LongIslandJam.com -- WMT Race #18 Thompson

THOMPSON, Conn. (Oct. 30, 2005) Jerry Marquis of Broad Brook, Conn. drove to his third NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour victory of the season and Tony Hirschman of Northampton, Pa. clinched his fifth series championship at Thompson International Speedway’s World Series of Auto Racing presented by Whelen Engineering & XTRA/MART 125 lap season ending finale.

Marquis, driving the Reynolds Auto Wrecking Dodge, took the lead from John Blewett, III Howell, N.J. on lap 102 after Blewett spun in Turn-2. Marquis then held off Chuck Hossfeld over the closing laps to secure the victory. Finishing behind Hossfeld, was Doug Coby, Mike Christopher and Charlie Pasteryak.

Hirschman was credited with 12^th place in the Kamco Supply Chevrolet but it was enough to give him his 5^th title. He entered the race trailing Ted Christopher by 36 points and needed Christopher to finish eighth or worse to have a chance at the title. Christopher made contact with the Turn-1 wall on lap 10 ending his day and his hopes for his first championship.

“Ted had said he wanted to race more like I did,” said Hirschman. “I took that as a compliment. I just tried to stay consistent tonight. Ted had problems and I didn’t.”

Hirschman now trails Mike Stefanik by one in career NASCAR Whelen Modified Championships. He has won five of the last 11 championships.

Hossfeld’s second place finish was good enough to give him third in the season standings. Marquis finished fourth in the final rundown and Eric Beers of Northampton, Pa. rounded out the Top-5 in the standings.

THOMPSON, Conn. Unofficial results of the World Series of Auto Racing presented by Whelen Engioneering & XTRA/MART NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour race at Thompson International Speedway showing starting position in parentheses, driver, make of car, laps completed,

1. (8) Jerry Marquis, Broad Brook Conn., Dodge, 125, 65.759 mph, $7,250

2. (17) Chuck Hossfeld, Buffalo N.Y., Ford, 125, $4,000

3. (3) Doug Coby, Milford Conn., Pontiac, 125, $3,600

4. (26) Mike Christopher, Plainville Conn., Pontiac, 125, $3,300

5. (11) Charlie Pasteryak, Lisbon Conn., Chevrolet, 125, $1,800

6. (9) Mike Stefanik, Coventry R.I., Chevrolet, 125, $2,400

7. (20) Anthony Ferrante, Jr, Franklin Square, Chevrolet, 125, $2,000

8. (18) Alex Hoag, Bath N.Y., Chevrolet, 125, $1,500

9. (21) Ken Barry, Griswold Conn., Chevrolet, 125, $1,900

10. (29) Steve Whitt, Farmingdale N.J., Dodge, 125, $1,900

11. (6) Zach Sylvester, Lebanon Conn., Chevrolet, 125, $1,980

12. (1) Tony Hirschman, Northampton Pa., Chevrolet, 125, $2,560

13. (7) John Blewett, III, Howell N.J., Chevrolet, 125, $1,990

14. (15) Kevin Goodale, Riverhead N.Y., Chevrolet, 125, $1,820

15. (23) Jeff Malave, Manchester Conn., Chevrolet, 125, $1,100

16. (30) Tyler Haydt, Kunkletown Pa., Chevrolet, 124, $1,850

17. (5) Donny Lia, Jericho N.Y., Chevrolet, 123, $1,775

18. (28) Dave Etheridge, Portland Conn., Chevrolet, 111, Suspension, $1,650

19. (16) Rick Fuller, Auburn Mass., Pontiac, 105, $1,700

20. (27) Dick Houlihan, Bridgewater Mass., Chevrolet, 74, Radiator, $1,300

21. (13) Eddie Flemke, Southington Conn., Chevrolet, 62, $1,600

22. (32) Jimmy Storace, Kingston N.H., Chevrolet, 54, $1,300

23. (25) Jamie Tomaino, Howell N.J., Ford, 45, $1,700

24. (2) Matt Hirschman, Northampton Pa., Dodge, 42, Accident, $900

25. (14) Eric Beers, Northampton Pa., Chevrolet, 42, Axle, $1,700

26. (24) Renee Dupuis, Glastonbury Conn., Chevrolet, 42, Accident, $1,600

27. (4) Jimmy Blewett, Howell N.J., Chevrolet, 34, Accident, $900

28. (31) Gregg Shivers, Rocky Point N.Y., Pontiac, 17, Overheating, $1,600

29. (12) Tommy Cloce, Canton N.Y., Chevrolet, 14, Axle, $1,300

30. (10) Ted Christopher, Plainville Conn., Chevrolet, 10, Accident, $1,700

31. (22) Carl Pasteryak, Lisbon Conn., Pontiac, 3, Accident, $900

32. (19) Mike Ewanitsko, West Hempstead N.Y., Dodge, 3, Accident, $900

Failed to Qualify: (8) Thomas Bolles (#76), Wade Cole (#33), Nevin George (#00), Joseph Hartmann (#05), Mike Molleur (#35), Ken Bouchard (#55), Howie Brode (#96), Jake Marosz (#9).

Time of Race: 1 hrs., 11 mins, 17 secs Average Speed: 65.759 mph Margin of Victory: 2.3 seconds

BUD POLE AWARD: Jerry Marquis, 4 Reynolds Auto Wrecking Dodge

FEATHERLITE MOST IMPROVED DRIVER AWARD: Doug Coby, 77 Angellinos Italian Restaurant/ Red Line Oil Pontiac

POWERADE POWER MOVE OF THE RACE: Mike Christopher, 79 Hill Enterprises/Sunoco Pontiac

TOMMY BALDWIN MEMORIAL AWARD: John Blewett, III, 66 Blewett Motorsports Chevrolet

Caution Flags: Laps 4-9; 11-15; 43-51; 57-61; 82-86; 91-94; 102-104. 7 for 37 laps.

Lap Leaders: Tony Hirschman 1-45, Jerry Marquis 46-50, John Blewett, III 51-101, Jerry Marquis 102-125.

Total Laps Led: John Blewett, III 51, Tony Hirschman 45, Jerry Marquis 29. 3 changes involving 3 drivers.

Top 20 Driver Points: Tony Hirschman 2749, Ted Christopher 2731, Chuck Hossfeld 2666, Jerry Marquis 2647, Eric Beers 2470, Donny Lia 2469, Doug Coby 2327, Rick Fuller 2236, Mike Christopher 2202, Zach Sylvester 2178, Jamie Tomaino 2145, Eddie Flemke 2139, Dave Etheridge 1931, Steve Whitt 1910, Tyler Haydt * 1865, Kevin Goodale 1737, Mike Stefanik 1725, Renee Dupuis 1710, Gregg Shivers 1634, Dick Houlihan 1519

Denotes Rookie of the Year Contender

2005 WMT Season Coverage THE END