By: Jeremy Davidson By: Jeremy Davidson
ASHEBORO , N.C. ( March 26, 2005 ) – Ted Christopher, of Plainville , Conn. , was far from home Saturday at Caraway Speedway, yet returned to a very familiar location: victory lane. Christopher, a star driver on the northeastern-based NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, won the inaugural event for the NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour, leading a trio of northeastern Modified drivers who also finished in the top 10. New Jersey 's Jamie Tomaino finished third while Bath , N.Y. driver Alex Hoag finished sixth.
Jay Foley, of Stuart , Va. , led the opening 20 laps of the 150-lap race before finishing second and Junior Miller, known among fans as the “King of the Southern Modifieds ,” finished fourth. “I really like the track and I had a really good race car,” said Christopher. “It was just fun racing out there. Guys could use the outside lane when they wanted. It was a fun time.”
The outside line was indeed helpful to Christopher, who used the high groove to pass Foley for second position on lap 61. During a subsequent caution period, race leader Jay Hedgecock, of High Point , N.C. , pulled his car into the pits with an engine problem. Christopher inherited the lead and paced the field for the remaining laps.
“This means a whole lot,” said Christopher. “Anytime you can win the first one it's a good thing because everybody puts a lot of emphasis and effort into it.”
Christopher, who normally drives the Mystique Motorsports No. 13 on the Whelen Modified Tour, drove the No. 79 car owned by Roger Hill, of Westfield , N.C. , at Caraway. Christopher will return to the Whelen Southern Modified Tour when it visits Ace Speedway on April 2, before resuming his northeastern NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour schedule April 9-10 at Thompson ( Conn. ) International Speedway.
NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour 150
NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour
Caraway Speedway , March 26, 2005
Official Results
Finish |
Start |
Driver Name |
Manufacturer |
Laps Completed Reason Out |
Money Won |
Winner's Average Speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 11 |
Ted Christopher, Plainville Conn | Pontiac |
150 |
$1,825 |
75.763 mph |
| 2 | 2 |
Jay Foley, Stuart Va. | Chevrolet |
150 |
$1,425 |
|
| 3 | 18 |
Jamie Tomaino, Howell N.J. | Chevrolet |
150 |
$1,225 |
|
| 4 | 8 |
Junior Miller, Pine Hall N.C. | Dodge |
150 |
$1,050 |
|
| 5 | 14 |
Frank Fleming, Mount Airy N.C. | Pontiac |
150 |
$1,000 |
|
| 6 | 13 |
Alex Hoag, Bath N.Y. | Chevrolet |
150 |
$850 |
|
| 7 | 5 |
John Smith, Mount Airy N.C. | Chevrolet |
150 |
$750 |
|
| 8 | 12 |
Bobby Hutchens, Lexington N.C. | Chevrolet |
150 |
$690 |
|
| 9 | 17 |
Michael Clifton, Walkertown N.C. | Chevrolet |
150 |
$590 |
|
| 10 | 9 |
Rupert Sink, Winston-Salem N.C. | Chevrolet |
150 |
$550 |
|
| 11 | 19 |
Gene Pack, Walkertown N.C. | Pontiac |
150 |
$470 |
|
| 12 | 16 |
Kevin Powell, Winston-Salem N.C. | Ford |
148 |
$530 |
|
| 13 | 10 |
Brian Crammer, Howell N.J. | Chevrolet |
146, Handling |
$410 |
|
| 14 | 3 |
Burt Myers, Walnut Cove N.C. | Chevrolet |
128, Handling |
$390 |
|
| 15 | 4 |
J.R. Bertuccio, Centerreach N.Y. | Chevrolet |
81, Engine |
$410 |
|
| 16 | 15 |
Kevin Eckerich, Clayton N.C. | Chevrolet |
72, Accident |
$390 |
|
| 17 | 6 |
Jay Hedgecock, High Point N.C. | Dodge |
65, Engine |
$375 |
|
| 18 | 21 |
Corey Smith, Thomasville N.C. | Chevrolet |
48, Engine |
$350 |
|
| 19 | 20 |
Brian Pack, Walkertown N.C. | Pontiac |
41, Clutch |
$335 |
|
| 20 | 7 |
Jason Myers, Walnut Cove N.C. | Chevrolet |
34, Oil Pump |
$320 |
|
| 21 | 1 |
Brian Loftin, Lexington N.C. | Chevrolet |
0, Ignition |
$300 |
|
Time of Race: 54 minutes, 3 seconds Margin of Victory: 0.219 Seconds
BUD POLE AWARD: Burt Myers, 1 DMC Auto Exchange / Triad Land Surveying Chevrolet
POWERADE "POWER MOVE OF THE RACE" AWARD: Jamie Tomaino, 99 Perth Amboy Spring Chevrolet
Caution Flags: Laps 7-9; 43-45; 48-50; 63-71; 81-84; 124-128. 6 cautions for 27 laps.
Lap Leaders: Jay Foley 1-26, J.R. Bertuccio 27-37, Jay Hedgecock 38-65, Ted Christopher 66-150.
Total Laps Led: Ted Christopher 85, Jay Hedgecock 28, Jay Foley 26, J.R. Bertuccio 11. 3 lead changes involving 4 drivers.