Further Info: Larry Thomas: lthomas@concordmotorsportpark.com (704) 782 4221
NWSMT Story and results by Tim Southers, NASCAR

Ted Christopher claims Capital Bank 150

CONCORD, N.C. – Ted Christopher made the trip down south worthwhile Saturday night at Concord Speedway. Christopher passed Burt Myers on the opening lap and led wire-to-wire to win the Capital Bank 150 in the NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour season opener.

Christopher, the defending NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour National Champion, won his third career NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour race and the first Tour event held at the half-mile, tri-oval. Christopher's other two NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour wins came in the 2005 and 2006 season openers.

Rowan Pennink followed in second. George Brunnhoelzl III came through the field to finish third after starting last because of engine problems. Myers, who won his series record 18th Coors Light Pole Award earlier in the day, finished fourth and Erick Rudolph completed the top five.

Brandon Ward followed in sixth place, which also garnered him Sunoco Rookie of the Race honors, and L. W. Miller followed in seventh. Frank Fleming, John Smith and Ron Silk completed the top 10.

The race was slowed just three times by caution.

The NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour will return to racing with a doubleheader next weekend. The Lightnin’ Fast 150 is Friday at Ace Speedway in Altamahaw, N.C., followed by the first trip to Caraway Speedway on Saturday.

NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour-Capital Bank 150 Official Results

(Start position in parentheses)

1. (2) Ted Christopher, Plainville, CT, Chevrolet, 150 laps, 85.796 mph, $2,000.
2. (4) Rowan Pennink, Chevrolet, 150, $1,500.
3. (20) George Brunnhoelzl, III, West Babylon, N.Y., Ford, 150, $1,375.
4. (1) Burt Myers, Walnut Cove, N.C., Ford, 150, $1,400.
5. (11) Erick Rudolph, Ransomville, NY, Chevrolet, 150, $1,000.
6. (12) Brandon Ward, Winston-Salem, NC, Chevrolet, 150, $1,250.
7. (9) L.W. Miller, Dushore, Pa., Pontiac, 150, $750.
8. (5) Frank Fleming, Mount Airy, N.C., Pontiac, 150, $690.
9. (8) John Smith, Mount Airy, N.C., Chevrolet, 150, $590.
10. (3) Ron Silk, Norwalk, CT, Pontiac, 149, $550.
11. (15) J.R. Bertuccio, Centerrach, NY, Chevrolet, 149, $525.
12. (14) Buddy Emory, Petersburg, Va., Chevrolet, 149, $500.
13. (18) Rich Kuiken, Jr., Staffordsville, N.J., Chevrolet, 149, $485.
14. (13) Jason Myers, Walnut Cove, N.C., Ford, 149, $460.
15. (16) Brian Loftin, Lexington, N.C., Chevrolet, 147, $445.
16. (19) Jay Mize, Clemmons, N.C., Chevrolet, 147, $430.
17. (7) Tim Brown, Winston-Salem, N.C., Chevrolet, 123, steering, $420.
18. (10) Jamie Tomaino, Howell, NJ, Chevrolet, 99, tire, $410.
19. (17) Gene Pack, Washington, D.C., Chevrolet, 35, accident, $400.
20. (6) Andy Seuss, Hampstead, N.H., Dodge, 4, rocker arm, $390.
Race Statistics
Time of Race: 0 hours 52 minutes 27 seconds
Margin of Victory: 2.431 seconds
Fastest Qualifier: Burt Myers (118.569 mph, 15.181 seconds)
Caution Flags: 3 for 19 laps.
Lead Changes: 0 among 1 drivers.
Lap Leaders: T. Christopher 1-150.
Standings: 1. T. Christopher, 180; 2. R. Pennink, 170; 3. G. Brunnhoelzl,
III, 165; 4. B. Myers, 160; 5. E. Rudolph, 155; 6. B. Ward, 150; 7. L. Miller, 146; 8. F. Fleming, 142; 9. J. Smith, 138; 10. R. Silk, 134.

Other winners for the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series divisions on the bill were Bobby Measmer, Jr. of Concord in the #14 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS in the Town & Country Ford Late Models; Adam Welch of Hinesburg, VT in the number 71 Adam Welch Customs with Kyle Beattie Racing            Thunder Car in the INEX Thunder Cars; Randy McAnulty of Concord driving the number 8 Carolina Pipe Cleaning / Leisure Tyme Rentals 1978 Chevrolet Nova in the Coca-Cola Pure Stocks; and Tracy Mullis of Indian Trail, NC in the number 55 Auto-Tech / Spencer Morgan Autism Foundation 1987 Honda 1Prelude in the Tim Marburger Honda Fast & Furious Fours.

