(Press Release from Thompson Speedway)
Current Monster Energy Cup Series Star Set To Run Sunoco Modified And Whelen Modified Tour Events
Current Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series star Ryan Preece is returning to his racing roots next week.
The Berlin, Connecticut, driver will compete in both the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Thompson 125 and the 30 lap Sunoco Modified feature next Wednesday, June 5 right here at Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park.
“It’s another chance for me to race, and I think that’s a huge part of it. I always enjoy going to this race,” Preece said. “Thompson and I have a love-hate relationship, where I have had some really good runs, but also a lot of bad luck, where things haven’t worked out.”
In 43 career Thompson starts in Whelen Modified Tour competition, Preece has three wins – one of them driving for Eric Sanderson and two for Ed Partridge. Next week, he will sit behind the wheel of the No. 6, owned by Partridge. He has been to Victory Lane in two of his last six Thompson starts, including the Thompson 125 back in 2017.
The car he will compete in for the Whelen Modified Tour race will be brand new for him on the track. He’s been working on the car down south to prepare it for action.
“It’s a place I enjoy racing at because it’s so difficult to position yourself at the end of the race to have the track position, but also have the speed,” Preece said. “It’s something I am looking forward to doing.”
In Sunoco Modified competition, Preece is no stranger to the front of the field. He has two championships in the competitive class in 2012 and 2014, and picked up a victory last year driving for the Moniz family, adding to a list of many checkered flags.
“The Sunoco Modified is still up in New England with the Moniz family, I’ve been running that car for about eight years, and it’s been a great relationship,” the JTG Daughtery Racing driver said.
Even though he will have just limited practice behind the wheel, the veteran of modified racing isn’t concerned about it.
“I feel confident in the setups we are bringing and the people that are preparing the cars. I have more than enough laps to know what I need,” Preece said. “It’s a tough place to race at, but I do feel confident that we will have some good cars.”
For Preece, one of the most important parts of returning to New England and his racing roots is coming home to see his hometown fans that have been watching him compete on the Cup circuit. In his first 13 starts this season, Preece has a best finish of third in Cup action at Talladega Superspeedway. He also was in the front draft at the finish of the Daytona 500 in February.
“I remember when I was younger and watching Tony Stewart come to Thompson and do a match race. Going there, from the Northeast, and from Connecticut, having raced weekly there and run the Whelen Modified Tour for many years, it’s something that I make a point to get back and show that I love the racing,” Preece said. “I want to continue to do it when I can.”
Preece isn’t going to be the only driver chasing the checkered flag in these two modified races next week. In the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Thompson 125, Justin Bonsignore looks to make it six Thompson victories in a row driving the No. 51 Phoenix Communications Chevrolet for Ken Massa. Names like Doug Coby, Timmy Solomito, Woody Pitkat and Ron Silk aren’t going to be far behind.
When the Whelen Modified Tour was in town for the Icebreaker back on April 7, Bonsignore beat Silk, Eric Goodale, Patrick Emerling and Coby to the finish line. The Thompson 125 is well known for the pit strategy teams will use during the race.
It will be important for fans to keep an eye on when cars pit early in the race, because it’s likely they will stay out in the second half while some of the leaders pit, creating thrilling final restarts. Bonsignore is the defending winner of the race.
In the Sunoco Modifieds, George Brunnhoelzl III adds to a star-studded field making a start for Justin Albernaz in a backup car. NASCAR K&N Pro Series East regular Max McLaughlin will begin to tune-up his Thompson driving line in the same feature, as the rising star will compete in a car for Keith Rocco Racing. Rocco and Ronnie Williams scored the first two wins of the year.
Drivers return to the track at Thompson on Wednesday, June 5, for the Thompson 125. The schedule includes qualifying and feature racing for all five NASCAR Whelen All-American Series divisions and the Whelen Modified Tour.
For more information, including the full schedule for this special event, fans are encouraged to visit www.thompsonspeedway.com. To keep up with the latest Thompson news, follow the track on social media via Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
That’s frustrating. Wanting to know more about the car he’s driving. New? Not the new Mike Paquette prepared car he had at New Smyrna? Or the same new car.
Well Doug, no matter what car it is, it will in all likelihood, be better than his pieces in cup.
You asked me earlier in the season, what I thought would be a successful season for him, and I told you top 15. Well, thats a long-shot by the looks of it now.
We all know he has the talent, and his partner in cup lately has shown great speed.
So, his return to Thompson this week, hopefully, brings success, and rejuvenates him. He’s gotta be frustrated at this point, I would think. I wish him well and will be there to cheer him on no matter what happens on Wednesday, no matter what car he drives. Fingers crossed.
Im excited to see him!! What a great driver and person!! Perhaps Woody should let him be his Idle.. i doubt Ryan will intentionally take out faster cars then him like Woody did last Thompson race!!!
You’d think Thompson would be promoting this more…NASCAR Cup rising star, Xfinity series winner, and hometown kid returns to his roots in a one-off hometrack modified start. I feel like I could sell Wednesday’s $50 ticket to any race fan just writing that sentence.
Thanks Robertfix for the reminder.
Points wise you may be right. However are you really being fair when viewing the bigger picture. Those finishes at Daytona and Talladega do accomplish major goals don’t they?
New Smyrna and now this visit locally is nice. Fairly of not anything short of winning at Thompson will be losing I’m sure for the ultra competitive Preece. But it isn’t nailing a top ten on a super speedway in front of millions of viewers.
Considering everything I rate the Cup season so far for Preece a B+.
Now about that car he will be driving at Thompson let me see if I can start some trouble. It’s not a Troyer is it? Yet at New Smyrna it had a version of the traditional Troyer paint scheme on it. I suspect because it had become a tradition with Partridge. Does any of that ruffle any feathers? Can Preece who clearly is a favorite son and invader all at the same time just show up with who knows what for equipment and blow the doors off of the king of Thompson lately one Mr. Justin Bonsignor. And Coby and others as well. And were he to do it what would that say about not only Preece’s driving ability but his insanely competent ability to put together a competitive ride from what amounts to a standing start.
There’s drama afoot here deeper then the mere presence of a Cup driver in a car with a familiar number.
Pretty sure he’ll be driving the new CD car. They’ve been working on the piece since last season, and he had a good outing in FLA. I don’t think it matters much though, he was always fast last season, just plagued by Gremlins. Wish I was attending, but have a prior commitment so I’ll rely on Raceday It’s coverage.