Whelen Modified Tour

Whelen Modified Tour
Category Stock cars
Country United States
Inaugural season 1985
Constructors Troyer, Chassis Dynamics, RaceWorks, Spafco, LFR
Engine suppliers Hutter, Bob Bruneau, Performance Engines by Billy the Kid, Performance Technology, ECR, Robert Yates Racing
Tire suppliers Hoosier Racing Tire
Official website Whelen Modified Tour
Current season
2006 cars

The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour (NWMT) (previously the NASCAR Winston Modified Tour and NASCAR Featherlite Modified Series from 1985 until 2005)[1] is a stock car racing series owned and operated by NASCAR in the Modified Division. The Modified Division is NASCAR's oldest division, and is the only open-wheeled division that NASCAR sanctions. NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour events are mainly held in the northeastern United States, but the 2007 and 2008 tours expanded to the Midwest with the addition of a race in Mansfield, Ohio. The tour races primarily on short oval paved tracks, but the NWMT also has made appearances at larger ovals and road courses.

The cars

No. 45 modified car, courtesy of Navy Lakehurst

NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour cars are substantially different from their Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series counterparts. Today's cars are based on tubular chassis built by fabricators such as Troyer Engineering, Chassis Dynamics, Spafco, Raceworks and Fury Race Cars / LFR Chassis. Bodies are related to their passenger car counterparts in only two ways. There is a "manufacturers" logo placed on the car, and a logo indicating the type of road car it is alleged to be. Neither logo is actually associated with the actual manufacturer of the race vehicle. Whelen Modified cars are also largely fabricated from sheetmetal, with the front wheels and much of the front suspension exposed. A NASCAR Whelen Modified car is eleven inches shorter in height and over twenty-three inches wider than a Cup car. By rule, tour-type modifieds weigh at least 2610 pounds (with additional weight for engines 358 cubic inches and larger) and have a wheelbase of 107 inches (2,700 mm). They are powered by small-block V-8 engines, usually of 355 to 368 cubic inches of displacement, although larger or smaller engines can be used. Engine components are largely similar to those used in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, but Whelen Modified Tour engines use a small four-barrel carburetor (rated at 390 cubic feet per minute, about half the airflow of previous modified carburetors), which limits their output to 625 to 700 horsepower. On large tracks such as New Hampshire Motor Speedway, the engines must have a restrictor plate between the carburetor and intake manifold, reducing engine power and car speed for safety reasons. Approved "body styles" for 2006 include the Chevrolet Cavalier and Monte Carlo, the Dodge Avenger and Stealth, the Ford Mustang and Escort, the Plymouth Laser and Sundance, and the Pontiac Sunbird, J2000, and Grand Prix.[2]

History of the NASCAR Modified Division

The NASCAR Modified Division was formed as part of NASCAR's creation in December 1947. NASCAR held a modified race as its first sanctioned event, on February 15, 1948, on the beach course at Daytona Beach, Florida. Red Byron won the event and 11 more races that year, and won the first NASCAR Modified Championship.[3] (The Strictly Stock Division, which evolved into today's premier Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, did not race until 1949.) Post-World War II modifieds were a form of "stock car" (contrasted against purpose-built AAA championship cars, sprints, and midgets) which allowed some modification, typically substitution of stronger truck parts. Most cars were pre-WWII coupes and coaches. This pattern continued through the 1960s, with aftermarket performance parts and later-model chassis (such as the 1955–57 Chevrolet's frame) becoming more common. Modifieds became known for technical innovation, both in homebuilt parts and in adapting components from other types of vehicles. By 1970, many modifieds featured big-block engines, fuel injection, eighteen-inch-wide rear tires, radically offset engine locations, and other technologies that made them faster on short tracks than any full-bodied race cars including Grand National cars.[4]

The predecessor to the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour was NASCAR's National Modified Championship, which was determined by total points from weekly NASCAR-sanctioned races as well as a schedule of national championship races. Parts of the northeastern and southeastern US were hotbeds of modified racing in the 1950s and 1960s; some racers competed five nights per week or more.[5] Often the same car was raced on both dirt and paved tracks, changing only tires and perhaps springs and shock absorbers.[4] In the late 1960s and early 1970s, the technology of dirt and pavement modifieds diverged to make them separate types of race car. NASCAR was no longer sanctioning dirt tracks which held modified races, so the NASCAR modified rules became the standard for asphalt Modifieds. (Starting in the early 1970s, northeastern US dirt modified racetracks began to join the DIRT organization founded by Glenn Donnelly.) Most unsanctioned tracks used similar modified rules to NASCAR's, or specified the same cars with cost-limiting rules such as smaller engines or narrow tires.

