Rob Summers
Over the last decade racing a SuperModified has taken precedent over running Modifieds for Rob Summers.
In 2016 the Manchester driver will change that up.
Summers will replace Anthony Nocella with the Mike Murphy owned KLM Motorsports NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour team for the 2016 season.
“Rob is going to drive for us and we’re really looking forward to it,” Murphy said. “He has a a lot of experience. He’s done so many things. I remember racing against him racing [SK Modifieds] at the New London-Waterford Speedbowl and he won the championship [in 2005] and Ron finished second. We’ll see how it goes. Hopefully it works out good for us.”
Summers last ran full-time on the Whelen Modified Tour in 2006 for former team owner Guy Ronzoni.
“I’m looking forward to it,” Summers said. “It’s a nice change, something different. I missed it, but I thoroughly enjoyed running the [SuperModified] and I probably would have continued, it’s just that the schedule now is basically a lot of the races are in the Midwest and Canada and with my son, the travelling is pretty brutal.”
Nocella replaced Ron Yuhas Jr. in the KLM Motorsports ride for the 2015 season after Yuhas was injured in a crash at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in September 2014.
Murphy said Yuhas will serve as the team’s crew chief.
“Mike is a great guy and they’ve got all the pieces to the puzzle,” Summers said. “They’ve got good equipment, a nice shop. It’s just a matter of putting all the pieces together that we need and I think we can do well.”
Summers has 132 Whelen Modified Tour starts dating back to 1998. He last ran a series event in 2013 and made 30 starts between 2007 and 2013. He has 14 top-fives and 27 top-10’s over his career.
Summers said he plans on continuing to run a SuperModified part-time in addition to running full-time with the Whelen Modified Tour.
“I’m still going to run the races that are close, Oswego [Speedway in Oswego, N.Y.], Star [Speedway in Epping, N.H] and [the New London-Waterford Speedbow], things that are easy to get to,” Summers said.
Star is the same night as WMT race at Seekonk. Might be an issue if running full WMT schedule.
Blast from the past, always a top shoe .he can win some races…..
What’s going with Ronnie Yuhas as a driver???? Is he all done?? Is he ever coming back?? Will he ever race anything????
I talked with Ronnie at the tour race at the Speedbowl. I have known Ronnie, and his dad for many years. When I asked Ronnie about a return, he had the “not sure”, “we’ll see what happens” responses. He said it is no big deal if he drives again, or not. He has always had that “laid-back” personality. I believe he is medically cleared to return.
Just a good all around nice guy!