08/05/06

TED CHRISTOPHER COLLECTS SECOND NASCAR WHELEN MODIFIED TOUR VICTORY OF THE SEASON AT RIVERHEAD

    Ted Christopher of Plainville, Conn. earned his second NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour victory of the 2006 season in the Miller Lite 200 at Riverhead Raceway. Christopher passed Chuck Steuer of Bohemia, N.Y. on lap 65 and held off Chuck Hossfeld of Buffalo, N.Y. over the final 125 laps for the victory.
    It was the 25th career win for Christopher and his third at Riverhead. Christopher, driving the Al-Lee Installations Chevrolet, set fast time in qualifying to earn the Bud Pole. He picked the 8th starting position and began working his way to the front at the opening green. By lap 20 he was fifth. He reached the Top-3 on lap 53 and 12 laps later he was in first for good. The victory also moved him to second in the series point standings. Unofficially Christopher trails Mike Stefanik by 43 points.
    Hossfeld had his best finish of the season by placing second in the Hill Enterprises Pontiac. Jerry Marquis of Broad Brook Conn. drove from the 18th starting position to finish third in the Reynolds Auto Wrecking Dodge. Series point leader Mike Stefanik needed a provisional starting position in the Diversified Metals Chevrolet but finished fourth to maintain his point lead. Rob Summers or Manchester, Conn. rounded out the Top-5 in the Frasco Fuel/Red Oak Const Pontiac.
    Stefanik won the Powerade Power Move of the Race Award. Joe Hartman was the Featherlite Most Improved Driver in the race. Mike Andrews was the Rookie of the Race.

Unofficial Results of Saturday's $74,993.00 Miller Lite 200 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour race at Riverhead Raceway with driver's hometown, make and model of car, laps completed, winner's average speed, reason out (if any) and prize money.

 1. Ted Christopher, Plainville Conn., Chevrolet, 200, 41.929 mph, $7,250
 2. Chuck Hossfeld, Buffalo N.Y., Pontiac, 200, $3,500
 3. Jerry Marquis, Broad Brook Conn., Dodge, 200, $2,900
 4. Mike Stefanik, Coventry R.I., Chevrolet, 200, $3,000
 5. Rob Summers, Manchester Conn., Pontiac, 200, $2,100
 6. Mike Andrews, Jr, East Quogue N.Y., Chevrolet, 200, $1,900
 7. Chuck Steuer, Bohemia N.Y., Chevrolet, 200, $1,250
 8. Howie Brode, Bayshore N.Y., Chevrolet, 200, $1,200
 9. Todd Szegedy, Ridgefield Conn., Ford, 200, $1,900
10. Eddie Flemke, Southington Conn., Chevrolet, 200, $1,800
11. Zach Sylvester, Lebanon Conn., Chevrolet, 200, $1,675
12. Anthony Ferrante, Jr, Franklin Square, Chevrolet, 200, $950
13. Matt Hirschman, Northampton Pa., Dodge, 200, $1,625
14. Thomas Rogers, Patchogue N.Y., Chevrolet, 200, $875
15. Joseph Hartmann, Calverton N.Y., Chevrolet, 200, $1,550
16. Dick Houlihan, Bridgewater Mass., Chevrolet, 199, $1,525
17. James Civali, Meriden Conn., Chevrolet, 199, $1,600
18. Jamie Tomaino, Howell N.J., Ford, 198, $1,096
19. Donny Lia, Jericho N.Y., Chevrolet, 197, $1,550
20. Tony Hirschman, Northampton Pa., Chevrolet, 171, $2,125
21. Anthony Sesely, Matawan N.J., Chevrolet, 167, $1,425
22. Ronnie Silk, Norwalk Conn., Chevrolet, 161, $1,125
23. Glen Tyler, Hampton Bays N.Y., Chevrolet, 128, Power Steering, $1,125
24. John Denniston, Westbury N.Y., Chevrolet, 50, Clutch, $725
25. Wayne Anderson, Yaphank N.Y., Chevrolet, 48, Radiator, $725
26. Ken Heagy, Calverton N.Y., Chevrolet, 45, Suspension, $725
27. Eric Beers, Northampton Pa., Chevrolet, 27, Engine, $1,525
28. J R Bertuccio, Jr, Centerreach N.Y., Chevrolet, 21, Suspension, $725

Failed to Qualify: (13) Frank Vigliarolo, Jr (#5), Doug Coby (#77), Kevin Goodale (#58, Larry Altholtz (#35), Ken Barry (#21), Bill Park (#20), Danny Sammons * (#0), Ron Yuhas * (#6), Jimmy Blewett (#12), Jake Marosz (#9), Steve Whitt (#06), Jimmy Storace (#47), Wade Cole (#33).

Time of Race:1 hrs., 11 mins, 33 secs Average Speed: 41.929 mph Margin of Victory:.44 Seconds
BUD POLE AWARD: Ted Christopher, 36 Al-Lee Installations Chevrolet
FEATHERLITE MOST IMPROVED DRIVER AWARD: Joseph Hartmann *, 05 WMS Construction Chevrolet
POWERADE POWER MOVE OF THE RACE: Mike Stefanik, 16 Diversified Metals Chevrolet
SUNOCO ROOKIE OF THE RACE: Mike Andrews, Jr *, 86 Al-Lee Installations Chevrolet
Caution Flags: Laps 6-13; 20-32; 39-44; 45-53; 55-61; 69-73; 85-90; 91-96; 150-156; 170-174; 180-185; 187-193. 12 for 85 laps.
Lap Leaders: Thomas Rogers 1-52, Chuck Steuer 53-64, Ted Christopher 65-200.
Total Laps Led: Ted Christopher 136, Thomas Rogers 52, Chuck Steuer 12. 2 changes involving 3 drivers.

Unofficial Top 20 Driver Points: Mike Stefanik 1255, Ted Christopher 1212, Tony Hirschman 1177, Eddie Flemke 1095, James Civali * 1095, Todd Szegedy 1093, Eric Beers 1030, Chuck Hossfeld 1019, Jerry Marquis 1007, Donny Lia 990, Dick Houlihan 973, Jamie Tomaino 899, Doug Coby 873, Rob Summers 862, Matt Hirschman * 853, Zach Sylvester 833, Reggie Ruggiero 821, Jimmy Blewett 809, Anthony Sesely * 782, Ronnie Silk * 780
Next Race: Stafford Springs, CT
* Denotes Sunoco Rookie of the Year Contender

   The next event for the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour is at The Stafford Motor Speedway in Stafford Springs, Conn. on Aug. 11

Source:  NASCARTouring.com/WMT PR
Posted:  August 5, 2006