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Daytona
Beach, FL — The
NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour’s
largest contingent of rookie
drivers in series history will
be among the competitors
attempting to qualify for one of
the 33 starting spots at the
Carquest Tech-Net Spring Sizzler
at Stafford Motor Speedway on
April 30th.
A total of 14 competitors have registered as Sunoco Rookie of
The Year candidates, eclipsing
the mark of 2004 when 10 rookie
drivers registered at the start
of the season.
After one event James Civali of Meriden, Conn. leads the
Sunoco Rookie of the Year
standings as he was the highest
finishing rookie at the series
opener in Thompson, Conn. after
placing sixth. Mike Andrews of
Ridge, N.Y. is second in the
standings. Andrews finished 7th
and was the only other rookie
driver in the Top 10 at
Thompson.
Other rookie candidates who scored points at Thompson and
will be looking to add to their
season total at Stafford
include: Jon McKennedy of
Chelmsford, Mass., Ronnie Silk
of Norwalk, Conn., Anthony
Sesely of Matawan, N.J., Ron
Yuhas, of Groton. Conn., Eric
Berndt of Rocky Hill, Conn.,
Danny Sammons of Hamilton, N.J.,
Matt Hirschman of Northampton,
Pa., and Glen Tyler of Hampton
Bays, N.Y.
Joe Hartman and Ken Heagy both from Calverton, N.Y., Joseph
Mongeau of Brick, N.J. and Chris
Pasteryak of Lisbon, Conn. are
all registered rookies looking
to qualify for their first event
of 2006 at the Sizzler.
The Sunoco Rookie of the Year award is determined by a “race
within the race.” The highest
finishing Rookie earns 10
points, the second highest earns
9 points and the points are
reduced by one until 10th place.
If there are more than 10
rookies in the race any driver
who finishes 10th or worse earns
a point. The final number of
competition points earned by
each driver will be based on
his/her highest finish in 75% of
the races during the season.
At season’s end, the top rookie wins a $3,500 bonus from
Sunoco, the official fuel of
NASCAR.
The Carquest Tech-Net Spring Sizzler is one of the most
prestigious events on the Whelen
Modified Tour. It’s an event
victory every veteran driver
wants on their resume. The 2006
version of the Sizzler will have
large group of new faces eager
to make this history-laden event
their first career win on the
series.
Sizzler Notes:
* Posted Awards: $90,963
* Bud Pole Qualifying is
scheduled for 1:00 p.m. on April
29. The fastest 28 cars will
transfer.
* Five provisional positions
(Two based on 2005 NASCAR Whelen
Modified Tour owner points, two
on 2005 driver points and one
past champion provisional) will
bring the starting field to 33
cars.
* The 200 lap race is schedule
to start at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday,
April 30.
* Drivers currently competing on
the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour
who have scored Sizzler
victories include: John Blewett
(01), Ted Christopher (2)
(02&03), Mike Ewanitsko (2)
(94&95), Rick Fuller (3)
(92,99,& 00),Tony Hirschman
(05), Reggie Ruggiero (2)
(87&93) and Mike Stefanik
(89,90,97 & 98)
* The series qualifying record
at Stafford is 18.102 seconds
(99.437 mph) set by Mike
Ewanitsko in 2001.
* The Carquest Tech Net Spring
Sizzler is the first of four
series events scheduled to be
held at Stafford in 2006.
* The Pit Party, a Stafford
Tradition, is scheduled for
11:00 a.m. on Sunday April 30
allowing fans an opportunity to
meet their favorite drivers and
see the cars up close.
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