Patrick Emerling rallied from an early mechanical mishap, went to the lead on lap 128 and never looked back on the way to victory in the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Thunder in the Mountains 200 at White Mountain Motorsports Park in North Woodstock, N.H. Sunday.
It was the second consecutive series victory for Emerling, of Orchard Park, N.Y., who picked up his first victory of the 2026 season in the last series race on July 10 at Claremont Motorsports Park.
“At the beginning of the season, we kind of had a little bit of a tough stretch where we weren’t running that bad but we weren’t running how we wanted to and we just knew that we just need to get in our groove and we could do our thing,” Emerling said. “… You know getting a rhythm and building momentum and getting our groove. That’s what takes you know, this series is so competitive. You need to get your groove and get confident to be able to pull these things off.”
It was the 11th career Whelen Modified Tour victory for Emerling.
Emerling was running near the front of the field when the air cleaner came off his car to bring out a caution on lap 45.
Reigning series champion Austin Beers of Northampton, Pa. was second second and rookie Paulie Hartwig III of Galloway, N.J. had a career best third place finish.
Coming into the race at White Mountain – the ninth of 16 events this year – Emerling led the series standings by five points over Beers with Jon McKennedy in third, nine points off the lead, and Stephen Kopcik fourth, 10 points off the top spot.
Kopcik was 11th at White Mountain, the last car on the lead lap. McKennedy was 12th the first car one lap down. Emerling ultimately left White Mountain with a 10-point lead over Beers in the standings. McKennedy and Kopcik now sit tied for third, 25 points behind Emerling.
Follow Us On Your Favorite Socials
Discover more from RaceDayCT.com
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Some days your the bug, some days your the windshield. Too many times the ONE team has been the bug but lady luck doesn’t give you the finger forever. What likely would been a deal breaker for most teams the ONE crew went work on the air cleaner and then made the call to take tires on that caution short pitting most of the field. Great call figuring with a short field and likely few cautions track position and their fast car would put them in contention at the end. Pat has really matured as driver and that team is jelling now and will be tough for the rest of the year IF they don’t play the bug thing. Congrats Pat Dale and the whole crew.