Ted Christopher capped his 2008 championship with a win at Thompson
International Speedway, and he begun his title defense Sunday in similar
fashion. Christopher’s No. 36 Al-Lee Installations Chevrolet led 106 laps en
route to capturing the Icebreaker, the season-opening race to the Silver
Anniversary season of the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour.
Christopher had to hold off a final challenge from runner-up Jimmy
Blewett (No. 12 TS Haulers Chevrolet) as a green-white-checkered finish
extended the race to 154 laps.
Donny Lia (No. 4 Mystic Missile Dodge) finished third, followed by
Ryan Preece and Todd Szegedy.
Jamie Tomaino, who became the first driver in tour history to make
his 500th career start, led twice for 27 laps. Pit strategy, however, left
him with a 13th-place finish.
The win was Christopher’s eighth at Thompson and his third in the
track’s Icebreaker. He also won the traditional season-opener – which hosted
the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour’s first race in 1985 – in 2004 and 2005.
Christopher also moved into sole possession of fourth-place on the
tour’s all-time win list with his 32nd victory. He trails only Mike Stefanik
(69), Reggie Ruggiero (44) and Tony Hirschman (35).
Blewett briefly passed Christopher for the lead following a lap 147
restart. But Christopher was able to use a cross-over move to slide back
under Blewett in Turns 3 and 4 to move back in front.
Christopher received the first commemorative Tissot wrist watch,
which will be presented by NASCAR and tour sponsor Whelen Engineering to
each of the 14 race winners throughout the 25th anniversary season.
Christopher won the Coors Light Pole Award in Saturday’s
qualifying.
The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour will return to action with the
Tech-Net Spring Sizzler presented by CARQUEST at Stafford ( Conn. ) Motor
Speedway on April 26.
NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour-Icebreaker Results
Sunday At Thompson International Speedway, Thompson, CT
Lap length: 0.625 miles
(Start position in parentheses)
1. ( 4) Ted Christopher, Plainville , Conn. , Chevrolet, 154 laps,
76.625 mph, $8,800.
2. (11) Jimmy Blewett, Howell , N.J. , Chevrolet, 154, $3,300.
3. (10) Donny Lia, Jericho , N.Y. , Dodge, 154, $2,850.
4. (9) Ryan Preece, Kensington , Conn. , Chevrolet, 154,
$2,575.
5. (15) Todd Szegedy, Ridgefield , Conn. , Ford, 154, $2,275.
6. (13) Ron Silk, Norwalk , Conn. , Pontiac , 154, $2,075.
7. (5) Mike Stefanik, Coventry , R.I. , Pontiac , 154,
$1,975.
8. (1) Doug Coby, Milford , Conn. , Chevrolet, 154, $1,875.
9. (2) Rowan Pennink, Huntingdon Valley , Pa. , Chevrolet,
154, $1,725.
10. (32) Bobby Grigas, III, Marshfield , Mass. , Chevrolet, 154, $2,875.
11. (17) Eric Beers, Northampton , Pa. , Chevrolet, 154, $1,650.
12. (6) Glen Reen, Wilbraham , Mass. , Chevrolet, 154, $1,745.
13. (3) Jamie Tomaino, Howell , N.J. , Chevrolet, 154, $1,535.
14. (23) Kevin Goodale, Riverhead, N.Y., Chevrolet, 154, $1,130.
15. (16) Tony Ferrante, Jr., New Hyde Park , N.Y. , Chevrolet, 154, $1,065.
16. (24) Ed Flemke, Jr., Southington , Conn. , Chevrolet, 154, $1,450.
17. (19) Andy Seuss, Hampstead , N.H. , Chevrolet, 154, $1,030.
18. (21) Renee Dupuis, Glastonbury , Conn. , Chevrolet, 154, $1,375.
19. (22) Woody Pitkat, Stafford , Conn. , Chevrolet, 154, $1,350.
20. (33) Joe Hartmann, Calverton , N.Y. , Chevrolet, 154, $1,325.
21. (14) Carl Pasteryak, Lisbon , Conn. , Pontiac , 153, $900.
22. (18) Ken Heagy, Calverton , N.Y. , Chevrolet, 153, $850.
23. (31) Eric Goodale, Riverhead, N.Y., Chevrolet, 153, $1,525.
24. (25) Eric Berndt, Cromwell , Conn. , Chevrolet, 153, $800.
25. (20) Tommy Farrell, III, Neptune , N.J. , Chevrolet, 153, $790.
26. (27) Reggie Ruggiero, Rocky Hill, Conn. , Ford, 153, $1,180.
27. (30) Tom Abele, Jr., Norwich , Conn. , Chevrolet, 152, $1,170.
28. (12) Glenn Tyler, Hampton Bays , N.Y. , Chevrolet, 151, $1,160.
29. (34) Wade Cole, Riverton , Conn. , Chevrolet, 151, $1,150.
30. (28) Johnny Bush, Huntington Station , N.Y. , Chevrolet, 149, $750.
31. (7) Erick Rudolph, Ransomville , N.Y. , Chevrolet, 141,
accident, $1,250.
32. (26) Richard Savary, Canton , Mass. , Chevrolet, 133, accident, $1,150.
33. (8) Chris Pasteryak, Lisbon , Conn. , Chevrolet, 125, $750.
34. (29) Rob Summers, Vernon , Conn. , Chevrolet, 121, accident, $750.
35. (35) Jake Marosz, Middletown , Conn. , Chevrolet, 15, vibration, $1,150.
Race Statistics
Time of Race: 1 hour 15 minutes 22 seconds
Margin of Victory: .169 seconds
Fastest Qualifier: T.Christopher (120.890 mph, 18.612 seconds)
Caution Flags: 7 for 26 laps.
Lead Changes: 5 among 4 drivers.
Lap Leaders: D. Coby 1-9; T. Christopher 10-40; J. Tomaino 41-57; M.
Stefanik 58-66; J. Tomaino 67-74; T. Christopher 75-154.
Standings: 1. T. Christopher, 180; 2. J. Blewett, 170; 3. D. Lia,
165; 4. R. Preece, 160; 5. T. Szegedy, 155; 6. R. Silk, 150; 7. M. Stefanik,
146; 8. D. Coby, 142; 9. R. Pennink,138; 10. B. Grigas,III, 134.
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