Bonsignore Earns Sixth Straight Thompson Win in Whelen Modified Series

Posted by Wayne G. Barber and Photo by Wayne G. Barber

The NASCAR Whelen Modified Series made stop number two of four to Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park on Wednesday June 5 once again bringing the best modified drivers in the country to the nation’s oldest paved racing oval. The main event contained several storylines with NASCAR Monster Energy Cup Series Rookie of the Year contender Ryan Preece returning to his roots in the modifies and the series’ two most recent champions seeking to continue their respective dominant performances at the Big-T.

Championship points leader Doug Coby looked to return to victory lane at a track he dominated few short years ago earning four consecutive series titles in the process. However, the heavy favorite was defending champion Justin Bonsignore who sought to increase his record setting winning streak at Thompson to six after sweeping all four races in 2018 and winning the Icebreaker in April. Bonsignore paced practice while Coby earned his fourth pole of the season putting the two favorites at the front of the field to start the event.

Surprisingly neither driver turned out to be the show stealer in the early goings as they were both overpowered by Craig Lutz who took the lead on lap 13 and led past halfway. By lap 77 Bonsignore made up the gap and found himself within striking distance of the lead. Bonsignore finally completed the pass on lap 86 and used lap traffic to his advantage to stretch his lead. A red flag scenario 26 laps from the finish bunched the field up and brought pit strategy into the equation. While Jon McKennedy beat Bonsignore out of the pits Bonsignore got the jump he needed on the restart taking the lead for the final time and storming to his sixth consecutive series win at the Big-T.

“At this point even after last year we won the four and we wondered who was going to come out next year and have better cars than us. You have to manage expectations and I think we’ve been doing a good job of that. You know you’re not going to win all of these races in a row but if you put yourself in position to have a shot that’s all you can ask for. At some point the streak will come to an end – When you get into situations like this you know how to handle your expectations and not let your emotions get too high or too low,” Bonsignore said after his win.

Doug Coby used fresh tires to finish in the runner-up position while Craig Lutz settled for third, Burt Myers fourth and Ron Silk in fifth. Ryan Preece had trouble finding speed all race long in his return to the Whelen Modified Tour relegating him to a 14th place finish. Source: Jason Bleau

NASCAR WHELEN MODIFIED TOUR THOMPSON 125 FINISH TOP-10: 1. Justin Bonsignore; 2. Doug Coby; 3. Craig Lutz; 4. Burt Myers; 5. Ron Silk; 6. Eric Goodale; 7. Matt Swanson; 8. Sam Rameau; 9. Max Zachem; 10. Woody Pitkat