Bonsignore Claims Whelen Modified Tour Opener, Avedisian Takes SLM Win at New Smyrna

Justin Bonsignore joined the list of NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour victors at New Smyrna Speedway, taking the win in the New Smyrna Beach Area Visitors Bureau 200 on Saturday evening.

Bonsingore took the lead from Austin Beers inside of 40 laps to go and maintained the top spot, as the four-time series champion kicked off the 2026 season with a trip to victory lane.

Bonsignore tipped his cap to crew chief Ryan Stone after the race after a strong showing throughout the night, qualifying on the pole and taking the win.

"It was good because of Ryan Stone," said Bonsignore in victory lane. "The guys had great pit stops all night. Just a total team effort. It's been a tough winter for us. This just feels good to come out and do what we did today. We had a great car."

The first race for the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour since an offseason switch to American Racer tires proved to be a learning experience for the 32 competitors in the field. Bonsignore gained some knowledge during a tire test, but found some of the knowledge he gained on-track was more valuable than time learning the new tire.

"We obviously got the opportunity to do the tire test here, but we learned a lot, even if it was going to stick with the Hoosiers that night," explained Bonsignore. "We worked really hard on some new stuff that we have been hesitant to try while we're in points battles. It was really good. Just some lines we learned at the test were good, being that tight on rears only with 20 to go, moving around in three and four.

"That was a great race with Ryan [Preece] for a while there for a while, and Tyler [Rypkema] kept us honest on the last bunch of starts. Just a great start to the year."

Rypkema finished second to Bonsignore, balancing the bittersweet emotions of coming close to a victory and coming up short but earning a solid points showing to start a new season.

"The last three restarts, firing off on the outside," said Rypkema. "It's so tough late in the run to get some good drive off the top and hang with them. We were just good at the end there and tried to hang with them and got a good restart on that last one there. It's tough, you know, to finish second, but it's a great way to start the season out points-wise looking forward."

Last year's NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour champion, Austin Beers, finished third, his best finish in the New Smyrna season opener during his young career.

"This is one race I am happy with a third," said Beers. "We were struggling there. I was just a little too tight. We took rears and rears, so we didn't have a right-front there at the end, and I think it hurt us. I feel like if we did get that right-front, we would have been mired in traffic.

"Starts the season with a third. This is my finish here at New Smyrna on the Tour, so I can't complain."

Following the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour event, the Super Late Models battled for 60 laps on the half-mile at New Smyrna Speedway. In that event, Jade Avedisian earned a victory in the final Super Late Model tune-up before Tuesday's ASA STARS National Tour Clyde Hart Memorial.

Avedisian took the lead from Casey Roderick and pulled away to the victory in the 60-lap feature event, finishing ahead of Dawson Sutton and Spencer Davis. Just like with Gabe Sommers on the opening night of the World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing, Avedisian marked a first-time winner during the World Series.

After some damage during an incident on Friday night with Spencer Davis, the Wilson Motorsports team repaired the No. 24 car and put it back into winning shape for Saturday night.

"Hats off to this whole Wilson [Motorsports] team," said Avedisian in victory lane. "They had to be up here at 7:30 this morning just to get it back together from last night. I wouldn't have been here if it wasn't for them.

"I'm focused already on Tuesday. I want to win that race so bad."

Redbud 400 and All American 400 winner Dawson Sutton settled into the runner-up position, continuing a string of strong runs in Super Late Model competition.

"This team brought me an amazing race car," said Sutton. "This was a practice race for us for Tuesday. Thankfully, it didn't get too much damage and also had a really good race. That was definitely one of the funnest races I've ever ran."

Spencer Davis rounded out the podium, looking for more horsepower on his No. 96 but glad to see a strong showing for Avedisian following their incident the night before.

"We're still lacking. This is our B motor. I'll say it just like I said last night, the only thing we've changed on this thing is steam. It's just not getting the job done. We worked hard to get back on the podium. Hats off to Donnie Wilson, all those guys, Jade.

"We had a little bit of a talk last night. I messed up, ran her into the wall. I'm glad to see she could redeem it tonight. Another podium for us. We got ready today for the race here on Tuesday."

"Super Sunday" at the World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing will be headlined by the Hoosier Pro Late Models with a 60-lap feature. 602 Modifieds, Sportsman and E-Modifieds will also be on track.

New Smyrna Beach Area Visitors Bureau 200 Unofficial Results

Super Late Model Night #2 Unofficial Results

-Photo: Screenshot from FloRacing Broadcast