The 2021 season proved to be a career year on the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour for driver Patrick Emerling.
The Orchard Park, N.Y. driver recorded three victories in 14 Whelen Modified Tour events and went to the final race of the season in contention for the series title. Emerling ended up second in the series standings, 22 points behind champion Justin Bonsignore.
When the 2021 season ended Emerling had hopes of returning to the series to make another run at the title in 2022, but now the focus is shifting for the 29-year old Modified racing veteran.
Emerling announced recently that he will team up with NASCAR Cup Series regular Joey Gase to form Emerling-Gase Motorsports. It will mean a move to Mooresville, N.C. for Emerling, who will focus on operation of the new program.
“I really enjoy running Modifieds,” Emerling said on the latest edition of Unmuffled. “Whenever it makes sense to run Modifieds then that’s what we’re going to do. I’d definitely like to run Modifieds whenever possible. … Running the Whelen Modified Tour would be pretty unlikely with what we’ve got going on here. … I’m going to be down there [with Emerling-Gase Racing] and putting my main focus into that.”
To hear about lots more about Emerling’s plans with the Xfinity Series, how the team came together and much more listen in on the latest edition of Unmuffled.
Love Emerling. He’s definitely Xfinity ready in demeanor and driving skills.
How they split up the driving in the new team ?????????. Is Patrick going to be racing modifieds and how many events ??????. All the right questions were asked but still a lot of ?????????.
Last Unmuffled he was getting the car ready for New Smyrna and a run at the NWMT title and now the pivot. I’d bet we’ll see Patrick in a modified. Betting his own 07 and/or Ted Anderson’s 1 in open races. That’s a question too who will drive the 1 if not Emerling?
Racers race and Emerling is a racer. If you see him scratching as he watches from the pit at the Xfinity races it may just be the modified itch he won’t be able to shake for very long.
Has anyone else besides Bonsignore officially committed to the full WMT tour? At the rate things are going he will repeat as champion by going to all the WMT events!
fast eddie – don’t count out Melissa
In that deep Ahhhnold voice, “I’LL BE BACK.”
Hey, anybody heard from knuckles baloney? He needs to pay attention to the news… N95, KN95 and respirators are now being recommended for protection against omicron, the latest manifestation of the COVID-19 virus.
Where do the Emerling’s get the Money for this type of Operation…? do they have a HUGE business ? Hate to see Top Talented Drivers in contention for Championships leave the Tour … But hey, good Luck at 29 years old it’s worth a shot ….
His family owns a car dealership I believe.
Emerling’s own Buffalo Auto Auctions.
Thank you , Bigorange61 & Diet Bud ,,….. Auto Auctions really bring in the green along with car Dealerships…..