In the 1980s, it became prohibitively expensive for modified teams to tow long distances to sixty or more races per year, including Watkins Glen International and Daytona International Speedway, Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, North Wilkesboro Speedway, and Martinsville Speedway, with the North Wilkesboro races part of the Cup weekend.

Richie Evans ran 66 NASCAR modified features (and several unsanctioned events such as the Race of Champions) in 1984, the final year of the old system.[5] To enable more than a few teams to contend seriously for the championship, it was decided to reformat the Modified Division's championship to a limited schedule of races not conflicting with one another. This change mirrored similar format changes to the Grand National (now Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series) Division starting in 1972 and the Late Model Sportsman Division (now Xfinity Series) starting in 1982.

Safety

Richie Evans' 1985 death at Martinsville, along with other asphalt modified fatalities such as Charlie Jarzombek (in 1987), Corky Cookman (1987), Tommy Druar (1989), Don Pratt (1989), and Tony Jankowiak (1990), led to questions about car rigidity with tour modifieds, and safety changes.[5] In particular, straight frame rails were phased out, with new chassis required to have a step which could bend in hard impacts rather than passing the force to the driver. The death of Tom Baldwin, Sr. in 2004 led to more safety modifications, with HANS devices (or equivalents) and left side headrests becoming mandatory. For the 2008 season, rear bumpers were shortened in response to the 2007 death of John Blewett III.

After a severed wheel caused a fatality at an Indy Racing League event, NASCAR, in July 1999, required the Featherlite Modified Series teams (and eventually all NASCAR teams) to add steel cables as tethers linking each front spindle to the chassis, the steel cables were later replaced with marine rope which is stronger and weighs less.[6]

History of the Modified Tour

The modern-day NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour was first held in 1985 with 29 races, named the "NASCAR Winston Modified Tour".[5] It switched sponsorship to the Featherlite Trailers brand in 1994, and was renamed the "NASCAR Featherlite Modified Series".

Two major changes to the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour came in 2005.

In 2005, Whelen Engineering took over sponsorship of the series, which was renamed the "NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour".

Beginning in 2005 NASCAR sanctioned a new modified division in the southeastern United States known as the "Whelen Southern Modified Tour". The two tours agreed to run a combined race at Martinsville Speedway.

1985

Richie Evans, who is tied (with Mike Stefanik) the record for the most NASCAR championships with nine NASCAR Modified championships, won his last championship posthumously in 1985, the first year of the Winston Modified Tour. Driving cars built and maintained in his own shop for sponsor B.R. DeWitt, Evans won 12 of his 28 starts on the tour, including five consecutive victories at five tracks in July and August. Billy Nacewicz was the team's crew chief.[5] Other strong contenders on the tour included George Kent, Jimmy Spencer, Brian Ross, Reggie Ruggiero, Brett Bodine, Charlie Jarzombek, Jeff Fuller, George Brunnhoelzl, Doug Heveron, Jamie Tomaino, John Rosati, Corky Cookman, Greg Sacks, Mike McLaughlin, Mike Stefanik, and Bugs Stevens. Many other top racers focused on their local tracks but ran limited tour schedules. In October, the season ended in tragedy when Evans was killed in an accident while practicing for the final race of the tour season, the Winn-Dixie 500 at Martinsville Speedway. He had already clinched the title; Mike McLaughlin, driving for Len Boehler, finished second in the points standings.[5]

Public stature

The series has been a minor league with a strong and loyal regional following. Most national media attention has appeared in racing-centered publications (magazines such as Stock Car Racing Magazine and Speedway Illustrated, and newspapers such as National Speed Sport News and Speedway Scene) rather than general mass media. In the 21st century, several books about historical modified drivers have been published. The series was featured in the EA Sports NASCAR series starting in 2004, though after 2006, the series became exclusive to PlayStation 2 releases.

No full-time Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series driver competed regularly in Whelen Modified Tour events until 2010, when Ryan Newman won at Bristol and won twice at New Hampshire driving for Kevin Manion. However, Ron Bouchard, Geoff Bodine, Brett Bodine, Steve Park, and Jimmy Spencer went on from WMT competition to become race winners at the Cup level. Other WMT veterans such as Mike McLaughlin, and Jeff Fuller have advanced to become race winners and championship contenders in the Xfinity Series, the top minor league under Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series. Two-time Xfinity Series champion Randy Lajoie also began racing modifieds in Connecticut before moving on the NASCAR. Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series crew chiefs that started in WMT include Tommy Baldwin Jr. and Greg Zipadelli.

In recent years, small numbers of races in the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour have aired on network television, with none appearing on prime-time television.

