The next chapter in the fierce three-way battle for the NASCAR Whelen Modified Series takes place at one of the series’ most iconic locations, Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park. Since the facility opened to the public in 1940, Thompson has been the center of transformed competition in the northeastern United States. In the early days of the modified tour, Thompson ran at least five events a year. Many celebrities have claimed the checkered flag for Thompson. Richie Evans of NASCAR fame won the series’ first four races at Thompson in 1985, and names such as Jimmy Spencer, Mike Stefanik, Jeff Fuller, Steve Park, Ted Christopher and Justin Bonsignor later won at the track.
As is the case for most of the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour program, Thompson will serve as a significant contender late in the season for the championship. A strong run at Thompson will be crucial before the three championship contenders end their run down south in 2024. Here’s everything you need to know about Sunday’s World Series 150 at Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park. Patrick Emerling enters Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park with momentum after winning three of the last four NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour races. Patrick Emerling’s emergence as a NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour championship contender began during the series’ second trip to Thompson in August.
No one in the 27-car field could match the blistering pace of Rich Gautreau’s first-place Emerling, who led 150 laps on the pole. The win was Emerling’s first of three in the past four events, and his consistency left him 16 points behind NASCAR Modified Tour points leader Whelen. However, Emerling still has work to do if he wants to overtake Ron Silk in the championship race. Not only did Silk lead all Modified Tour drivers this season with four wins, but he also performed well in the Heidt Iannone race, winning two of the last three events alongside defending champion Thompson. Joining Silk and Emerling in their championship fight is Justin Bonsignor, who has won six straight at Thompson since 2018-19. Bonsignor is looking for redemption with Thompson’s 13th victory as he had a chance to take the title right away after missing a change on the race’s final restart last fall.
Three championship contenders will face off against a host of talented drivers in the World Series 150 Sunday at Thompson. Matt Hirschman is one of the names looking to visit Thompson’s Victory Lane for the first time since his father, Tony, won eight NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour races at Thompson’s Victory Lane facility from 1989 to 2005. Other drivers scheduled to compete Sunday at Thompson include John McKenney, Woody Pitcat, Chase Dowling, Matt Swanson, Anthony Nocella and Tim Connolly. The full list of World Series 150 participants can be found here.
