Civali Looking to Repeat at Thompson
The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour returns to the Thompson International
Speedway for a mid-week event on Thursday, June 21. The Charter Cable
Internet & Telephone 150 will be the second of five events for the series at
Thompson in 2007. James Civali of Meriden, Conn., winner of the Icebreaker
at Thompson, is looking forward to returning to the 5/8-mile high banked
oval.
“I really enjoy racing at Thompson, said Civali. “If your car is set up
right it’s easy to pass. We had a great setup in April and we’ll return with
the same car.”
Civali, who drives the Don King-owned Ramar-Hal/Liberty Limousine
Chevrolet, is currently second in the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour point
standings with one win, two top-five finishes and three top-10s. He trails
Jimmy Blewett by just three points.
“It’s still very early in the season said Civali. “But obviously this is
what we are trying to accomplish for the season – we would like to win the
championship. So I’m glad we’ve had some success early.”
Civali is the 2006 Sunoco Race Fuels Rookie of the year. He is trying
not to feel the pressure as he emerged as a championship contender in his
sophomore season.
“I really try not to let it get to me”, said Civali. “I know my car owner
has told me there is added pressure when you are running well – people start
to expect it. I’m just still trying to stay focused.”
CHARTER CABLE-INTERNET& TELEPHONE150 NOTES
·
The
Charter Cable-Internet & Telephone 150 at Thompson International Speedway is
race No. 6 of the 2007 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour season
·
Posted
awards are $86,505 for the 150-lap race. Bud Pole qualifying is scheduled
for 5:45 pm June 21 to determine positions 1-30. Four provisional starting
positions (two owner & two driver) based on 2007 Whelen Modified Tour point
Standings and one past champion provisional are available for a maximum
starting field of 35 cars.
·
The
Charter Cable Internet & Telephone 150 will start at approximately 8:15 p.m.
·
Todd
Szegedy is the defending champion of the event.
·
The
track qualifying record is 18.457 seconds (121.905 mph) by Todd Szegedy in
April, 2007.
·
The
Charter Cable-Internet & Telephone 150 will be the second of five series
events scheduled to be held at Thompson in 2007. James Civali won the
Icebreaker in April.
·
Thompson International Speedway has hosted more Whelen Modified Tour races
than any other speedway. There have been 92 series events at Thompson since
1985 including the first series race on March 31, 1985.
Source: Mark
Mockovak/NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour PR
Posted:
June 19, 2007