Traditionally, there are three weekends when the modifieds run as part of the undercard for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series: the July and September races at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, and the Irwin Tools Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway. In the past, modifieds ran with the Cup cars at Martinsville, and the old SMART tour (which today is the NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour) at North Wilkesboro with Cup cars. Typically, a name driver is recruited to participate in the race to pique the interest of casual fans. For example, Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series driver Carl Edwards and defending Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series champion Tony Stewart raced in the July 2006 race. On August 19, 2009, the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour made its debut at Bristol Motor Speedway as part of a four-series meet (with the three national series) that week. This was a combination event for the Whelen Modifieds and the Southern Whelen Modifieds, and part of the Camping World Truck Series race meet that evening. The modifieds have also historically run with IndyCars when the Verizon IndyCar Series raced at Richmond International Raceway and New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

Whelen Modified Tour champions

Click here for a list of all champions including 1948–84 National Modified champions.

Year Driver Team owner Wins Number Make Sponsor Chassis
2016 Doug Coby Mike Smeriglio III 5 2 Chevrolet Dunleavy's Truck & Trailer Repair/A&J Romano Construction LFR
2015 Doug Coby Mike Smeriglio III 7 2 Chevrolet Dunleavy's Truck & Trailer Repair/A&J Romano Construction/HEX Performance LFR
2014 Doug Coby Mike Smeriglio III 1 2 Chevrolet/Ford Dunleavy's Truck & Trailer Repair/A&J Romano Construction/HEX Performance Troyer
2013 Ryan Preece Eric Sanderson/Flamingo Motorsports 4 16 Ford East West Marine/Diversified Metals Troyer
2012 Doug Coby Wayne Darling 5 52 Chevrolet Sims Metal Management/Reynolds Auto Wrecking/Seekonk Grand Prix Troyer
2011 Ron Silk Ed Partridge 3 6 Chevrolet T.S. Haulers/Calverton Tree Farm Troyer
2010 Bobby Santos Bob Garbarino/Mystic Missile Racing 4 v4 Dodge Mystic River Marina Troyer
2009 Donny Lia Bob Garbarino/Mystic Missile Racing 4 v4 Dodge Mystic River Marina Troyer
2008 Ted Christopher Eddie Whalen 4 36 Chevrolet Al-Lee Installations Troyer
2007 Donny Lia Bob Garbarino/Mystic Missile Racing 6 v4 Dodge Mystic River Marina Troyer
2006 Mike Stefanik Eric Sanderson/Flamingo Motorsports 1 16 Pontiac Diversified Metals Troyer
2005 Tony Hirschman, Jr. Bob and Tom Kehley 5 48 Chevrolet Kamco Supply Troyer
2004 Tony Hirschman, Jr. Bob and Tom Kehley 4 48 Chevrolet Kamco Supply Troyer
2003 Todd Szegedy Don Barker 4 50 Ford Haynes Materials Chassis Dynamics
2002 Mike Stefanik Art Barry 2 21 Chevrolet Lombardi's Inside-Out Spafco
2001 Mike Stefanik Art Barry 3 21 Chevrolet New England Egg Spafco
2000 Jerry Marquis Mario Fiore 5 44 Pontiac Teddy Bear Pools Troyer
1999 Tony Hirschman, Jr. Gary Cretty 6 25 Dodge ATC Stefanik
1998 Mike Stefanik Peter Beal/Charlie Bacon 13 x6 Chevrolet Burnham Boilers Stefanik
1997 Mike Stefanik Peter Beal/Charlie Bacon 10 x6 Chevrolet Burnham Boilers Stefanik
1996 Tony Hirschman, Jr. Lenny Boehler/BRE Racing 3 3 Chevrolet BRE Racing BRE
1995 Tony Hirschman, Jr. Lenny Boehler/BRE Racing 1 3 Chevrolet BRE Racing BRE
1994 Wayne Anderson Lenny Boehler/BRE Racing 1 3 Chevrolet BRE Racing BRE
1993 Rick Fuller Curt Chase Racing 2 77 Pontiac Polar Beverages Spafco
1992 Jeff Fuller Sheba Racing 6 8 Chevrolet Sunoco Race Fuels Troyer
1991 Mike Stefanik Jack Koszela 5 15 Pontiac Auto Palace / ADAP Stefanik
1990 Jamie Tomaino Danny Ust 1 U2 Pontiac Danny's Market Troyer
1989 Mike Stefanik Jack Koszela 7 15 Chevrolet Koszela Speed Stefanik
1988 Mike McLaughlin Sherwood Racing Team 5 12 Chevrolet Sherri-Cup RaceWorks
1987 Jimmy Spencer Frank Cicci Racing 6 24 Oldsmobile Apple House Trucking / Quick Stop Beverage Troyer
1986 Jimmy Spencer Frank Cicci Racing 4 24 Oldsmobile Apple House Trucking / Quick Stop Beverage Troyer
1985 Richie Evans B.R.DeWitt 12 61 Chevrolet DeWitt Construction Evans

