
Eleven down, five to go.
The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour returns to the track at Oswego Speedway on Saturday night, beginning a stretch of two races in two weeks, and four races in five weeks. The busiest point in the championship points schedule comes in crunch time — meaning one slip by a top contender could change the complexion of the season in the blink of an eye.
What better way to spend a Saturday night? Fans can watch Whelen Modified Tour action at the ‘Steel Palace,’ one of the most recognized tracks in the northeast, as part of their annual Classic weekend.
—
There are just five races remaining in the season, but some of the the talk heading into Saturday’s Toyota Mod Classic 150 presented by McDonald’s might not be about the title chase.
Look out for Matt Hirschman.
The Northampton, Pennsylvania, driver might only have two tour starts this season, but that isn’t any indication to the speed he will likely unload with on Saturday. The last two times the series has been to the New York oval, Hirschman has qualified on the pole, finished second, and first. Out of a total 300 laps, he’s been at the front of the field for 256.
If anyone is going to end Doug Coby’s streak of success this season, it could be Hirschman. While Coby does lead the championship standings by 47 points over Justin Bonsignore and Ron Silk, Oswego has also been a track where Coby’s shown enough speed to win. In three starts over the last three years, Coby’s worst finish at the .625-mile oval is fourth. He was victorious in the Whelen Modified Tour return to Oswego for the first time in over 25 years back in 2016 en route to one of his five series titles.
Bonsignore has seen similar luck. He’s finished no worse than sixth in his three at Oswego starts, including a second-place finish last year after leading 10 laps in the final stages. Silk, who joins Bonsignore as a driver that needs to gain ground quickly, only has one previous start at Oswego — a ninth-place effort back in 2016.
If you’re looking for a driver who will give you some consistency, Eric Goodale has two consecutive fifth-place finishes at the ‘Steel Palace’, and sits fifth in the championship standings with two months remaining.
Saturday’s racing card includes a 60-lap feature for the ISMA Supermodifieds, and the track will also hold racing events on Friday and Sunday.
RACE FACTS
RACE | TOYOTA MOD CLASSIC 150 PRESENTED BY MCDONALDS |
---|---|
PLACE | Oswego Speedway, Oswego, New York |
DATE | Saturday, August 31 |
TIME | 7 p.m. ET |
TELEVISION | NBCSN, Thursday, September 5, 6 p.m. — FansChoice.TV (Live Broadcast) |
TRACK LAYOUT | 5/8 mile paved oval |
2018 WINNER | Matt Hirschman |
2018 POLE | Matt Hirschman |
EVENT SCHEDULE | Saturday: Garage Opens: 10:45 a.m., First Practice: 1:35-2:10 p.m., Final Practice: 2:50-3:25 p.m., Group Qualifying: 5 p.m., Toyota Mod Classic 150 presented by McDonald’s: 7 p.m. |
@OswegoSpeedway @NASCARHomeTrack | |
HASHTAG | #ModClassic150, #NWMT |
ENTRY LIST
Nbr | Driver | Owner |
---|---|---|
01 | Melissa Fifield | Kenneth Fifield |
2 | Doug Coby | Mike Smeriglio III |
3 | Matt Swanson | Jan Boehler |
5 | Kyle Ebersole | Bob Ebersole |
06 | Sam Rameau | Randy Rameau |
07 | Patrick Emerling | Jennifer Emerling |
14 | Blake Barney | Richard Barney |
16 | Timmy Solomito | Eric Sanderson |
18 | Ken Heagy | Robert Pollifrone |
21 | Jimmy Blewett | Joseph Bertuccio |
25 | Calvin Carroll | Joe Carroll |
33 | Wade Cole | Wade Cole |
34 | J.B. Fortin | Nicole Fortin |
36 | Bobby Santos III | Judy Thilberg |
38 | Kyle Ellwood | Linda Rodenbaugh |
45 | Timmy Catalano | Dave Catalano |
46 | Craig Lutz | Russell Goodale |
47 | Joey Mucciacciaro | Frank Mucciacciaro |
51 | Justin Bonsignore | Kenneth Massa |
54 | Tommy Catalano | Amy Catalano |
58 | Eric Goodale | Edgar Goodale |
60 | Matt Hirschman | Roy Hall |
64 | Rob Summers | Mike Murphy |
75 | Chris Pasteryak | Charles Pasteryak |
77 | Gary Putnam | Mike Curb |
78 | Walter Sutcliffe, Jr. | Steven Sutcliffe |
82 | Woody Pitkat | Danny Watts Jr. |
84 | Amy Catalano | Allie Brainard |
85 | Ron Silk | Kevin Stuart |
CREW CHIEF HANDOUT:
The starting field for the Toyota Mod Classic 150 presented by McDonald’s is 28 starters, including provisional positions. The first 22 drivers will secure starting positions through the qualifying process. The remaining six positions will be awarded through the provisional process.
NASCAR group qualifying is in place for this event. Qualifying order will be determined by each vehicle’s fastest single lap speed from the official practice session. The number of groups for qualifying will be determined by NASCAR. Each group qualifying session will be five (5) minutes in duration and the fastest single lap speed of each vehicle will determine starting positions 1st through 22nd. Adjustment or repairs may not be made on a vehicle after the vehicle enters the track to begin the qualifying session. Vehicles may not return to the track or make any further qualifying laps unless directed to do so by a NASCAR Official or in the event of a caution. If a vehicle returns to pit road, the vehicle’s qualifying attempt is complete. Once a vehicle’s qualifying attempt is complete, the vehicle must proceed directly to the designated impound area once it enters pit road. Vehicles will proceed immediately to impound after making a qualifying attempt. Vehicles will be impounded after qualifying/inspection. Vehicles must qualify on race set up.
The maximum tire allotment available for this event is eleven (11) tires per team. Four (4) tires must be used for qualifying and to begin the race. The tire change rule is four (4) tires, any position.
If you like what you read here, become a Short Track Scene Patreon and support short track journalism!
Read more Short Track Scene:


Super Late Models
Boschele claims World Series Super title with Orange Blossom win

Pro Late Models
Hunter Wright again wins after Connor Jones DQ

Super Late Models
Penultimate World Series race sets up tremendous championship battle

Super Late Models
Christopher Bell on his return to pavement Late Models in ASA New Smyrna

Super Late Models
Carson Brown wins World Series opener after William Sawalich DQ

NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series
What does it mean to be a NASCAR sanctioned short track?

Pro Late Models
Keelan Harvick prepares for first season in stock cars
