Justin Bonsignore Tops SMART Tour At North Wilkesboro; Luke Baldwin Gets Series Title 

Justin Bonsignore made his debut with the SMART Tour one to remember on Saturday at North Wilkesboro Speedway 

Bonsignore held off the challenges of Luke Baldwin and Matt Hirschman over the closing laps to win the 99-lap SMART Tour feature at North Wilkesboro. 

Bonsignore, of Holtsville, N.Y., dominated at the front for most of the event before Hirschman closed on his bumper in the final two laps. 

“Matt Hirschman is the ultimate at these tire saving races. He was charging hard there” Bonsignore said. “… We just got really free racing hard. … I think if that was anybody besides Matt Hirschman on the last lap we’re probably in the fence. Big kudo’s to him and how much respect he has when he races people.

Bonsignore will run in Sunday’s NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour event at North Wilkesboro. 

Hirschman, of Northampton, Pa., was second and Luke Baldwin of Mooresville, N.C. was third. 

The third place finish clinched the SMART Tour championship for Baldwin, a rookie in the division. 

The 18-year old Baldwin is the son of former NASCAR Cup Series crew chief and team owner and longtime Tour Type Modified team owner Tommy Baldwin Jr. and the grandson of former Modified standout Tommy Baldwin Sr. 

“Four years ago I was sitting in my room playing iRacing praying for something like this,” Baldwin said. “I can’t believe it.” 

Baldwin celebrated on track wearing the hat of his former crew member Glen Dixon who passed away earlier this season. 

“This one goes out for my buddy [Glenn Dixon],” Baldwin said. “This is his bucket hat. We miss him like hell. He was with me tonight.”