 Erick Rudolph was just looking to finish a race. What he
wound up with was a history-making victory. Rudolph’s first career NASCAR
Whelen Modified Tour win Sunday in the Spencer Speedway 155 made him the
youngest winner in tour history.
At 17 years, 6 months, 3 days, the Ransomville, N.Y., driver
eclipsed the mark set by Ryan Preece last year. Preece was 17 years, 10
months, 25 days when he won at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway .
After failing to finish each of the first four races of the season,
Rudolph led the final 48 laps Sunday and withstood a furious charge from
Todd Szegedy on the final lap to claim the victory. On the last lap, Szegedy
got by Chuck Hossfeld for second and had the nose of his car nearly up to
Rudolph’s front tire as they crossed the finish line. The scheduled 125-lap
event was extended to 131 by a green-white-checkered finish.
Hossfeld followed on Rudolph’s bumper for third. Rowan Pennink and
Ryan Preece rounded out the top five.
Donny Lia, Mike Stefanik, Eric Goodale, Ron Silk and points leader
Ted Christopher completed the top 10.
Earlier in the day, Szegedy and Christopher won the two 15-lap heat
races that set the feature lineup. Rudolph, who was fastest in practice,
finished 12th out of 14 cars in his heat.
Szegedy led a race-high 60 laps before being forced to pit for a
flat tire on lap 80. He was able to cut Christopher’s point lead to 17.
The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour returns to the track Aug. 1 at
Riverhead (N.Y.) Raceway.
NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour-Spencer Speedway 155
Results
Saturday At Spencer Speedway, Williamson , N.Y.
Lap length: 0.5 miles
(Start position in
parentheses)
1. (23) Erick Rudolph, Ransomville , N.Y. , Chevrolet, 131 laps, 54.952
mph, $5,000.
2. (2) Todd Szegedy, Ridgefield , Conn. , Ford, 131, $2,200.
3. (17) Chuck Hossfeld, Ransomville , N.Y. , Chevrolet, 131, $1,700.
4. (12) Rowan Pennink, Huntingdon Valley , Pa. , Chevrolet, 131, $1,650.
5. (6) Ryan Preece, Berlin , Conn. , Chevrolet, 131, $1,550.
6. (7) Donny Lia, Jericho , N.Y. , Dodge, 131, $1,450.
7. (3) Mike Stefanik, Coventry , R.I. , Pontiac , 131,
$1,350.
8. (13) Eric Goodale, Riverhead, N.Y., Chevrolet, 131, $1,600.
9. (9) Ron Silk, Norwalk , Conn. , Pontiac , 131, $1,250.
10. (1) Ted Christopher, Plainville , Conn. , Chevrolet, 131,
$1,800.
11. (11) Bobby Grigas, III, Marshfield , Mass. , Chevrolet, 131, $1,150.
12. (21) Glenn Tyler, Hampton Bays , N.Y. , Chevrolet, 131, $1,025.
13. (5) Woody Pitkat, Stafford , Conn. , Chevrolet, 131, $925.
14. (15) Chris Pasteryak, Lisbon , Conn. , Chevrolet, 131, $875.
15. (22) Buck Catalano, Ontario , N.Y. , Chevrolet, 131, $830.
16. (26) Gary McDonald, Ronkonkoma , N.Y. , Pontiac , 130, $600.
17. (14) Glen Reen, Wilbraham , Mass. , Chevrolet, 122, radiator, $975.
18. (16) Ken Heagy, Calverton , N.Y. , Chevrolet, 122, $725.
19. (8) Eric Beers, Northampton , Pa. , Chevrolet, 121, $700.
20. (10) Ed Flemke, Jr., Southington , Conn. , Chevrolet, 118, $700.
21. (20) Danny Knoll, Jr., Buffalo , N.Y. , Chevrolet, 110, $500.
22. (4) Jimmy Blewett, Howell , N.J. , Chevrolet, 110,
suspension, $700.
23. (18) Johnny Bush, Huntington Station , N.Y. , Chevrolet, 96, rear end,
$500.
24. (24) Wade Cole, Riverton , Conn. , Chevrolet, 59, suspension, $700.
25. (19) Doug Coby, Milford , Conn. , Chevrolet, 27, suspension, $700.
26. (25) Renee Dupuis, Glastonbury , Conn. , Chevrolet, 8, transmission,
$500.
Race Statistics
Time of Race: 1 hour 11 minutes 31 seconds
Margin of Victory: .054 seconds
Fastest Qualifier: C. Pasteryak ( mph, 999999 seconds)
Caution Flags: 12 for 55 laps.
Lead Changes: 10 among 4 drivers.
Lap Leaders: T. Szegedy 1-6; T. Christopher 7; T. Szegedy 8-23; T.
Christopher 24-40; T. Szegedy 41-48; T. Christopher 49; T. Szegedy 50-60; T.
Christopher 61; T. Szegedy 62-80; R. Preece 81-83; E. Rudolph 84-131.
Standings: 1. T. Christopher, 819; 2. T. Szegedy, 802; 3. D. Lia,
763; 4. M. Stefanik, 706; 5. R. Preece, 705; 6. R. Pennink, 689; 7. R. Silk,
686; 8. J. Blewett, 664; 9. W. Pitkat, 656; 10. E. Flemke,Jr., 649.
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