Bristol Motor Speedway, NASCAR's most popular track, hosts NASCAR's oldest series in 2009 with a 150-lap Modified race Wednesday, Aug. 19 officials announced today.
The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour has a 60-year history in NASCAR racing but makes its first stop on the high banks of Bristol. A championship event on both the Whelen Modified and Whelen Southern Modified tour, the race features an opportunity for drivers from both series to earn points toward their respective titles.
The event is part of the exciting August race week at Bristol Motor Speedway that features a double-header with the Modifieds and O'Reilly 200 truck series race Aug. 19, the Food City 250 Nationwide race Aug. 21 and the Sharpie 500 Aug. 22.
"This is an event we have wanted to host at Bristol Motor Speedway for some time," said BMS president and general manager Jeff Byrd. "There is a tremendous history up north and in the New England area for modified racing with guys like Richie Evans, Jerry Cook, Mike Stefanik and my buddy Jimmy Spencer. But there is an incredible passion for this racing in the south as well. They run a great program in my hometown of Winston-Salem at Bowman-Gray."
The Whelen Modified Tour features lightweight, open-wheeled racing machines that have been part of NASCAR since its first season in 1948. Throughout its storied history, the NASCAR Modified division has proven to be a tremendous training and developmental program for future stars.
Todd Bodine, the 2006 Craftsman Truck Series champion, began his career in the Modified division along with his racing brothers, Geoff and Brett. Drivers Jimmy Spencer, Mike McLaughlin and Steve Park also began their careers in the Modifieds, along with Cup Series crew chiefs Greg Zipadelli and Tommy Baldwin Jr.
In 2006, Mike Stefanik made history by winning his seventh Whelen Modified Tour championship. Combined with his two previous NASCAR Grand National Division, Busch East Series titles, Stefanik's accomplishment tied him with another Modified legend and nine-time NASCAR champion, Richie Evans, as NASCAR's all-time championship leader.
For tickets call (423) 989-6900 or log on to www.bristoltix.com.
