8/6/2023
Lancaster Speedway
Austin Beers Wins NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Nu-Way Auto Parts 150
LANCASTER, N.Y. (August 5, 2023) – Northampton, PA’s Austin Beers joined his father Eric as a feature winner at Lancaster Motorplex on Saturday night, as the second-generation driver from “Mud Lane” was victorious in the Nu-Way Auto Parts 150 for the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour. Trevor Catalano from Ontario, NY won his first career Monroe Extinguisher Sportsman feature event. Mark Hoch from West Seneca, NY won his fourth Street Stock feature of the season. Russ Bulger Jr from Tonawanda, NY won the Rusty Diamond Cores 4 Cylinder feature.
Justin Bonsignore and Matt Hirschman were on the front row for the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Nu-Way Auto Parts 150, with Bonsignore showing the way ahead of Hirschman, Austin Beers, Chuck Hossfeld, and Doug Coby. Hirschman challenged and would pass Bonsignore for the lead on lap 20. Austin Beers would take over second from Bonsignore on lap 29 and would start to go after Hirschman. Doug Coby would take fourth away from Hossfeld on lap 45. Tommy Catalano would take over fifth from Hossfeld on lap 47. Hirschman and Beers would check out on the field as the race reached its halfway point. Bryan Narducci spun in turn three to bring out the race’s first caution just past the halfway mark. While on pit road, Austin Beers was able to take the lead away from Hirschman. Ron Silk would battle with Bonsignore for second position and would complete the pass on lap 95. While the leaders encountered lap traffic, Silk, Coby, and Hirschman all battled for the runner-up position. Hirschman would take over third on lap 125, just as Catalano reentered the top five after passing Justin Bonsignore. The caution would come out on lap 130, as Anthony Sesely and Tim Connolly got together on the front straightaway. The restart on lap 138 would see Beers in the lead ahead of Hirschman. Beers would hold off Hirschman over the final 12 laps to score his second Whelen Modified Tour win of the season, and first career win at Lancaster. Ron Silk would finish the race in third place and was followed to the line by Justin Bonsignore, and Chuck Hossfeld. Fans can catch the TV replay on CNBC on Sunday, August 20 at 9am or rewatch the race at their leisure on FloRacing.
Tom MacLeod and Shawn Nye brought the Monroe Extinguisher Sportsman to the green flag for their feature event, with Nye taking the lead. Nye would continue to have the lead ahead of MacLeod, George Skora III, John Barber, Tony Carbone, and Andy Jankowiak racing inside the top six. Skora would take second away from MacLeod on lap eight, and by lap 10, would pressure Nye for the lead. Trevor Catalano would pass Jankowiak to take over the fourth position, Jankowiak would bring out the caution on lap 13, after spinning down the back straightaway. Nye would continue to lead Skora on the restart, ahead of Trevor Catalano and John Barber. Skora would continue to lead as Trevor Catalano would start to apply the pressure. Catalano would take the lead on lap 25, as Skora was being challenged by John Barber for second place. Barber would take over the runner-up position on lap 27. Catalano would pull away from the field to earn his first Lancaster victory.
Garett Cleversley and Dan Dressel were on the front row for the Budget RV Outlet of Buffalo Street Stocks feature event, with Cleversley showing the way. Dressel got turned in turn two to bring out the caution. Then, on the ensuing restart, Garrett Cleversley made contact on the front straightaway, setting off a multi-car pileup in turn one. Chris Barber would set the pace with Dave Johnson in second. Then Barber got loose off turn four and would bring out the caution on lap two. Dave Johnson would lead following the restart, with David Brunka challenging Welshans for second and would complete the pass on lap five. Mark Hoch would get around both Brunka and Johnson to take the lead on lap seven. Brunka spun in turn two and collected Lou Carbone to bring out the caution. The lap seven restart would see Hoch start to pull away from the balance of the field. Gary Bartella would take over third place on lap 13 and would start to go after the lead duo of Hoch and Johnson. Following a lap 18 caution, Hoch would once again have the advantage and would go on to score the feature win. Dave Johnson, who crossed the line in second failed post-race inspection.
