(Press Release from NASCAR Integrated Marketing Communications)
Two staple events remain on the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour schedule for 2019.
Up first, teams will head back to Stafford Motor Speedway in Connecticut for the annual NAPA Fall Final, where the track will also wrap their NASCAR Whelen All-American Series season.
The most important headline entering the NAPA Fall Final 150? The championship battle.
It’s a two-man race, with Doug Coby looking for his sixth NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour title and Justin Bonsignore seeking his second straight. Coby leads by 21 points entering the half-mile, and has quite the resume at the Connecticut track.
On top of his two NASCAR Whelen All-American Series division titles at Stafford, Coby has 12 victories in Whelen Modified Tour action, including a checkered flag in the NAPA Spring Sizzler earlier this year. In August, Coby led the first 152 laps of the Stafford 150, a race that went into NASCAR overtime, but didn’t win. He finished third.
Bonsignore, on the other hand, doesn’t list Stafford as one of his best tracks. He is winless in 36 starts, but seems to have found the speed that could translate to a win. In his last five Stafford starts, he’s qualified inside the top four. He’s finished sixth in the last two races there, but run inside the top five consistently. With the gap standing at 21 points, he’s going to need to make something happen at Coby’s home track.
Behind them, still mathematically in contention, Ron Silk (-64pts) and Craig Lutz (-77 points) are both hoping that they can pull off a miracle. Lutz has finished inside the top 10 in his last eight Stafford races, including two second-place efforts. Lutz also has nine consecutive top 10 finishes this season.
Coming off a major triumph at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in the second annual Musket 250, Bobby Santos III and car owner Dave Sapienza will look to keep their momentum rolling into Stafford, a place where Santos is quite familiar with Victory Lane. The Franklin, Massachusetts, former series champion has six wins in 38 starts at the Arute-family owned track.
RACE FACTS
| RACE | NAPA FALL FINAL 150 |
|---|---|
| PLACE | Stafford Motor Speedway, Stafford, Connecticut |
| DATE | Sunday, September 29 |
| TIME | 3:15 p.m. ET (approx.) |
| TELEVISION | NBCSN, Friday, October 4, 7 p.m. — FansChoice.TV (Live Broadcast) — 3:15 p.m. (approx.) |
| TRACK LAYOUT | Half-mile paved oval |
| 2018 WINNER | Kyle Bonsignore |
| 2018 POLE | Justin Bonsignore |
| EVENT SCHEDULE | RACEDAY SCHEDULE: Saturday: Garage Opens: 8:15 a.m., Practice: 11-11:40 a.m., Final Practice: 12:20-1 p.m., Qualifying: 2:30 p.m.Sunday: Garage Opens: 8:30 a.m., Autograph Session: 11-12 p.m., NAPA Fall Final 150: 3:15 p.m. (approx.) |
| @StaffordSpeedwy, @NASCARHomeTrack | |
| HASHTAG | #NAPAFallFinal, #NWMT |
CREW CHIEF HANDOUT:
The starting field for the NAPA Fall Final 150 is 33 starters, including provisional positions. The first 27 drivers will secure starting positions through the qualifying process. The remaining six positions will be awarded through the provisional process.
NASCAR group qualifying is in place for this event. Qualifying order will be determined by each vehicle’s fastest single lap from the official practice session(s). The number of groups for qualifying will be determined by NASCAR. Each group qualifying session will be five (5) minutes in duration and the fastest single lap speed of each vehicle will determine starting positions 1st through 27th. Adjustments or repairs may not be made on a vehicle after the vehicle enters the track to begin the qualifying session. Vehicles may not return to the track or make any further qualifying laps unless directed to do so by a NASCAR Official or in the event of a caution. Once a vehicle’s qualifying attempt is complete, the vehicle must proceed directly to the designated impound area once it enters pit road.
The maximum tire allotment available for this event is eleven (11) tires per team. Four (4) tires must be used for qualifying and to begin the race. The tire change rule is four (4) tires, any position.
Looks like Coby is on track for another championship. But, he’s got to have a solid showing in both remaining races, especially given Bonsignore’s record at Thompson. Hopefully he can pull this off, don’t want to see the 51 win it, and give Fury unearned credit for a championship.
Brutal turn around. Probably not a huge deal for the 2 and 51 given their stables but some of the teams campaigning one car may struggle a bit.
Thinking is Stafford is a Coby strength and Thompson a Bonsignor playground. Mostly has held up this year except for Coby winning the 8/14 race at Thompson.
Who’s run good at both races this year at Stafford? Coby, Silk and Lutz.
I’d think the Stuart team would bring the newer TA3 that won last time but who knows what their priority is now.
Prediction. No matter what happens with Coby if he’s interviewed he won’t use profanity.
No Amy and Blewett back in the 21? Any magic left for the 36? Bakaj doing double duty in the Lights and NWMT. Maybe Chase will hop in Kopcik’s old 31 and be in the SK feature. Other then that the points races will be the stars of this show.
Coby hasn’t had any bad luck this season… it’s coming.
Just another typical season on the NWMT… all the best talents are at the top of the standings. Same as always.