Updates From Whelen Mods, K&N And Pinty’s Series
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — In case you missed it, we’ve rounded up recent news items from across the NASCAR Home Tracks landscape. Did you know? …
Air Titan 2, Part II: Last fall Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park became the first NASCAR Home Track to enlist the help of an Air Titan 2 when it had one on hand for the Sunoco World Series. The track has once again assured attendees that it will do all it can to get the scheduled events completed in a timely manner by bringing the track-drying technology back for this weekend’s Icebreaker.
Virginia Homecoming: Newly-hired NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour director Jimmie Walker returns to his home state this weekend for the South Boston 150. Walker grew up near South Boston and most recently worked at Virginia’s Langley Speedway before starting with the tour in February.
SoBo Ready to Shine: South Boston Speedway has kicked off a $1 million capital improvement plan that will see the track go through numerous upgrades throughout the season. From a new racing surface, to new and improved grandstands, the fans will enjoy an improved and more fan-friendly facility this season.
Championship Hunt: Overshadowed by Todd Gilliland’s recent run, Todd Partridge opened the season with back-to-back runner-up finishes. “We’re in contention to win the thing,” Partridge said after Saturday night’s run. “I really feel this is going to be our championship year in the Sunrise Ford Fusion.” Partridge finished third in last year’s title race, 13 points behind champion Chris Eggleston. Partridge’s car owner, Bob Bruncati, has won two K&N Pro Series titles, with Jason Bowles in 2009 and Derek Thorn in 2013.
Strong Rookie Openings: In addition to Gilliland, the young stars in the K&N Pro West are shining. Partridge’s teammate Cole Rouse brought home a third-place finish at Kern. Of the top 10 after two races, four are Sunoco Rookie of the Year candidates and four are in their second full-time seasons. Gilliland’s teammate Riley Herbst finished fourth at Kern, while a third Bill McAnally Racing rookie Julia Landauer salvaged a 10th-place run after getting caught up in a late-race wreck.
Right Turn-Ready: Patrick Dussault recently announced plans to become the latest in a long line of road racing experts to make the transition to fendered stock cars with the NASCAR Pinty’s Series. Dussault, from Loraine, Quebec, recently raced in British Formula 2.0 and Formula Ford. He will take over behind the wheel of Patrice Brisebois’ No. 71 and is set to compete in all five road and street course events on the 2016 Pinty’s Series schedule.
Meet & Greet: Going to be in the Danville, Virginia area next weekend? Stop by and join NASCAR K&N Pro Series East driver Reid Wilson at the local Biscuitville on Saturday, April 16 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Wilson and his car will be on site to promote the upcoming Biscuitville 125 at VIRginia International Raceway.
Tune-In Time:
• NASCAR K&N Pro Series West at Kern County Raceway Park; Friday at 11 p.m. ET on NBCSN
• NASCAR Whelen All-American Series from Evergreen Speedway, Salina Highbanks Speedway & Tucson Speedway; Saturday live on FansChoice.tv
• NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour & NASCAR Whelen All-American Series from Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park; Sunday at 12:15 p.m. (live) on FansChoice.tv and VictoryLaneRadio.com