The Town & Country Ford Late Models capped the evening of racing. On the start David Miller found his number 74 Chevrolet ill-handling in Turn 3, bring out a caution before a lap was in.  A complete double-file restart was in order at fastest qualifier Steve Ackerly driving the #66 Town & Country Ford Taurus moved from third (top six qualifiers draw for position) to first  by Turn 1.  Measmer wasted no time challenging the other contestants and moved to the lead by the eighth lap.  On the twenty-second lap what could have been a huge situation was minimized by great driving as “Doc” Miracle entered Turn 1 inside David Miller and Larry Benz.  The slipping and sliding caused a bit of damage to Miller and Benz’s mounts and they pitted under caution but returned before racing resumed.  Afterwards the racers settled into a rhythm and chased to the finish with Steve Ackerly of Medford, NY claiming second in the number 66 Ford; Jerry Miracle in third; John Thornton of Lexington in fourth and David Miller rounding out the top 5.  Steve Ackerly will pick a Hard Charger award at the next race.

The Wilburn Auto Body INEX Thunder Cars event was dominated by Adam Welch of Hinesburg, Vermont in the number 71Adam Welch Customs with Kyle Beattie Racing Thunder Car.  Hunter Bledsoe of Saluda, South Carolina claimed second in number 8.  Third went to Jim Fluharty of Concord with Tony Wachter of Louisville, Kentucky and Rick Fleming of Mocksville rounding out the top 5.  Welch, whose very good friend, a car owner and fellow competitor, Steve Carter passed away the previous evening from a heart attack suffered after Carter’s race on the quarter-mile Legends Masters race was articulated volumes in the Capital Bank Victory Lane interviews.  “We are here racing for Steve Carter now, and we mean business!”  Jim Fluharty was awarded the Hard Charger honors.

Randy McAnulty, driving the number 8 Carolina Pipe Cleaning / Leisure Tyme Rentals 1978 Chevrolet Nova posted his first victory in some nine years with a win in the Coca-Cola Pure Stock Feature.  Second went to Patty Marking of Toledo, Ohio in her Curves Chevrolet Monte Carlo.  Third went to the returning John Schaak  of Camden, South Carolina; fourth was “Buddy” Compton, speedway chaplain and leader of the Sons of Thunder ministries, in his new, more competitive number 17 Chevrolet and fifth was Jeff Melton in the number 6 Ford Thunderbird, who suffered a crash in Turn 3 but, was able to complete the event.  Hard Charger laurels went to John Schaak.

Tracy Mullis of Indian Trail has returned to Concord Speedway full time this season, after a new job in 2008 caused him to miss a few events and in all probability, the championship.  Mullis is stacking the deck by racing in a car prepared by last year’s champ, Chad Miller.  Mullis took the win in the number 55 Auto-Tech - Spencer Morgan Autism Foundation Honda Prelude.  Second place was Ben Smith of Concord; third was Eric Harrington of Kannapolis; Barry “Hollywood” Canter of Charlotte and Shawn Horton of Solon, Ohio made up the top five.  Mullis also claimed Hard Charger by passing four competitors on the way to the win.

Results: Saturday March 21, 2009>>

Friday night’s Legends and Bandoleros races were suspended after the tragic medical emergency called for Steve Carter.

Friday’s winners were, in the RPM Proformance Legends: Pros- Daniel Hemric of Kannapolis; Masters- Clay Hair of Mount Pleasant.  Bandolero Beginner Bandits- Jordan Mandeer of Mooresville.  Racing was resumed Sunday afternoon with the Bandits event won by John Holleman of Winston Salem; Young Guns by Luke Demis of Archdale; Outlaws by Chris Trivette of Advance, NC; Legends Semi Pro by Dennis Kiser II of Concord and Legends Young Lions by Justin Grimes of North Wilkesboro.

Sunday afternoon was a bright and beautiful afternoon to make up the races lost to rain on March 13th.  The RPM Proformance Legends winners were: Masters- Clay Hair; Pros- Daniel Hemric; Semi-Pros- Dennis Kiser II; Young Lions- Harrison Rhodes of High Point.  The Bandoleros winners included: Outlaws- Chris Trivette; Young Guns- Matt Linker of Mt. Pleasant; Bandits- John Holleman IV and Beginner Bandits- Jon Meeks of Creedmoor.

Coming up this weekend: Friday evening and Sunday afternoon, Legends and Bandoleros on the quarter-mile.  Gates open at 5:30 PM Friday and 2:00 PM Sunday.

Saturday on the half-mile TriOval is the Town & Country Ford 150 for the new Hutch/BSR Pro Late Model feature division.  Also on the racing schedule are events for the Tim Marburger Honda Fast & Furious Fours, Coca-Cola Pure Stocks and Town & Country Ford Late Models.  More information is available at: www.concordmotorsportpark.com/032809schedule.htm.

 Concord Speedway is located on Highway 601 South of Concord.  For information call 704-782-4221 or visit the website at www.concordspeedway.net