Sets Historic NASCAR Modified Tour Victory Record.COVENTRY, R.I.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 20, 1998-- Stefanik Pulls "Double Double" 1998 NASCAR NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing), organization that sanctions American stock-car races, est. 1948. It held its first race in Daytona Beach, Fla. Championships Race driver Mike Stefanik Mike Stefanik (born May 20, 1958, in Wilbraham, Massachusetts) is a NASCAR driver. He currently races in the Whelen Modified Tour, piloting the #16 Diversified Metals Pontiac. Stefanik was named the second greatest NASCAR Modified driver of all-time in 2003. has seized the 1998 NASCAR Busch Grand National North Series, and NASCAR Featherlite Modified Series, championships for the second year in row. He is the first driver in the 50-year history of NASCAR to pull the "double-double" of two consecutive touring series championships. The veteran Coventry, RI, racer wrapped up the championships this past weekend with victories at Lime Rock Park Lime Rock Park is a road course auto racing facility located in Lime Rock, Connecticut, a hamlet in the village of Lakeville, Connecticut. The track is owned by Skip Barber, a former race car driver who started the Skip Barber Racing School at Lime Rock Park in 1975. (October 17) and New Thompson Speedway (October 18), both in Connecticut. Taking the checkers at the 1.53 mile Lime Rock Park road course on Saturday earned Stefanik a 171 season-ending Busch North Series point lead over challenger Brad Leighton Brad Leighton, born June 12, 1962 in Center Harbor, New Hampshire, is a former NASCAR driver. He competed in five career Busch Series events in his career. Leighton made his career debut at New Hampshire International Speedway in May 1997, running the #5 Chevy owned by Terry . Starting on the outside of row one during the 125 mile Dodge Dealers NASCAR 200K, the Burnham Boilers No. 51 Monte Carlo Monte Carlo (môNtā` kärlō`), town (1982 pop. 13,150), principality of Monaco, on the Mediterranean Sea and the French Riviera. looked strong throughout, never dropping out of the top five. In the end, Stefanik outdistanced Leighton by two car lengths to win in front of a capacity crowd. The victory in the Dodge Dealers NASCAR 200, presented by his sponsor Burnham Boilers, was Stefanik's first career road course win in a full-bodied race car. It capped off a season that saw Stefanik tally nine top five finishes, 15 top 10 finishes and four victories in 18 starts. On Sunday (October 18), Stefanik secured his fourth national NASCAR Featherlite Modified Series title during the Stop & Shop/Sunoco World Series at New Thompson Speedway. Stefanik's Busch North run the previous day at Lime Rock Park ruled out his personally qualifying for the event. Plainville, CT's Mike Christopher Michael Wayne Christopher (born November 3, 1963, in Petersburg, Virginia) was a Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. He is an alumnus of East Carolina University. qualified the Burnham Boilers X-6 Chevrolet in Stefanik's place. Because of the driver switch, Stefanik had to drop to the rear of the field on the pace lap pace lap n. The initial lap of a motor vehicle race in which the racers warm up their engines and prepare for a fast start. Noun 1. and worked his way to the front. He snagged the lead from Reggie Ruggiero on lap 74 and never looked back. The victory marked 13 for the year, the 58th in his career, and a sweep of all four Modified Series races at Thompson during 1998. With one race remaining, the win gives Stefanik an insurmountable 305 season point lead over second place Mike Ewanitsko. In 21 Modified starts, Stefanik has posted 20 top five finishes, including the 13 wins. His latest Modified Series win saw Stefanik better the 1985 season victory record of his hero and mentor, Richie Evans
"I have a lot of respect for what Richie accomplished in 1985," said Stefanik. "He was a good friend of mine and, in breaking his record I have some mixed feelings. Richie did a lot of things throughout my career to help me. He instilled a sense of moral and self-esteem in my racing. I'll always be grateful to Richie Evans." Stefanik's '98 season comes to a close Saturday (October 24) at Flemington Speedway (NJ) where he'll shoot for Modified Series win number 14. |
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