Ryan Preece Leads The Way In Whelen Modified Tour Practice At Thompson Speedway

THOMPSON – Ryan Preece kicked off a NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour championship hunting weekend at Thompson Speedway in style Saturday.

Ryan Preece (Photo: Getty Images for NASCAR)

Preece, of Berlin, set the fast time in Whelen Modified Tour practice at Thompson Speedway.

Preece set a fast lap of 18.610 seconds (120.903 mph) during practice Saturday in preparation for Sunday’s season ending World Series 150 at Thompson.

Preece goes into the final Whelen Modified Tour event of the season with a 26-point advantage over Doug Coby of Milford in the standings. Preece needs only to finish 22nd or better in Sunday’s race to clinch his first series title.

The 22-year old Preece is looking to become the youngest champion since the division’s inception in 1985.

Preece, who has a series high four victories in 13 events this year is looking for his first pole win of the season. Time trial qualifying is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. at Thompson.

Bobby Santos of Franklin, Mass. was second fastest during the practice session with a fast lap of 18.641 seconds (120.702 mph). Cole Powell of Mt Brydges, Ontario was third fastest during practice at 18.656 seconds (120.605 mph).

Coby was 15th out of the 29 cars on hand for practice.