James Dunkleman III and Russ Bulger Jr were on the front row for the Rusty Diamond Cores 4 Cylinders feature event on the big track, with Bulger Jr taking over the lead ahead of Kyle Casper and Jeff Szafraniec. After a lap four caution for debris, Bulger would once again take off in the lead ahead of Casper, Szafraniec, Josh Schosek, and Nick Galusha. Szafraniec would take over second on lap seven, but that would be as far front as he would get. Bulger would pull away from the field to score his first career win at Lancaster.
Fans were treated to a lot of festivities in the midway concourse throughout the day, including the autograph sessions with Sege Fidanza, Tim Mangus, and Chuck Hossfeld, as well as the driver’s autograph session with the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour drivers who were in attendance. The King Wolf Production Big Wheels also took place with roughly 30 kids participating.
Stock car racing action continues at Lancaster on Saturday, August 12th for the 34th Annual Tribute to Tommy Druar/Tony Jankowiak 110 for the Race of Champions Modified Series. The Budget RV Outlet of Buffalo Street Stocks, Rusty Diamond Cores 4 Cylinders, and the Mighty TQ Midgets will all be in action. Also, on tap will be the King Wolf Productions Big Wheels! Kids aged 3-12 can sign up at the picnic tables in the main concourse when gates open and race during intermission and can participate in the Kids Korner Craft hosted by the 50/50 ticket sellers. Pit gates will open at 2pm, grandstands open at 4pm, and racing will begin at 6:30pm.
For more information, follow Lancaster Motorplex on social media and for the complete 2023 schedules, visit the website at www.lancastermotorplexny.com
RACE RESULTS – NU-WAY AUTO PARTS 150 NASCAR WHELEN MODIFIED TOUR
NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour: AUSTIN BEERS, Matt Hirschman, Ron Silk, Justin Bonsignore, Chuck Hossfeld, Tommy Catalano, Doug Coby, Bryan Narducci, Kyle Bonsignore, Kyle Ebersole, Max McLaughlin, Tyler Rypkema, Anthony Nocella, Tommy Wanick, Gary McDonald, Melisa Fifield, Anthony Sesely, Tim Connolly, Ken Haegy, Mike Leaty
Fast Time: Justin Bonsignore (17.293sec)
Monroe Extinguisher Sportsman: TREVOR CATALANO, John Barber, George Skora III, John Wilbur, Tony Carbone, Tom MacLeod, Andy Lewis, Tim Garlock, Jeff Szafraniec, Andrew Cook, Chris Pennell, Andrew Nye, Dave Kozlowski, Jake Vernon, Tim Nies, Shawn Nye, Andy Jankowiak, Cameron Ruggiero, Paul Townsend, Scott Wylie, Tyler Catalano
Did Not Start: Rich Littlefield
Qualifying Heats: Andy Jankowiak, Tom MacLeod, George Skora III
Budget RV Outlet of Buffalo Street Stocks: MARK HOCH, Gary Bartella, Jacob Gustafson, Dustin Novoa, Mike Piccirilli, Tim Welshans, Jason Anasiewicz, Frank Batista Jr, Keith Flanigan, Tommy Wentland, Dylan Carbone, Chris Handley, Jerry Kosmowski, Kyle Schosek, David Brunka, Garret Cleversley, Rick Meyers, Alex Bialkowski, Lou Carbone, Marty Kling, Mike Rogers, Matt Friend, Chris Barber, Nik Welshans, Frank Prell, Dan Dressel, Mike Dalfonso, David Johnson (DQ)
Qualifying Heats: Nik Welshans, Tim Welshans, Mark Hoch
Rusty Diamond Cores 4 Cylinders: RUSS BULGER JR, Jeff Szafraniec, Josh Schosek, Kyle Casper, Evan Reardon, Nick Galusha, Bob Palmer, Jason Anasiewicz, Ashton Hannon, Connor Kurdziel, Bob Bogner, Hunter McKay, Mark Annis Jr, Chris Eagan, James Dunkleman III, Jay Withey, Dave Milbrand, Jim Dunkleman Jr
Qualifying Heats: James Dunkleman III, Russ Bulger Jr
PHOTO CREDIT: Howard Boundy/Boundy's NASCAR Museum
Article Credit: Steven Petty
Submitted By: Steven Petty
