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09/08/2011 |
FORMER WHELEN
MODIFIED TOUR STANDOUTS TO RETURN TO THOMPSON
Fuller, Park To Join
UNOH Showdown Field |
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In
addition to the current NASCAR Whelen Modified and
Whelen Southern Modified Tour teams that will head
to Thompson (Conn.) International Speedway for the
inaugural UNOH Showdown, a pair of former Modified
standouts will also be on hand.
Jeff Fuller, 1992 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour
champion, and two-time runner-up Steve Park are set
to return to Thompson for the special event. Both
will enter the Southern Thompson 125 NASCAR Whelen
Southern Modified Tour race and contend for a
position in the UNOH Showdown. Fuller will be in the
No. 66 owned by Ed Marceau while Park will pilot the
No. 20 of multi-time Riverhead (N.Y.) Raceway
champion Bill Park, which will mark the first time
in his career that he has raced for his uncle.
Both Fuller and Park have established legacies at
the .625-mile speedway that were earned prior to
moving south to participate in the top levels of
NASCAR racing. Fuller ranks third on the Whelen
Modified Tour wins list at Thompson with 10
triumphs, including a run in 1991-92 where he took
the checkered flag in seven of nine races. Park won
six Tour races at Thompson, including four in a row
in 1995-96.
Fuller, originally from nearby Auburn, Mass., last
raced a Modified at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in
2008 and his appearance prior to that was in the
2003 Thompson 300, where he finished third. Fuller
recorded 31 wins and 144 top 10s as a full-time
Whelen Modified Tour competitor from 1985-94 and has
a total of 240 previous starts.
Fuller is a little cautious about expectations for
the weekend because of his long layoff. Returning to
the seat in familiar surroundings and under the
guidance of Brad Lafontaine, who was his crew chief
when he earned the 1992 crown, will help him
accommodate.
“I think [Thompson] would be the best place for me
to make my return because we do have some wins
there,” Fuller said. “From what I understand, the
track really hasn’t changed. Maybe a few little
things here and there have changed, but hopefully if
you can still pass and run basically the same, I’m
hoping that it’s going to come to me quickly.”
Park, originally from East Northport, N.Y., last
entered a Whelen Modified Tour event at Stafford
(Conn.) Motor Speedway in 2005 and his last start at
Thompson was marked by a win in 1996. He recorded 86
top-10 finishes as a full-time competitor from
1988-96 and has a total of 187 Tour starts.
“For us, coming up with the Modifieds in the
Northeast, Thompson was always the pinnacle race
track,” Park said. “This gives the New England fans
an opportunity to not only see the talent in the
Northeast that they see week-in and week-out, but
some of the guys that are coming from the Southern
Modified Tour.”
Park had interest in returning to Thompson for the
UNOH Showdown from the time it was announced and is
excited to take part.
“Getting guys like Jeff Fuller back here at Thompson
where he has won a lot of races, and myself to come
back up here … we didn’t have to have our arm
twisted to do this,” Park Said. “As soon as we heard
about this, we wanted to figure out how we could be
a part of it.”
Not only is this an event that Fuller wanted to
support and participate in, he’s excited about the
format that will bring both Modified Tours to
Connecticut and pit them head-to-head.
“I really do think that Don [Hoenig] deserves kudos
for doing this,” Fuller said. “I think it is going
to be a really, really good show.”
The weekend will begin with practice and qualifying
for the NASCAR Whelen Modified and Whelen Southern
Modified Tours on Saturday, Sept. 10. The Southern
Thompson 125 will go green on Sunday, Sept. 11 at
12:45 p.m., followed by the Northern Thompson 125 at
2:30 p.m. The 50-lap exhibition UNOH Showdown that
will feature the top finishers from both 125s is set
to take the green flag at 5:30 p.m. All of Sunday’s
racing action will be streamed live at
www.nascarhometracks.com by NASCAR Home
Tracks Radio. For event and ticked information,
please visit Thompson’s official website,
www.thompsonspeedway.com. |
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Source: Jason Cunningham / NASCAR
Posted: September
8. 2011 |
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