(Press Release from JDV Productions)
Two-time NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour winner Patrick Emerling will lead a stout field of challengers to the next event on the tour schedule, next Saturday, June 12, at Oswego Speedway. In the Steel Palace 150, Emerling will look to maintain a scant one-point advantage in the championship standings over two-time and defending champion Justin Bonsignore.
The Oswego event is the second of three during the 2021 season that will be promoted by Josh Vanada and the entire team at JDV Productions. The team is coming off a strong day at Jennerstown Speedway on May 29, celebrating the life of fallen heroes in the Jennerstown Salutes 150 presented by DGV, won by Bonsignore.
Emerling is no stranger to the .625-mile oval — having competed at the historic track four times previously in Whelen Modified Tour action, with a best finish of fifth in 2016. Emerling also has a victory in the Race of Champions Modified Tour at Oswego and has plenty of laps at the tricky New York track.
“It really is,” Emerling said of the track being a bit of its own character. “The boiler plate on the inside wall is a little bit different. There are a few little things to know about it… one of the faster tracks we go to for sure.”
The Orchard Park, New York, native is off to the best start in his Whelen Modified Tour career this season. Emerling finished eighth in the season-opener at Martinsville Speedway on April 8, and followed it up with his second career win in the rain-shortened NAPA Spring Sizzler at Stafford Motor Speedway on April 30. Since then, Emerling has finished second (Riverhead Raceway) and fifth (Jennerstown Speedway) to maintain the series points lead in chase of his first title.
“That’s kind of the way you want things to go, to run consistently in the front and the last couple of years we just struggled,” Emerling said. “We were positive we were better than where we ended up. We had a ton of flat tires… everything that could go wrong, went wrong. But, this year, we’ve been keeping it clean and turning it on. We got caught up in a wreck at Martinsville but turned it into a solid day to open the season, won at Stafford, and it’s been good.”
Emerling is starting to consider entering points racing mode — with four races complete and 10 races remaining — as he looks to capture his first Whelen Modified Tour title this year.
“After the last race and going into Oswego, it might change a few decisions in the race. Instead of going for something, you might play the conservative side of the strategy,” Emerling said, “It may affect the way we race. We just want to keep building and getting the cars better and getting better across the board. I’m really happy with where we are at right now, especially our pit stops. At Jennerstown, we came in outside the top-five and came out first on the pit stop. That’s huge for us.”
His chemistry with crew chief Jan Leaty is nearly the best it has ever been — and he’s looking forward to chasing the championship over the rest of the season at some different — and in Emerling’s words — more “neutral” tracks.
“You try to be on the same page with each other and get the results, that’s what we have been focused on,” Emerling said. “We are looking forward to heading to Oswego. I’m excited with the whole schedule for the Whelen Modified Tour this year, honestly. Oswego, Lancaster, Jennerstown, Richmond… some more neutral tracks this year and that always helps me out. I can’t thank my sponsors, Captain Pips Marina & Hideaway, Emerling Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, and everyone involved in Emerling Motorsports enough for all their help and support.”
The Saturday, June 12, race day will also include the Oswego Supermodifieds to wrap a full racing card. NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour practice will take place from 3-4 p.m., with Mayhew Tools pole qualifying set for 6 p.m. The drop of the green flag in the Steel Palace 150 will be set for 7:30 p.m. For those who can’t make it to the track, the race will also air via a live stream on NBC Sports Gold.
Advance tickets are now available at JDVProductions.com for $40 per person. Tickets will also be available at the track on race day. Pit pass sales will also be open to the public at the track.
For more information on Oswego Speedway, visit OswegoSpeedway.com. For more information on the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, visit nascar.com. For more information on JDV Productions, visit JDVProductions.com.
I hope Jon McKennedy can Win Both Features…… I wonder if Jon will TOW his very FAST SUPER along??? &&&& Tom Baldwin Racing can haul the Tour Mod 7NY up …. That would be very Interesting..
Pat, enjoy it while it lasts. Once Kobe takes the week off from Oswego and runs SRX at Stafford, JBon will be on cruise control to another championship. Team 51 has consistency like no other team, and that is what it takes.
No word from Hirschman yet aye?
NWMT Top Ten (4 Races)
Emerling, J Bonsignor, Coby, Goodale, K Bonsignor, Catalano, Pitkat, McKennedy, Lutz, Silk
Tri Track Top Ten (2 Races)
Looks like a pretty formidable list of heavy hitters to me and there will be a race at Oswego in spite of the lynch mob Sapienza set in motion. Let me amend that the lynch mob is always on the prowl he just re energized it. One that affectively accuses all those drivers and their owners of being a bunch of pussies too afraid to say anything when they are dissatisfied. Coby, Stuart, Massa, Pitkat just wilting violates they say and the only real man Dave Sapienza. Sure go with that.
Meanwhile in the aftermath of the race Coby is liking the points position of his 10 and on the horn to Dowling to pilot his car to keep him in the owners championship hunt. Bonsignor and Coby are busting each others chops on Facebook with Pitkat chiming in all in good fun. Seems not everyone is as incensed about whatever happened or didn’t happen at Jennerstown as the Long Island grump.
So Vanada’s group puts out this feel good promo for the Oswego race which is what you’d expect and doing their job right on schedule. See here’s the thing that I really don’t get and we’ve seen it all before. Sapienza sets the narrative and the fans fall in line which they should. Mainly because owners spend mega money to entertain us and should always get the benefit of the doubt but there is another side to this story. Vanada is letting Sapienza plant a big old turd out there in the racing community and it’s just sitting there stinking to high heaven. Wilson has done it as well staying silent. Why would you not get on the horn to Courchesne or someone in the media and make your case. You don’t have to be confrontational just state the facts. Unmuffled would be perfect.
As of now the lynch mob is still on the prowl. Makes no difference if the guy getting them all worked up who has championship caliber equipment and his team a couple muskets with him not driving would likely put in yet another ho hum performance. What the mob wants hearing no other story except Sapienza’s is to see the JDV Productions race at Oswego lay an egg.
No comment thinking you’re taking the high road is a proven loser.