DAYTONA BEACH, Fla.
(April, 5 2005)
– The opening round of the 2005 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour
season – the 21st year of racing for this legendary series –
is just days away as the stars of NASCAR’s oldest open
wheeled touring series ready for the April 10 Icebreaker at
Thompson (Conn.) International Speedway.
Twenty years has passed
since the series birth on March 31, 1985. That event, the
1985 Icebreaker, was the first time NASCAR’s first division
competed in a touring series format. Rick Fuller, the
1993 series champion and driver of the No. 1 Polar Beverages
Chevrolet, was at that initial event.
“It’s amazing how big this
series has become,” said Fuller. “No one knew what to expect
for this series. The events at Thompson alone have grown
unbelievably over the years.”
Jamie Tomaino,
the 1990 series champion, was another driver who competed at
the series first race.
“Things have really changed
since that Icebreaker in 1985,” said Tomaino driver of the
No. 99 Perth Amboy Springs Chevrolet. “Back then there were
a handful of teams capable of winning now the number is much
greater.”
And after twenty years the
series welcomes a new sponsor, Whelen Engineering, and
begins a new era at Thompson.
Thompson has hosted 82
Whelen Modified Tour events since 1985. The 150-lap race is
scheduled to start at approximately 3:00 p.m. on Sunday,
April 4. Bud Pole qualifying is scheduled for Saturday,
April 3 at 2:45 p.m. Drivers will be trying to eclipse the
track record of 18.505 seconds (121.215 mph) set by Bob
Polverari in 2001.
The Icebreaker will be the
first of four series races at Thompson during the 2005
season.
The 2004 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour
Champion, Tony Hirschman, of Northampton, Pa., will
defend his series’ title behind the wheel of the No. 48
KAMCO Supply Chevrolet. A host of drivers are ready to
replace Hirschman as series champion.
Eddie Flemke,
runner-up in 2004, will make his debut with Gary Teto racing
at the Icebreaker. Defending Icebreaker winner Ted
Christopher is hoping the 2005 season will bring him his
first series title. Former series champion Jerry Marquis
is hoping to bring car owner Bob Garbarino his first title
in 2005.
Chuck
Hossfeld, Donny Lia and John Blewett, III are all hoping
the 2005 season will bring them their first crown.
ICEBREAKER 2005 NOTES
-
Posted awards are
$77,973 for the 150-lap race. Bud Pole qualifying is
scheduled for 2:45 pm on Saturday, April 9 to determine
positions 1-33. Four provisional starting positions (two
owner & two driver) based on 2004 Whelen Modified Tour
point Standings and one past champion provisional are
available for a maximum starting field of 38 cars.
-
The Icebreaker will
start at approximately 3:00 pm on Sunday, April 10.
-
Ted Christopher is the
defending champion of the Icebreaker.
-
Several other drivers
currently competing on the series have scored icebreaker
wins. They are: Chuck Hossfeld (2203) Tony Hirschman
(1990), Mike Ewanitsko (1988,1999), Rick Fuller (1991,
1997, 2001), Jerry Marquis (2002) and Mike Stefanik
(1998).
-
Featherlite Trailers,
the former title sponsor of the Modified Tour, remains
involved with the Tour through its Featherlite “Most
Improved Driver” award. This special award will be
presented at each race in 2005, and is determined by the
driver who improves the most number of positions
compared to their finish in the previous race. For the
season-opening event, the Featherlite “Most Improved
Driver” award at the Icebreaker will be determined by a
comparison to last season’s final race. The award winner
at each race receives a $300 bonus.
-
Thompson International
Speedway has hosted more Whelen Modified Tour races than
any other speedway. There have been 82 series events at
Thompson since 1985 including the first series race on
March 31, 1985.
-
Drivers currently
competing in the series who raced at the 1985 Icebreaker
are: Ken Bouchard, Jan Leaty, Rick Fuller, Carl
Pasteryak and Jamie Tomaino.
