Tour-Type Modifieds
Unofficial Results for NWMT, World Series Night #2
Feb 12, 2023
NASCAR's 75th Anniversary began with a race for the ages in its oldest division.
In a furious battle which included Justin Bonsignore and Matt Hirschman, Ron Silk stood victorious in the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour season opener at New Smyrna Speedway.
Silk and Bonsignore exchanged the lead over the final 10 laps, but ultimately Silk held on the win.
“I love this racetrack and we’ve been coming here for a long time," Silk told Racing America. "It feels good to win a Tour race here. We’re going to run a couple more this week with the Open stuff, so we’ll try to win another one.”
“It was a lot of fun. It was intense. It was aggressive, but I don’t think it was over the line. We were both able to keep going. It was a lot of fun. I knew I could race around Justin like that and trust him. I think he feels the same way about me. That was everything we had, I couldn’t go any harder.”
Silk took the lead on lap 169, sliding past Bonsignore just before Bonsignore and Coby made contact in turn one, triggering a multi-car incident. Bonsignore and Coby both carried on and salvaged top-five finishes, but that proved to be the opening Silk needed to capitalize.
The victory marks Silk’s 18th career NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour victory. The 2011 series champion last won on the Tour in 2021 at Oswego Speedway.
It also marks his first win with Haydt Yannone Racing after joining the team during the 2022 season.
“This is my first Tour win with this team, too. Last year, we ran with them and had some really good runs, seconds and thirds, but couldn’t get over the hump."
Between the fierce battle, the milestone achievement for Silk and his team, and celebrating the birth and birthplace of NASCAR by receiving the one-of-a-kind 1948 Cup in victory lane, it was a night to remember.
“With the 75th anniversary, being 1948 when they ran the first one on the beach, it’s awesome to have our name associated with that anniversary."
Bonsignore finished second, with Hirschman rounding out the podium. Anthony Sesely and Doug Coby rounded out the top five.
UNOFFICIAL RESULTS
NASCAR WHELEN MODIFIED TOUR AT NEW SMYRNA SPEEDWAY
- Ron Silk
- Justin Bonsignore
- Matt Hirschman
- Anthony Sesely
- Doug Coby
- Jake Johnson
- Dave Sapienza
- Austin Beers
- Anthony Nocella
- Tommy Catalano
- Tyler Rypkema
- Kyle Ebersole
- Spencer Davis
- Joey Coulter
- Justin Brown
- J.B. Fortin
- Jeremy Gerstner
- Craig Lutz
- Kyle Bonsignore
- James Pritchard
- Ken Heagy
- Gary McDonald
- Ronnie Williams
- Jon McKennedy
- Andrew Krause
- Brian Robie
- Eric Goodale
- Jimmy Blewett
- Eddie McCarthy
- J.R. Bertuccio
- Anthony Bello
- Matthew Kimball
- Melissa Fifield
- Patrick Emerling
- Chris Hatton
