Stefanik Hoping For Success As Whelen Modified Tour
Returns To Jennerstown

    Daytona  Beach, FL — The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour will make its only appearance in the state of Pennsylvania on Saturday, June 17 at Jennerstown (Pa.) Speedway. The Wheeler Brothers 100 will be the third race of the 2006 campaign. Mike Stefanik, a two time winner at Jennerstown and six time series champion, leads the point standings heading into the event.
    “I’m looking forward to racing again at Jennerstown”, said Stefanik. “It’s a great race track, it has multiple grooves and there is always a lot of passing.”
    Stefanik returned to the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour on a full time basis in 2006 seeking his seventh Series Championship and ninth overall NASCAR Touring Championship.
    “I really am most comfortable in a modified,” said Stefanik. “I enjoy driving one as much now as I did 25 years ago.”
    Although the majority of the 2006 schedule lies ahead, Stefanik began the season in championship form by winning the opener at Thompson, Conn. and finishing fourth three weeks later at Stafford Springs, Conn. in the Diversified Metals Chevrolet.
    “We just did some testing and I’m very enthusiastic with the way the car is running,” said Stefanik. “We’ve put together a great team and with the help we’re getting from our sponsors, Sanderson-Macleod, Inc, Sheraton Portsmouth Harborside and Ace Moulding. I’m looking forward not only to Jennerstown but the rest of the season.”
    Stefanik will be trying to become the first three-time series winner at Jennerstown. Tony Hirschman, Steve Park and Reggie Ruggiero are all two time series winners at Jennerstown.

WHEELER BROTHERS 100 NOTES

· Bud Pole Qualifying is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. for positions 1-23. Five provisional positions (Two based on 2005 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Owner points, two based on driver points and one past champion) will bring the starting field to 28 cars.
· Posted awards are $75,953 for the 100 lap event.
· The Wheeler Brothers 100 is scheduled to start at approximately 8:15 p.m.
· Tony Hirschman is the defending champion of the Wheeler Brothers 100. He also won at Jennerstown in 1989. Other drivers with victories at Jennerstown include: Jan Leaty (87) Reggie Ruggiero (88 & 89), Tommy Bolles (88), Doug Heveron (90), Mike Stefanik (91&98), Steve Park (95&96) and Mike Ewanitsko (97)
· The Tour’s first appearance at Jennerstown was in 1987. Current Series drivers who competed at that race were: Rick Fuller, Carl Pasteryak, Reggie Ruggiero, Mike Stefanik and Jamie Tomaino.
· The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour qualifying record at Jennerstown is 17.323 seconds (108.480 mph) set by Steve Park in 1996.
· An autograph session is scheduled for 7:00 pm allowing fans a chance to meet their favorite drivers.

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