LongIslandJam.com -- WMT Race #9 Seekonk Speedway

CHRIS KOPEC LOOKING FOR FIRST NASCAR
WHELEN MODIFIED TOUR WIN OF THE SEASON AT SEEKONK

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (July 27, 2005) The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour is scheduled to make its only appearance in the state of Massachusetts during the 2005 season on July 30 when NASCAR’s oldest open wheeled touring series travels to the 1/3 mile Seekonk (Mass.) Speedway for the Whelen Modified Tour 150.

Chris Kopec, the 2001 winner at Seekonk, is among the drivers expected to be on hand trying to qualify for one of the 30 starting positions. Kopec, of Ware, Mass., has returned to competition on the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour after sitting out last season.

“I really enjoy racing at Seekonk, said Kopec. “I spent a lot of time there last year on Saturday nights when I wasn’t racing, but I’d rather be behind the wheel.”

Seekonk has produced some of the most exciting racing events over the last few seasons for the series.

“The track is perfect for our series,” said Kopec. “It’s very wide and it allows drivers to race side by side. It’s a great place to race.”

Kopec currently sits 11^th in the series standings in the No. 16 Diversified Metals Chevrolet.

“We got off to a really good start, “said Kopec. “We’ve struggled a little over the last couple races. Maybe Seekonk will give us that first win of the year.”

He is hoping to climb back into the Top-10 in the standings

“We just need to be more consistent,” Kopec explained. “This series is very competitive. You have to be at your best every week.”

The Whelen Modified Tour 150 will mark the sixth appearance at Seekonk for the series. Racing is scheduled to begin at approximately 8:00 p.m.

WHELEN MODIFIED TOUR 150 NOTES

Bud Pole Qualifying is scheduled for 4:00 pm on July 30 with the fastest

25 cars earning positions 1-25 for the Whelen Modified Tour 150. An additional five provisional positions (Two based on current driver points, two based on current owners points, and one past champion) will increase the starting field to 30 cars. The race will begin at approximately 8:00 p.m.

Posted awards are $74,255 for the 150 lap event.

This will be the sixth appearance for the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour at Seekonk since 1987.

Chuck Hossfeld is the defending champion of this event.

Reggie Ruggiero was the winner of the first series race held at Seekonk, a

200-lap event on Aug. 30, 1987. Jerry Marquis won the series next appearance during the 2000 campaign. Chris Kopec was the winner in 2001. Eddie Flemke won in 2002.

Current series drivers who competed at the 1987 race include:

Wade Cole, Rick Fuller, Jerry Marquis, Carl Pasteryak, Charlie Pasteryak,

Jamie Tomaino, and Mike Stefanik.

The series qualifying record, set by Reggie Ruggiero, is 11.739 seconds

for an average speed of 102.223 mph around the 1/3 mile oval.

2005 WMT Season Coverage THE END