JR Bertuccio (Photo: NASCAR)
With a cast of heavy hitting Whelen Modified Tour regulars in the lineup, JR Bertuccio scored one for the underdogs Monday at New Smyrna Speedway in New Smyrna, Fla.
Bertuccio, of Centereach, N.Y., held off Matt Hirschman over the closing laps to win the 50-lap Tour Type Modified feature at the World Series of Asphalt Racing at New Smyrna Speedway.
The event marked the first of five consecutive nights of Tour Type Modified events at the track.
Hirschman, of Northampton, Pa., was second and Ryan Preece of Berlin third.
Bertuccio started fourth in the 24-car field. Jimmy Zacharias started second and quickly went to the lead, with Bertuccio tucking in behind him for second in the early going.
That order remained for the first half of the event, but following a lap 31 restart, Bertuccio was able to muscle under Zacharia for the lead, with Preece following to second.
Preece made multiple attempts to get by Bertuccio before losing second place to Hirschman on lap 46.
Jon McKennedy of Chelmsford, Mass. was fourth and Ron Silk of Norwalk fifth.
24 cars with 10 drivers legitimately capable of winning.. very relieving to see. I hope this is the beginning of an upswing because Speedweeks wasn’t looking very promising in recent years. It’s nice to see Bertuccio in victory lane too, he’s been around for a long time and has overcome a lot of adversity.
For sure, for too long it was Silk and Teddy and Chuck Hossfeld that kind of dominated.
JR ‘s got himself a fast hot rod down there and last night was not a fluke. Great field of
cars and yes It’s about time.
I don’t know when the last time was when there were 24 cars there on opening night. Great job J R nice to see you in victory lane.
Then he cries the next night when Ryan smokes him ! he turned into Ryan and JR and his girlfriend start….come on dude your out of your league , take your win and enjoy it , wont be another one this year . JR , you went to school except it. Well it’s great to the mods in action. Winter is almost over !!!! LIZ hope your surviving. peace all