The Hunters: Ryan Preece And Ron Silk Ready For Whelen Modified Tour Title Chase At Thompson

THOMPSON – Of the three drives chasing a NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour championship Sunday in the World Series of Speedway Racing 150 at Thompson International Speedway, only Ron Silk can take the “Been there, done that” attitude into event.

Ron Silk waits for the start of Whelen Modified Tour practice Saturday at Thompson Speedway

Silk came into last year’s season finale at Thompson as the points leader, crashed in the event, but rallied back to secure his first series title.

Asked what he learned last year in the final race, Silk was succinct.

“Don’t crash,” the Norwalk driver said.

Silk goes into Sunday’s event third in the standings, 18 points behind leader Doug Coby. Ryan Preece is second in the standings, 17 points behind Coby.

“We’ll just see how the beginning of the race goes,” Silk said. “My car drove awesome today in practice right from the beginning and it was good in [time trials] so I’m pretty confident about Sunday.”

Silk will start third Sunday. Preece starts fourth and Coby starts ninth.

“Really it’s just another race,” Silk said. “It’s about kind of keeping yourself in control. I know last year I was really nervous.”

“I’m third [in the standings], I can’t finish any worse that I already am so we’re just going to go and try to win the race and whatever happens happens. It’s been a pretty good year. We’ve tried a whole bunch of different stuff with motors and cars. To really be in the hunt, it’s another good year.”

Preece is in his first full season driving for Flamingo Motorsports. He replaced seven-time series champion Mike Stefanik in the ride starting with last year’s season finale. “Just win” is the mantra for Preece.

“Just lead laps and win the race,” Preece said. “That’s the mindset. There’s nothing really much that I can do other than that unless Doug has the worse day possible. But the way they’ve been running this year it’s not going to be likely.”