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NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour

Doug Coby eager to return to NWMT title form in 2019

For the first time since 2013, Doug Coby will not be the defending champion heading into the next season.

2018 was an off year by Coby’s standards. Even while finishing third in the points standings, 117 markers behind champion Justin Bonsignore, The team continually struggled throughout the season, lacking the dominant speed that won the prior four titles. Coby led only 240 laps this season, as opposed to the 704 circuits the No. 2 team spent out front in 2017. While the team did get a win at Stafford back in August, they were never in a position they felt comfortable all season.

“We know we have room for improvement,” said Coby after the race. “We know exactly where we need to improve. We just haven’t gotten it yet… Sooner or later, it’s going to click.”

The World Series 150 was a race Coby’s team chose to treat as a test session of sorts.

“We tried a new setup today,” said Coby, “Something we haven’t done before, to try and get better. We’ve learned a lot from it. We were kind of hoping it would be a little bit better.”

The car was quick in the season finale but was unable to maintain long-run speed throughout a run.

“There were flashes that it [the car] was gonna be pretty good,” the five-time-champion told Short Track Scene. “Right away, we got knocked around and then drove back to second and had something for Ryan [Preece]. Then he drove away from us… We were just missing a little bit today. It’s something for us to build upon for next season.”

As someone who went on a historic run of his own over the past four seasons, Coby has nothing but respect for what Bonsignore accomplished in 2018.

“I have no complaints about them [the No. 51 team] winning the championship,” said Coby. “They put in their dues and went out there and won the race today… That’s how this racing game goes. It’s a good reality check for our team.”

Coby doesn’t want to give up the title of Whelen Modified Tour champion for long, however.

“I’m not retiring,” said Coby with a chuckle when asked about his 2019 plans. “I’m still driving the 2. I talked to my car owner and my crew chief today. We’re coming back, and we’ll talk to the guys over the winter, and hopefully, everyone’s back… The goal is to win a championship.”

Don’t expect Doug Coby to be off his game for too long. Once he gets things going, Justin Bonsignore and Co. had better watch out.

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Paul Lambert is an aspiring collegiate journalist. A writer and broadcaster, Paul's excited to cover New England short track racing in 2022. Paul has also been published in the Boston Herald, Speedway Illustrated and on Autoweek.com.

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