10/16/2000

FEATHERLITE MODIFIED SERIES EXCITEMENT AT THOMPSON SPEEDWAY

      THOMPSON, Conn. (Oct. 15, 2000) -- Tommy Cravenho of Raynham, Mass. and Jerry Marquis of Broad Brook, Conn., were the big winners Sunday at Thompson International Speedway.
     Cravenho recorded his first Featherlite Modified Series, NASCAR Touring victory of the season in the 27th Annual World Series.
      Marquis finished fifth in the Teddy Bear Pools/Longview RV Pontiac which was good enough to secure his first Featherlite Modified Series Championship. Marquis finished the season 36 points ahead of Reggie Ruggiero of Rocky Hill, Conn.
      Cravenho, driving the BRE Racing/T & M Landscape Chevrolet, passed Mike Stefanik on lap 106 of the 125 lap race and then held off a furious challenge over the closing laps by the former series champion. Cravenho's margin of victory over Stefanik's ATC Dodge was only two feet. Cravenho was forced to use a provisional position, starting the race from the 30th position. It was the third career series win for Cravenho. His first occurred at Thompson in 1995.
       Ted Christopher of Plainville, Conn., finished third in the Wynn's Dodge. Defending Series Champion Tony Hirschman finished fourth in the Bear Motorsports Chevrolet.
     Marquis guaranteed himself the championship by finishing ahead of Ruggiero who finished 12th. Rick Fuller of Auburn, Mass., the only other driver with a chance at the championship, finished 18th.
     Marquis, Ruggiero, and Fuller were involved in a multi-car accident on lap 64, when Mike Ewanitsko and Tony Hirschman -who were running first and second - tangled on a restart. The chain reaction collected the Top-3 point leaders, who were running third, fourth and fifth. Fuller lost three laps in the pits. Marquis and Ruggiero made repeated pit stops to repair their cars.
      Bob Polverari led on the lap 66 restart before giving way to Stefanik. Stefanik led until Cravenho chased him down for the win. Marquis knifed his way back through he field. Ruggiero, his car's handling damaged by the incident, was unable to mount a challenge to Marquis.

Source:  NASCAR Featherlite Modified Series
Posted:  October 16, 2000