NASCAR MODIFIEDS: MARTINSVILLE POST-QUALIFYING NOTES

Of course, Stefanik has been around the NASCAR Modified ranks for a long time, but the aura of coming to Martinsville still brings a strong feeling to the Mod veteran.

“This was a big race for me when I was just getting into the Modifieds. I used to come here just as a fan before I even started to run here. It’s a long ride, 700 miles from home, but I remember coming here as a young driver in the series. Martinsville is always a thrill to come to. It’s a nice racetrack and it gets us out of the cold Northeast.”

COBY CRASHES; TAKES PROVISIONAL

There were a few slides and spins in qualifying, but the only driver to actually hit anything was Doug Coby, who ended up in the outside wall with his Curt Chase-owned #77.

“The car was tight on the warm-up lap and I sailed down into turn one [on his qualifying lap],” said Coby. “The tire rolled off the rim. It was weird. I was in the middle of the corner when the thing went right to the fence. I was still on the gas, I was actually on the gas when I was almost to the wall when I told myself that I needed to wait a second. I knew that I didn’t want to be doing that right now. I locked them up instead and just kind of slid into the fence.”

STEFANIK ON THE POLE

Mike Stefanik set fast time for Saturday’s Whelen Made in America 300 at Martinsville Speedway. The Coventry, RI-native’s speed was the only that cracked into the 100mph bracket at the tight Martinsville half-mile. A pole at such a historic racetrack, especially one in a prestigious event such as the traditional Martinsville race should be one that Stefanik wouldn’t forget. While he probably won’t forget this one for a while, when a driver has accumulated so many accolades in his career the way Stefanik has, it can be easy to lose track of previous trophies – even a pole at Martinsville.

“I think I’ve won one before,” said Stefanik. “My wife just asked me that but I

honestly don’t know. I think I have, but I don’t know.”

Stefanik will be plenty aware of Friday night’s pole winning effort when he takes the green flag on Saturday. Even though he had an early qualifying draw, he set an early pace that wouldn’t be broken by the 49 competitors that took part in time trials.

“It always feels good to win a pole, especially here at Martinsville. We went off awful early and had to wait for 50-some-odd cars to go. I thought we’d be in the top-five or top-10, but then as the field kept going, we dodged a couple of the heavy hitters and we started getting our hopes up near the end. I’m happy for the whole team.”

The #77 team elected to repair their primary car instead of rolling out their back-up mount.

“The whole right front hit the wall,” said Coby. “But they got it so it could roll and they are going to fix it. We got the last provisional, so we don’t have to run the hooligan race. It was s—t luck, but we’ve had a s----y year, so hopefully we can turn it around in tomorrow night’s race.”

After Friday night’s qualifying session, eight teams were awarded provisionals. Dick Houlihan, Chuck Hossfeld, Matt Hirschman, James Civali and Coby were the Northern drivers to gain a starting spot, while Junior Miller, Bobby Hutchins and Jason Myers were the Southern Tour drivers who were given provisional starts.

Among the drivers who will need to advance through Saturday evening’s 50-lap last chance race are Ronnie Silk, Kevin Goodale, Jon McKennedy, Robbie Summers, Mike Andrews and Anthony Sesley from up North and Jay Foley, Brian Loftin, Michael Clifton, Brian Pack, Gene Pack and Kevin Powell from the South.

QUALIFYING RESULTS

1. (16)Mike Stefanik, Coventry R.I., Chevrolet, 100.547

2. (2)Todd Szegedy, Ridgefield Conn., Ford, 99.974

3. (18)Donny Lia, Jericho N.Y., Chevrolet, 99.842

4. (4)Jerry Marquis, Broad Brook Conn., Dodge, 99.821

5. (3)Eric Beers, Northampton Pa., Chevrolet, 99.758

6. (48)Tony Hirschman, Northampton Pa., Chevrolet, 99.637

7. (41)Reggie Ruggierro, Rocky Hill Conn., Chevrolet, 99.621

8. (10)Eddie Flemke, Southington Conn., Chevrolet, 99.590

9. (12)Jimmy Blewett, Howell N.J., Chevrolet, 99.553

10. (15)Zach Sylvester, Lebanaon Conn., Chevrolet, 99.506

11. (6)Ron Yuhas, Groton Conn., Chevrolet, 99.433

12. (83)Tim Brown, Cana Va., Chevrolet, 99.219

13. (30)L.W. Miller, Dushore Pa., Pontiac, 99.162

14. (99)Jamie Tomaino, Howell N.J., Chevrolet, 99.100

15. (36)Ted Christopher, Plainville Conn., Chevrolet, 99.048

16. (0)Danny Sammons, Trenton N.J., Chevrolet, 98.945

17. (1)Burt Myers, Walnut Grove N.C., Chevrolet, 98.924

18. (20)Richard Savary, Canton Mass., Chevrolet, 98.903

19. (06)Steve Whitt, Forked River N.J., Dodge, 98.862

20. (21)Ken Barry, Griswold Conn., Chevrolet, 98.738

21. (46)Richard Houlihan, Bridgewater Mass., Chevrolet, 98.733

22. (79)Chuck Hossfeld, Buffalo N.Y., Pontiac, 98.697

23. (19)Ronnie Silk, Norwalk Conn., Chevrolet, 98.604

24. (57)Jay Foley, Stuart Va., Chevrolet, 98.579

25. (58)Kevin Goodale, Riverhead N.Y., Chevrolet, 98.574

26. (14)Bobby Hutchens, Lexington N.C., Chevrolet, 98.543

27. (23)Brian Loftin, Lexington N.C., Chevrolet, 98.522

28. (59)Matt Hirschman, Northampton Pa., Dodge, 98.446

29. (50)Michael Clifton, Walkertown N.C., Chevrolet, 98.099

30. (81)Brian Pack, Walkertown N.C., Chevrolet, 98.083

31. (28)James Civali, Meriden Conn., Chevrolet, 98.068

32. (73)Jon McKennedy, Chemsford Mass., 97.860

33. (47)Jimmy Storace, Kingston N.H., Chevrolet, 97.860

34. (98)Jamie Tomaino, Jr., Howell N.J., Chevrolet, 97.845

35. (17)Brian King, Gibsonville N.C., Chevrolet, 97.759

36. (44)Brandon Hire, Winston-Salem N.C., 97.729

37. (01)Robbie Summers, Vernon Conn., Pontiac, 97.664

38. (31)Gene Pack, N. Myrtle Beach S.C., Chevrolet, 97.628

39. (5)Randy Butner, Pfafftown N.C., Chevrolet, 97.613

40. (69)Junior Miller, Pine Hall N.C., Dodge, 97.578

41. (86)Mike Andrews, Ridge N.Y., Chevrolet, 97.518

42. (07)Frank Fleming, Mt Airy N.C., Pontiac, 97.382

43. (38)Ken Heagy, Calverton N.Y., Chevrolet, 97.282

44. (74)Jason Myers, Walnut Cove N.C., Chevrolet, 96.726

45. (11)Anthony Sesley, Matawan N.J., Chevrolet, 96.662

46. (33)Wade Cole, Riverton Conn., Chevrolet, 95.646

47. (9)Jake Marosz, Middletown Conn., Chevrolet, 95.641

48. (04)Kevin Powell, Winston Salem N.C., Ford, 94.463

49. (77)Doug Coby, Milford Conn., Pontiac, No speed