Whelen Modified Tour Rookie of the Year Award winners

Year Driver
2016 Matthew Swanson
2015 Chase Dowling
2014 Timmy Solomito
2013 Cole Powell
2012 Keith Rocco
2011 Patrick Emerling
2010 Justin Bonsignore
2009 Eric Goodale
2008 Glen Reen
2007 Richard Savary
2006 James W. Civali
2005 Tyler Haydt
2004 Ken Barry
2003 Donny Lia
2002 Todd Szegedy
2001 Ricky Miller
2000 Michael Boehler
1999 Dave Pecko
Year Driver
2016 Melissa Fifield
2015 Melissa Fifield
2014 Melissa Fifield
2013 Mike Stefanik
2012 Ryan Preece
2011 Justin Bonsignore
2010 Ted Christopher
2009 Ted Christopher
2008 Ted Christopher
2007 Todd Szegedy
2006 Tony Hirschman Jr.
2005 Tony Hirschman Jr.
2004 Tom Baldwin
2003 Tom Baldwin
2002 Ed Flemke Jr.
2001 Mike Stefanik
2000 Rick Fuller
1999 Reggie Ruggiero
1998 Mike Stefanik
1997 Mike Stefanik
1996 Steve Park
1995 Steve Park
1994 Jeff Fuller
1993 Jeff Fuller
1992 Jeff Fuller
1991 Satch Worley
1990 Satch Worley
1989 Reggie Ruggiero
1988 Reggie Ruggiero
1987 Jamie Tomaino
1986 Jamie Tomaino
1985 Mike McLaughlin
Year Driver
1984 Brian Ross
1983 Richie Evans
1982 Richie Evans
1981 Richie Evans
1980 Richie Evans
1979 Richie Evans
1978 Richie Evans
1977 Harry Gant
1976 Jerry Cook
1975 Richie Evans
1974 Richie Evans
1973 Richie Evans
1972 Bugs Stevens
1971 Bugs Stevens
1970 Ray Hendrick
1969 Ray Hendrick
1968 Red Farmer
1967 Al Grinnan
1966 Runt Harris
1965 Bobby Allison

NASCAR Modified all-time top 10 drivers

The following drivers were named to the NASCAR Modified all-time top 10 list in 2003 :

  1. Richie Evans – Evans won nine modified titles between 1973 and 1985, a championship total that was unmatched in all of NASCAR until Stefanik's championship in 2006, 52 wins in 84 NASCAR and unsanctioned events in 1979[5]
  2. Mike Stefanik – seven WMT and two Busch North championships
  3. Jerry Cook – six NASCAR National Modified Championships in the 1970s, helped direct the series' changes as series director in 1985
  4. Ray Hendrick – raced "anything, anywhere" from the 1950s to 1970s
  5. Geoff Bodine – in the Guinness Book of World Records for winning 55 modified races in 1978
  6. Tony Hirschman, Sr. – has won five WMT championships
  7. Bugs Stevens – won three consecutive NASCAR National Modified Championships, in 1967–69
  8. Fred DeSarro – 1970 NASCAR National Modified champion
  9. Jimmy Spencer – 1986 and 1987 WMT champion
  10. Reggie Ruggiero – the "best driver to never win a championship", his 44 victories rank him second to Stefanik since the modern era began in 1985

Notes and references

  1. Jeremy, Davidson. "NASCAR Featherlight Modified Series - Turning 20". Automotive.com. Retrieved 28 September 2010.
  2. 2006 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Media Guide. NASCAR, Daytona Beach, Florida, USA.
  3. http://www.livinglegendsofautoracing.com/drivers_pages/drivers_red_by.html
  4. 1 2 "Through the Years at Shangri-La: The Final Chapter". Monnat, Michael E. Gater Racing News, August 26, 2005.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Bourcier, Bones. RICHIE!: The Fast Life and Times of NASCAR's Greatest Modified Driver (1st ed., 2004). Newburyport, Massachusetts, USA: Coastal 181. ISBN 0-9709854-6-0
  6. Jewett, Larry: "Innovations in Safety", Stock Car Racing (ISSN 0734-7340), Vol. 35, No. 5 (May 2000), pp. 62–63.

See also

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