Santos Superb In Stafford Spring Sizzler
Bobby Santos dominated NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour action in winning the CARQUEST Tech-Net Sizzler at Stafford Motor Speedway on Sunday, giving him back-to-back wins at the historic half-mile track.
The 2010 tour champion from Franklin, Mass., led all but three of the 200 laps – holding on in a dash to the finish after a late-race restart.
It marks the ninth career tour win for Santos, who had notched his ninth career Coors Light Pole Award in qualifying on Saturday. He was the Spring Sizzler runner-up during his title campaign and followed that with a win in the 2011 event. Sunday’s victory marks the fifth overall Stafford win for the No. 44 Curb Records/Brendan Kelley Music Chevrolet driver.
Justin Bonsignore finished in the runner-up spot – followed by Ted Christopher, Ryan Preece and Rowan Pennink. Doug Coby, Ron Yuhas Jr., Donny Lia, Jimmy Blewett and Mike Stefanik completed the top 10.
Sunday’s race featured two lead changes among two drivers, with Patrick Emerling leading briefly during the fourth of nine cautions.
The annual Stafford stop was the second event on a 14-race tour schedule. The next stop is Monadnock Speedway on May 11.
NASCAR WHELEN MODIFIED TOUR
CARQUEST TECH-NET SPRING SIZZLER
Unofficial Results: Sunday at Stafford Motor Speedway, Stafford, Conn.
Lap length: 0.5 miles
(Start position in parentheses)
1. (1) Bobby Santos, Franklin, Mass., Chevrolet, 200 laps, 89.441 mph.
2. (14) Justin Bonsignore, Holtsville, NY, Chevrolet, 200.
3. (15) Ted Christopher, Plainville, Conn., Chevrolet, 200.
4. (7) Ryan Preece, Berlin, Conn., Ford, 200.
5. (3) Rowan Pennink, Huntingdon Valley, Pa., Chevrolet, 200.
6. (9) Doug Coby, Milford, Conn., Chevrolet, 200.
7. (19) Ron Yuhas, Jr., Groton, Conn., Chevrolet, 200.
8. (11) Jimmy Blewett, Howell, N.J., Chevrolet, 200.
9. (5) Mike Stefanik, Coventry, R.I., Ford, 200.
10. (10) Donny Lia, Jericho, NY, Dodge, 200.
11. (21) Patrick Emerling, Orchard Park, NY, Chevrolet, 200.
12. (17) Jamie Tomaino, Howell, N.J., Chevrolet, 200.
13. (24) Ken Heagy, Calverton, N.Y., Ford, 200.
14. (8) Eric Berndt, Cromwell, Conn., Chevrolet, 199.
15. (12) Richie Pallai,, Jr., Yorktown Heights, N.Y., Chevrolet, 199.
16. (22) Ed Flemke, Jr., Southington, Conn, Chevrolet, 194, mechanical.
17. (13) Ron Silk, Norwalk, CT, Chevrolet, 187.
18. (2) Todd Szegedy, Ridgefield, Conn, Chevrolet, 184, accident.
19. (16) Cole Powell, Mount Brydg, Ontario, Chevrolet, 172, battery.
20. (20) Eric Goodale, Riverhead, N.Y., Chevrolet, 168, ignition.
21. (23) Wade Cole, Riverton, Conn., Chevrolet, 156, mechanical.
22. (6) Bryon Chew, Mattituck, NY, Chevrolet, 149, accident.
23. (26) Gary McDonald, Ronkonkoma, N.Y., Pontiac, 147, accident.
24. (25) Brian Schofield, Monson, Mass., Chevrolet, 56, transmission.
25. (4) Chuck Hossfeld, Ransomville, N.Y., Chevrolet, 44, transmission.
26. (18) Woody Pitkat, Stafford, Conn., Pontiac, 2, engine.
Race Statistics
Time of Race: 1 hour 7 minutes 5 seconds
Margin of Victory: Caution
Fastest Qualifier: B.Santos (99.547 mph, 18.082 seconds)
Caution Flags: 10 for 46 laps.
Lead Changes: 2 among 2 drivers.
Lap Leaders: B. Santos 1-105; P. Emerling 106-108; B. Santos 109-200.
Standings: 1. R. Pennink, 83; 2. M. Stefanik, 82; 3. R. Preece, 82; 4. T. Christopher, 80; 5. J. Bonsignore, 78; 6. D. Coby, 75; 7. B. Santos, 74; 8. J. Blewett, 74; 9. R. Silk, 67; 10. P. Emerling, 65.