Santos Drives to Victory at Waterford

Bobby Santos followed Donny Lia for much of the first half of Saturday night’s race. But Santos wasn’t content to finish second.

So Santos, from Franklin, Massachusetts, wrestled the lead away and went on to claim the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour victory in the Mr. Rooter 161 at Waterford Speedbowl.

It was Santos’ second win of the season and 12th of his career. It was his first tour win at Waterford.

A green-white-checkered finish that pushed the race to 165 laps. Lia, who earlier in the night won the Coors Light Pole Award, finished second.

Ted Christopher rallied back to finish third. Justin Bonsignore and Patrick Emerling were fourth and fifth, respectively.

Bonsignore took over the points lead from Doug Coby, who finished 10th, by two points. Santos is third, three back of Coby.

Defending race winner and tour champion Ryan Preece finished sixth, followed by Woody Pitkat, Keith Rocco, Ron Yuhas Jr. and Coby.

The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour will race at Riverhead (New York) Raceway on Saturday, June 28.

 

NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour-Mr. Rooter 161 Results

Saturday

At Waterford Speedbowl

Waterford, Conn.

Lap length: 0.375 miles

(Start position in parentheses)

1. (2) Bobby Santos, Franklin, Mass., Chevrolet, 165 laps, 54.542 mph.

2. (1) Donny Lia, Jericho, NY, Dodge, 165.

3. (12) Ted Christopher, Plainville, Conn., Chevrolet, 165.

4. (5) Justin Bonsignore, Holtsville, NY, Chevrolet, 165.

5. (16) Patrick Emerling, Orchard Park, NY, Chevrolet, 165.

6. (13) Ryan Preece, Berlin, Conn., Ford, 165.

7. (10) Woody Pitkat, Stafford, Conn., Chevrolet, 165.

8. (15) Keith Rocco, Wallingford, Conn., Chevrolet, 165.

9. (9) Ron Yuhas, Jr., Groton, Conn., Chevrolet, 165.

10. (8) Doug Coby, Milford, Conn., Chevrolet, 165.

11. (24) Jamie Tomaino, Howell, N.J., Chevrolet, 165.

12. (25) Glen Reen, Wilbraham, Mass., Chevrolet, 165.

13. (11) Matt Hirschman, Northampton, PA, Chevrolet, 154.

14. (26) Dave Salzarulo, Monson, Mass., Chevrolet, 165.

15. (20) Ken Heagy, Calverton, N.Y., Ford, 165.

16. (21) Wade Cole, Hartland, Conn., Chevrolet, 165.

17. (22) Rowan Pennink, Huntingdon Valley, Pa., Chevrolet, 164.

18. (19) Jimmy Zacharias, Candor, N.Y., Chevrolet, 163.

19. (28) Gary McDonald, Ronkonkoma, N.Y., Pontiac, 163.

20. (4) Ron Silk, Norwalk, CT, Chevrolet, 162.

21. (6) Derek Ramstrom, West Boylston, Mass., Chevrolet, 161.

22. (23) Timmy Solomito, Islip, N.Y., Chevrolet, 156, steering.

23. (18) Shawn Solomito, Islip, N.Y., Chevrolet, 155, accident.

24. (14) Tommy Barrett, Jr., Millis, Mass., Chevrolet, 154, accident.

25. (3) Eric Goodale, Riverhead, N.Y., Chevrolet, 72, bell housing.

26. (17) Spencer Davis, Dawsonville, Ga., Pontiac, 70, steering.

27. (27) Melissa Fifield, Wakefield, N.H., Chevrolet, 66, brakes.

28. (7) Craig Lutz, Miller Place, N.Y., Chevrolet, 33, steering.

 

Race Statistics

Time of Race: 1 hour 8 minutes 4 seconds

Margin of Victory: 0.389 seconds

Fastest Qualifier: D.Lia (97.339 mph, 13.869 seconds)

Caution Flags: 6 for 45 laps.

Lead Changes: 3 among 2 drivers.

Lap Leaders: D. Lia 1-115; B. Santos 116; D. Lia 117-132; B. Santos 133-165.

Standings: 1. J. Bonsignore, 168; 2. D. Coby, 166; 3. B. Santos, 163; 4. W. Pitkat, 160; 5. T. Christopher, 151; 6. P. Emerling, 135; 7. D. Lia, 134; 8. R. Pennink, 133; 9. R. Silk, 133; 10. R. Yuhas, Jr., 133.