Lately, there has been nobody better than Ryan Preece when it comes to NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour racing at Stafford Motor Speedway.
In 2017, Preece won two of three events at the half-mile, and finished second in the Fall Final last October. Sunday, in the first of three Whelen Modified Tour appearances at Stafford this season, Preece found himself carrying the checkered flag once again, capturing his second straight NAPA Spring Sizzler.
The Berlin, Connecticut, driver stayed out on the track for the entire first half of the race, but when the caution flew on lap 152, he pitted three times during the yellow to take fresh Hoosier rubber. The 27-year-old began his drive to the front and took the lead from rising star Chase Dowling on lap 171, never looking back en route to the win.
The victory was the 21st career in Whelen Modified Tour competition for Preece, and his eighth at the historic Stafford half-mile. He led a race-high 91 laps, including the final 29.
“Winning the Sizzler, it’s a big deal,” Preece said. “Guys 30 years from now, they are going to think of me how I think of Bugsy (Stevens), Richie (Evans) and Ted (Christopher) right now. I want to move up, but at the same time, I want to create a name for myself.”
Preece, who won his second career NASCAR Xfinity Series event at Bristol Motor Speedway on April 14, has finished inside the top two in seven of his last eight Stafford starts, and has now been victorious in six of his last 16 Whelen Modified Tour races driving for Ed Partridge in the No. 6 TS Haulers Chevrolet.
Dowling, who led 69 laps, finished second in the Sizzler. It was the third straight top 10 finish for the Roxbury, Connecticut, driver to open the season and his best career finish at Stafford, where he is also a full-time SK Modified competitor as part of the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series.
“Overall, it was a pit strategy race, and we had a fast car all day,” Dowling said. “I’m just trying to soak in everything we have… and I appreciate all of these good runs that we have been having.”
Rowan Pennink scored his second straight podium finish back from injury with a third, while Patrick Emerling, who led 40 laps, and Craig Lutz rounded out the top five.
Jon McKennedy was sixth, followed by Matt Swanson, Justin Bonsignore, Timmy Solomito and Rob Summers.
Leaving Stafford, Bonsignore holds a one-point lead over Dowling, and a five-point advantage over Lutz.
The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour returns to the track in Massachusetts at Seekonk Speedway on Saturday, June 2.
The complete results from Stafford Springs can be found below.
- Ryan Preece
- Chase Dowling
- Rowan Pennink
- Patrick Emerling
- Craig Lutz
- Jon McKennedy
- Matt Swanson
- Justin Bonsignore
- Timmy Solomito
- Shawn Solomito
- Rob Summers
- Bobby Santos III
- Gary Putnam
- Ronnie Williams
- Ken Heagy
- Tommy Catalano
- Wade Cole
- Chris Pasteryak
- Joe DeGracia
- Melissa Fifield
- Doug Coby
- Walter Sutcliffe, Jr.
- Gary McDonald
- Dave Sapienza
- Woody Pitkat
- Ron Silk
- Blake Barney
- Dave Salzarulo
- Calvin Carroll
- Eric Goodale
- Kyle Bonsignore
- Jimmy Blewett
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