THOMPSON, Conn. (Oct. 14, 2007) – Twenty-two-year-old Bobby Santos III scored his first career NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour victory at the track he grew up watching racing.

Santos (No. 3 Roby’s Propane/Cape Cod Copper Chevrolet) led 109 laps, including the final 32, in winning the Xtra/Mart 150 at Thompson (Conn.) International Speedway.

“I’ve been coming here since I was a baby,” said Santos, a Franklin, Mass. native. “I started racing at its quarter-midget track next door. … This is the place to (get my first win).”

Reggie Ruggiero (No. 14 Atlantic Sprinkler Chevrolet) finished second, followed by Matt Hirschman (No. 59 Ed Bennett Properties Chevrolet).

“The young guys are coming,” said the 46-year-old Ruggiero of Santos and Hirschman, 24. “It’s just going to happen. But we can still be competitive with them.”

Ted Christopher and Ronnie Silk were fourth and fifth. Kevin Goodale, Ryan Preece, Mike Stefanik, Tony Hischman and Renee Dupuis rounded out the top 10.

Santos ran 11 of the 16 races as rookie of the Whelen Modified Tour this season. He is two days removed from making his fourth NASCAR Busch Series start of the season at Lowe’s Motor Speedway in Charlotte, N.C. for Bill Davis Racing.

It was his win Sunday that put the biggest smile on his face.

“The car was just unbelievable,” Santos said. “We started out free and after the pit stop, it was even better.”

Richard Savary (No. 21 Superior Oil Chevrolet) finished 13th to earn the Sunoco Rookie of the Year honors by one point (96-95) over Bobby Grigas III (No. 09 Triple G Scaffolding Chevrolet). Grigas was 25th in Sunday’s race.

NASCAR WHELEN MODIFIED TOUR-Xtra/Mart 150 Unofficial Results
Sunday
At Thompson  International Speedway|
Thompson, CT
Lap length: 0.625 miles
(Start position in parentheses)
1. (7) Bobby Santos, III, Millis, Mass., Chevrolet, 150 laps, 77.658 mph, $6,950.
2. (25) Reggie Ruggiero, Rocky Hill, Conn., Chevrolet, 150, $3,750.
3. (6) Matt Hirschman, Northampton, Pa., Dodge, 150, $3,450.|
4. (11) Ted Christopher, Plainville, Conn., Chevrolet, 150, $3,150.
5. (12) Ronnie Silk, Norwalk, Conn., Chevrolet, 150, $2,824.
6. (30) Kevin Goodale, Riverhead, N.Y., Chevrolet, 150, $3,000.
7. (23) Ryan Preece, Kensington, CT, Chevrolet, 150, $2,800.
8. (26) Mike Stefanik, Coventry, R.I., Chevrolet, 150, $3,050.
9. (8) Tony Hirschman, Jr., Northampton, Penn., Chevrolet, 150, $1,900.
10. (27) Renee Dupuis, Glastonbury, Conn., Chevrolet, 150, $1,250.
11. (19) Dick Houlihan, Bridgewater, Mass., Chevrolet, 150, $1,925.
12. (1) Anthony Ferrante, Jr., Franklin Square, N.Y., Chevrolet, 150, $1,800.
13. (21) Richard Savary, Canton, Mass., Chevrolet, 150, $1,875.
14. (20) Rowan Pennink, Huntingdon Valley, Pa., Chevrolet, 150, $1,850.
15. (28) Jamie Tomaino, Howell, N.J., Ford, 150, $1,925.
16. (24) Eric Beers, Northampton, Pa., Chevrolet, 150, $1,775.
17. (16) Jerry Marquis, Broad Brook, Conn., Chevrolet, 150, $1,750.
18. (18) Glen Tyler, Hampton Bays, N.Y., Chevrolet, 150, $1,425.
19. (22) Eddie Flemke, Southington, Conn., Chevrolet, 150, $1,800.
20. (3) Doug Coby, III, Milford, Conn., 149, accident, $975.
21. (2) Billy Pauch, Jr., Frenchtown, N.J., Dodge, 149, accident, $1,650.
22. (13) Anthony Sesely, Matawan, N.J., Chevrolet, 149, $925.
23. (31) Wade Cole, Riverton, Conn., Chevrolet, 148, $1,625.
24. (33) Rick Fuller, Auburn, Mass., Pontiac, 145, suspension, $1,075.
25. (14) Bobby Grigas, Marshfield, MA, Chevrolet, 144, $1,625.
26. (9) Jimmy Blewett, Howell, N.J., Chevrolet, 134, drive shaft, $1,725.
27. (5) Todd Szegedy, Ridgefield, Conn., Ford, 116, $1,725.
28. (4) Donny Lia, Jericho, N.Y., Dodge, 85, ignition, $1,875.
29. (32) Joe Hartmann, Riverhead, N.Y., Chevrolet, 71, accident, $1,325.
30. (10) Ron Yuhas, Groton, Conn., Chevrolet, 71, accident, $925.
31. (15) Woody Pitkat, Stafford Springs, Conn., Pontiac, 16, carburetor, $1,325.
32. (17) James Civali, Meriden, Conn., Chevrolet, 150, penalty, $1,925.

Race Statistics
Time of Race: 1 hour 12 minutes 26 seconds
Margin of Victory:
Fastest Qualifier: A.Ferrante Jr. (120.656 mph, 18.648 seconds)
Caution Flags: 7 for 35 laps.
Lead Changes: 5 among 4 drivers.
Lap Leaders: A. Ferrante Jr. 1; B. Santos III 2-78; M. Hirschman 79; D. Lia 80-84; M. Hirschman 85-118; B. Santos III 119-150.

Standings: 1. D. Lia, 2471; 2. T. Szegedy, 2291; 3. M. Hirschman, 2260; 4. R. Silk, 2257; 5. T. Christopher, 2187; 6. J. Civali, 2178; 7. M. Stefanik, 2077; 8. J. Blewett, 1883; 9. J. Tomaino, 1872; 10. E. Flemke, 1851.