Ryan Preece Big Gainer In NASCAR Whelen All-American Series National Standings

The top three spots in the NASCAR Whelen All-American national standings were unchanged this week, but behind them Ryan Preece was making a run toward the front.

Preece, of Berlin, was the big gainer in the standings this week, going from sixth to fourth nationally with a points gain of 21 for the week.

Preece, who competes in an SK Modified at Stafford Motor Speedway and Thompson International and in a Tour Type Modified at Riverhead (N.Y.) Raceway, has 673 points based on nine victories, 18 top-five’s and 22 top-10’s over 27 starts. Preece won last Friday at Stafford Motor Speedway.

Lee Pulliam, who has been at the top of the standings all year, remained there. The reigning national champion, from Semora, N.C., did not gain any points this week. He has 753 points based on 17 victories and 27 top-fives and 28 top-10’s in 30 starts this year between South Boston (Va.) Speedway, Southern National Motorsports Park in Kenly, N.C. and Caraway Speedway in Sophia, N.C.

Like Pulliam, second place Deac McCaskill, of Raleigh, N.C., remained the same this week with 745 points. McCaskill, has 11 victories, 21 top-five’s and 26 top-10’s in 27 starts between South Boston Speedway, Southern National Motorsports Park and Motor Mile in Radford, Va.

Keith Rocco of Wallingford is third in the national standings with 692 points, a gain of two points from last week.

Rocco, the 2010 national champion who runs full-time in the SK Modified divisions at Stafford, the Waterford Speedbowl and Thompson International Speedway has 10 victories, 20 top-fives and 27 top-10’s in 32 starts this year.

Under the point structure for the NASCAR All-American Series, a race winner receives two points for every car in the event up to 20 cars. Second place receives two fewer points and so on through the field. Race winners receive an additional five points. For example, if 20 cars are in the field, the winner receives 45 points, second place 38 and third 36. If there are 15 cars, the winner receives 35 points, second 28 and third, 26.

A driver’s best 18 results through the Sept. 15 closing date count toward their state and national point totals. Champions are decided on overall point total. Once a driver reaches 18 starts, their point total increases incrementally as they replace poorer runs with better results.

Todd Ceravolo of Gales Ferry, who runs Thompson and Waterford, fell from eighth to ninth nationally. Ceravolo has 575 points.

Ted Christopher of Plainville, the 2001 national champion who runs at Stafford and Waterford, jumped from 13th to 10th nationally with 568 points.