When it was announced in late January that Doug Coby would drive full-time in 2023 for Tommy Baldwin Jr. on the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, many around the landscape of Northeast short tracks surmised you could probably engrave the championship trophy early.
With a three driver stable in 2022 – which included Coby – Tommy Baldwin Racing was the dominant force on the series on the way to Baldwin running away with the division’s owner’s championship. Many figured putting the six-time series champion Coby in the seat full-time would mean automatic domination.
But it was a slower than expected start for the team in 2023. After winning the pole for the season opener at New Smyrna on Feb. 11. That was followed by a 13th place finish for Coby at Richmond (Va.) Raceway in the season’s second event on March 31.
Saturday at Monadnock Speedway in Winchester, N.H. the dominate Coby many had been expecting showed up.
Coby, of Milford, went past Justin Bonsignore for the lead on lap 13 and never trailed again on the way to victory in the Whelen Modified Tour Duel at the Doug 200 at the quarter-mile Monadnock Speedway.
“I’m a Quarter Midget kid man,” Coby said. Silver City [Quarter Midget Club in Meriden] is opening their season today. A tight little bullring. That’s where you start when you’re five or six years old and learn how to get around these quarter miles. I’ll tell you what, I’ve won at the big race tracks, but it’s the little one’s that mean the most and really make me think of my roots and where I started. These quarter mile tracks are so tough.
“We had a dominate car today. … [Baldwin] brought some great adjustments for practice since we weren’t happy last year. We had to try some stuff. And we went back to his first setup. He’s always right. He’s usually right. This thing was just awesome.”
It was the 35th career Whelen Modified Tour victory for Coby, of Milford. It was Coby’s second victory in nine series starts at Monadnock. He also won at the track in July 2015. Coby joins Bonsignore as only the second multi-time series winner at Monadnock over 15 events at the facility since 1986. Bonsignore has won four times at the track.
“It’s so technical, it’s so hard,” Coby said. “I wish everybody could drive a Modified around here and see what you have to do get these things last for 200 laps.”
With his 35th career victory Coby joined Bonsignore and Tony Hirschman Jr. in a three-way tie for fourth place on the Whelen Modified Tour all-time win list. Mike Stefanik (74 wins), Reggie Ruggiero (44 wins) and Ted Christopher (42 wins) make up the top three on the list.
Jon McKennedy of Chelmsford, Mass. was second and Ron Silk of Norwalk third.
“[Baldwin] and [Coby] … were in a league of their own,” McKennedy said. “They we really strong.”
Said Silk: “We missed it. It was a little bit too tight for the race. It was tight through the center [of the corners] the whole time. But it was a decent day and it was nothing to be ashamed of. We are coming back here later in the year. We will make some adjustments based on how we ran today and hopefully we will be a little better.”
Austin Beers of Northampton, Pa. was fourth and Bonsignore, of Holtsville, N.Y., fifth.
“I had to fend those guys off on the restarts,” Coby said. [Bonsignore] was pretty nice to me the one or two times he got under me. Probably thought it was a little too early to the push the issue. We race each other hard and sometimes you’ve got to know when it’s time to push and when it’s not. I knew with 50 to go he wasn’t going to lift the next he got under me. We just had enough car to drive away and clear the lapped cars.”
The fourth and final caution flew on lap 144. Silk battled Coby on the outside for two laps following the lap 150 restart, but Coby was able to defend the top spot and then check out from the field, leaving those behind him in a feisty battle for the top-five spots.
Bonsignore was able to overtake Silk for second on lap 153 with McKennedy following to third. McKennedy moved by Bonsignore for second on lap 193. With three laps left Bonsignore and Silk were waging battle for the last spot on the podium. Silk won the fight, with Beers overtaking Bonsignore for fourth on the final lap.
Silk’s car had a crushed back end in the inspection area following the race.
“[Bonsignore] ran over it coming to the checkered,” Silk said. “I do not know what happened.”
Silk and Beers came into the event tied at the top of the Whelen Modified Tour standings after two events, with Bonsignore third, one point off the lead and Coby fourth, 12 points behind the top spot.
Unofficially, Silk left Monadnock at the top of the standings by one point over Beers, with Bonsignore two points behind Silk in third. Coby remained in fourth but cut his deficit behind the lead from 12 points to five points.
Unofficial Results of the Whelen Modified Tour Duel at the Dog 200 at Monadnock Speedway (click to enlarge)
Even more evidence that Coby has learned to drive in traffic?
Dug…. LOL….. W/ Checkered Flag/ Winners Check/ Trophy.
Raft fan wrote, “Even more evidence that Coby has learned to drive in traffic?”
Indeed, more evidence that Coby has learned to drive in traffic, with less wrecking. It has taken quite a long time, but it is finally happening.
😝 😆 😂 🤣🤪😜🙃😛
🎯 🎯 🎯 🎯 🎯 🎯 🎯 🎯
@DuhReal….. I’m not a Coby fan but “Finally”???….. Gee maybe he will win a Title one of these days…. LOL
Talk about traffic. Silk with a clear handling advantage executes a dandy pass on the 51 at the end but not before poor Woody finds himself in the middle of the fray trying to find a way to not be a part of their battle. Looked like Bonsignor was ready to plant some metal on Silk but the 16 too good, the dip down to take the position leaving hurt feelings in his wake.
Like he didn’t no how to drive traffic when he won there in 2015 or 3 10.000 dollar wins at Seekonk or 3 wins at Riverhead and one at Lee Goodfella with another outstanding observation
Excellent racing, best Nascar race of the weekend (no surprise). Hirschman was a head scratcher, can’t remember the last time they looked that far off. Loved the battle at the end between the 16 & 51, hopefully more of that to come.
I thought the 79 easily passed the 16 & 51 and no mention of how good he came on at the end. Seems like his car came to him a little too late…what’s the defending champ have to do for some respect?
“no mention of how good he came on at the end”
We were waiting for you and have to say you did a heck-of-a-job by gum.
GAWLEE, THANK YAH SIR!
SMH
Should I sit here and wait for the Adults to reply? LOL
Not so fast… 7NY penalty …
From the NASCAR site:
“Following Saturday’s NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour race at Monadnock Speedway, the No. 7 Tommy Baldwin Racing modified driven by Doug Coby was issued a penalty as a result of post-race inspection.
The rules infraction is as follows:
Penalty Level: P3
20D – 12.1 Coil Springs A.6. After the vehicle has cleared pre-qualifying or Pre-race technical inspection, one (1) coil spring rubber insert, not to exceed one (1) full coil of the front coil spring, acceptable to NASCAR Officials, will be permitted.
Crew chief Tommy Baldwin was issued a $1,500 fine and was suspended from the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour until the fine is paid. Baldwin is also under NASCAR probation until December 31, 2023.”
NASCAR finally caught on to the flux capacitor, missed the spring rubber.
Wait until the Sizzler. I predict more will be caught cheating! Its now rampant.
da real should be able to explain Hirschman’s woes after all he labeled him a a bullring specialist. as for the 7.. a clear rules violation…a ridiculous application of the penalty. selective enforcement of penalties by NASCAR has lost them ANY credibility PERIOD.