., Dodge, 67, Ignition, $1,450
33. (1) Jerry Marquis, Broad Brook Conn., Dodge, 46, Accident, $2,000
34. (14) Kevin Goodale, Riverhead N.Y., Chevrolet, 45, Engine, $1,450
35. (25) Matt Hirschman, Northampton Pa., Dodge, 44, Engine, $1,150
36. (16) John Blewett, III, Howell N.J., Chevrolet, 8, Accident, $1,150
37. (19) Glen Tyler, Hampton Bays N.Y., Chevrolet, 8, Accident, $750
Failed to Qualify: (9) Joseph Mongeau (#49), Ken Heagy * (#38), Chris Pasteryak * (#5), Tommy Cloce (#69), Carl Pasteryak (#75), Joseph Hartmann * (#05), Jake Marosz (#9), Dennis Charette (#03), Thomas Bolles (#76).
Time of Race: 1 hrs., 24 mins, 40 secs Average Speed: 66.437 mph Margin of Victory: .16 Seconds
BUD POLE AWARD: Jerry Marquis, 4 Reynolds Auto Wrecking Dodge
FEATHERLITE MOST IMPROVED DRIVER AWARD: Ted Christopher, 13 AWD/DWD/JAT/TSI Chevrolet
POWERADE POWER MOVE OF THE RACE: Dick Houlihan, 46 Crossroads RV Center/Viveiros Insurance Chevrolet
Caution Flags: Laps 9-14; 47-54; 77-83; 93-98; 100-103; 104-110; 116-120. 7 for 43 laps.
Lap Leaders: Jerry Marquis 1-46, Steve Whitt 47-53, Donny Lia 54-78, Chuck Hossfeld 79-126, Mike Stefanik 127-150.
Total Laps Led: Chuck Hossfeld 48, Jerry Marquis 46, Donny Lia 25, Mike Stefanik 24, Steve Whitt 7. 4 changes involving 5 drivers.
Top 20 Driver Points: Mike Stefanik 180, Chuck Hossfeld 170, Reggie Ruggiero 165, Ted Christopher 160, Tony Hirschman 155, James Civali * 150, Mike Andrews, Jr * 146, Jamie Tomaino 142, Dick Houlihan 138, Jon McKennedy * 134, Ronnie Silk * 130, Wade Cole 127, Ken Bouchard 124, Mike Christopher 121, Donny Lia 118, Doug Coby 115, Todd Szegedy 112, Eddie Flemke 109, Dave Etheridge 106, Jimmy Blewett 103
Next Race: Stafford Springs, Conn.
*Denotes Sunoco Rookie of the Year Contender
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