NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour standout Todd Szegedy knows a thing or two about finishing at the top of his class.

The former tour champion and current points leader plans to take his opponents to school during the series' Bristol debut on Aug. 19 in the UNOH Perfect Storm 150.

The race entitlement features a unique partnership with the University of Northwest Ohio and its motorsports programs. One of those programs offers students at UNOH the opportunity to serve on the pit crew of a car sponsored by the school.

Ironically, Szegedy will be the driver behind the wheel of the UNOH-sponsored ride. The students will have no better teacher than the personable driver from Ridgefield, Conn.

In 2003, Szegedy, then 27, became the youngest driver to win the Whelen Modified Tour championship. He is excited about the opportunity to represent the school and its mission to recruit new students to the motorsports field.

"(NASCAR's) Bob Duvall helped us meet with Jeff Jarvis and Steve Farmer from UNOH," explained Szegedy. "They wanted to put their name on a car. Fortunately, we have the resources to make some sacrifices and we had the manpower we need to be able to represent UNOH in the best way. We are very happy with the situation.

"They are not putting pressure on us, saying we have to win. To them, being on the car and sponsoring the race is a win. We'll have a good time and work hard to represent them. We are a good team for them."

With his expertise behind the wheel of modifieds, not only is Szegedy the perfect fit to lead the UNOH crew, he has a good idea of what fans can expect when the lightning-quick open wheel machines take to the track.

"We have tested, but we haven't been out racing with other cars," he said. "When I came to the test, I ran the high line, the middle line and the low line. They are close. It seems there will be a second groove, but the only way to do that is to race.

"It is going to be good for the series; good to get the recognition. With Bristol being a half-mile, it is going to be a great fit. I think it will be a good show. If it is, that may open the doors to take us to other tracks."

While some people may believe the modifieds' open-wheel design prevents drivers from rubbing each other, Szegedy says nothing is further from the truth.

"Even though we are open wheel, our nerf bars are pretty flush so we don't jump the wheels a lot," Szegedy said, speaking from experience.  "We use the nerf bars all the time. We lean on each other like crazy. The cars are a lot different than they were 25 years ago, a lot more safe.

"With the good tire compound, plus a pit stop where we can make a tire change, it will be a great combination. I think it is going to work out well."

Szegedy likes his current view atop the championship standings. He has been in a similar position before and hopes he can leave Bristol in the same spot.

"Winning that championship back in 2003 was probably the most pressure ever," he said. "Some guys win championships two races before the end of the year. Ours came down to the last race, the last lap. It was nerve-wracking, a lot of emotion.

"When the checkered flag flew, I can't tell you what it felt like with the burden that was pulled off my shoulders. It was pretty exciting. We are the points leader; it will be just as gratifying if we do it again. I don't think you can ever get tired of winning championships."

The Whelen Modified Series makes its inaugural stop in Bristol for the UNOH Perfect Storm 150 on Aug. 19 alongside the Camping World Truck Series O'Reilly 200. This midweek doubleheader is a classic Bristol slugfest. 

On Friday, Aug. 21, the Food City 250 Nationwide race will see the series regulars take on the invading Sprint Cup Series stars. The week concludes with the granddaddy of night races, the Sharpie 500.

Tickets for the Sharpie 500 are on sale for $109 while Food City 250 tickets start at $45. Tickets for the Wednesday night doubleheader - the UNOH Perfect Storm 150 and the O'Reilly 200 - are $30.

Anyone purchasing a package for the Sharpie 500 and Food City 250 will be eligible for a buy one, get one free Wednesday night ticket.

Tickets may be purchased by calling the BMS ticket office at (423) BRISTOL (274-7865), (423) 989-6900 or by visiting www.bristoltix.com.