Past Modified Champion Tomaino to be Honored at Spencer
Speedway
As part of a season-long celebration of 60 years of Modified
champions, 1990 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour titlist Jamie
Tomaino will be honored at the Mason Farms 100 on July 12 at
Spencer Speedway in Williamson, N.Y.
Tomaino, who has run more races than any driver in the
history of the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, was a model of
consistency during his championship season of 1990. Of the 23
races on the schedule, Tomaino finished in the top 10 a
remarkable 18 times. He had 10 top-fives, and won at Monadnock
Speedway.
Despite the success he found in 1990, the prior season
provided Tomaino with a lot of uncertainty. He and car owner
Bill Potts parted ways in 1989, but he was able to hook up with
Danny Ust and things took off from there.
“I found a guy [Ust] that had a race car in his garage and I
asked him if I could use it,” Tomaino said. “One thing led to
another and the season was a Cinderella story.”
The Howell, N.J., native will enter the Mason Farms 100 at
Spencer with 490 career starts under his belt, and has missed
just four races in the 24-year history of the NASCAR Whelen
Modified Tour. He is slated to become the first driver to make
500 starts at Spencer’s sister track, Chemung Speedrome, on Oct.
4.
In his 23 seasons as a regular on the NASCAR Whelen Modified
Tour heading into 2008, Tomaino finished in the top 10 in the
points standings 13 times, and was the runner-up to Jimmy
Spencer’s title in 1986.
“I was fortunate enough when the Tour started that Bill Potts
gave me the best equipment there was back then and I
consistently ran up front, then I was able to pick up the ride
with Danny Ust to win the championship,” Tomaino said. “Since
the championship, things aren’t that simple anymore. I’ve
struggled to stay alive in this sport as of 2008, but I’m lucky
enough to still do what I love.”
Tomaino has always remained thankful for those that gave him
a start in racing and put him in a position to be successful.
“I’ve got to thank Howard Harvey, Bill Potts and Danny Ust
for all that they did for my racing career,” Tomaino said.
“Without them, I would not have been able to have the long
career that I’ve had.”
NASCAR plans to honor each of its 31 all-time Modified
champions throughout the season. The celebration began with the
recognition of Frankie Schneider, Donny Lia and Richie Evans at
Thompson (Conn.) International Speedway on April 6. Since the
season-opener Red Byron, Jeff Fuller, Ernie Gahan, Spencer and
Mike Stefanik have also been recognized.
The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour will return to Spencer
Speedway on Saturday, July 12 for the first time since 1994, and
for just the fifth time overall. Tomaino, along with Williamson
native Jan Leaty, are the only two drivers entered in the Mason
Farms 100 who have participated in the previous four races at
the track. For ticket information, please visit Spencer’s
official Web site (spencerspeedway.org).
Source: Jason
Cunningham/NASCAR WMT PR
Posted:
July 3, 2008
