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8/31/2009
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RACE FOR
WHELEN MODIFIED TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP
HEATS UP THIS THURSDAY |
With only five races remaining on the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour 2009
schedule, the competition for that division’s championship is really heating
up. Defending champion, Ted Christopher, will enter the Budweiser 150
presented by the New England Dodge Dealers at the Thompson Speedway this
Thursday night with a slim 29 point advantage over Todd Szegedy. Ryan Preece
finds himself only three points behind Szegedy.
The extremely competitive Whelen Modified Tour (WMT) finds itself
in a very familiar position with regard to the race for the title. Virtually
every year, the lucrative championship honors are not determined until very
late in the season if not at the final event of the year at Thompson. This
Thursday’s running of the Bud 150 at Thompson will play a vital role in
determining the outcome of the title chase for 2009.
Christopher has maintained the points lead for most of the season.
He gave it up briefly to Szegedy but roared back to put himself at the top
once again. Szegedy, however, is one tough customer and has the 2003 title
to his credit and finished 2nd in 2007 and 3rd last year in the final
standings.
The dark horse in what may appear to be a two-man race is Ryan
Preece. The eighteen year old driver from Berlin, CT has won two of the last
four WMT events and is a mere 32 points away from Christopher. Preece has
positioned himself to be a real contender for the prestigious crown. Other
drivers in the top five in points are the 2007 champ, Donny Lia and one of
the busiest drivers in the northeast, Rowan Pennink. The title will not be
settled this Thursday, but the Bud 150 at Thompson is sure to play a major
role in determining the eventual winner.
The WMT will be joined by Thompson’s own NASCAR Whelen All American
Race Series divisions in their features only presentation. Those races will
be preceded by time trials for the WMT. It all gets underway at 5:30 PM.
Grandstands will open at 2 PM.
For more information and the complete schedule for the day, fans
are urged to visit the Thompson web site
www.thompsonspeedway.com. Advance ticket sales are available by
calling the track office at 860-923-2280.
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Source: Russ Dowd
/ Thompson International Speedway
Posted: August
31, 2009 |
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