THOMPSON, Conn. — Preseason favorite Todd Szegedy broke through for his first victory of the 2008 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour season Sunday afternoon in the Sunoco Modified Mania 150 at Thompson Int’l Speedway.
Szegedy, who ran inside the top five for most of the afternoon, took his first lead of the race on lap 132 and held off several charges by Ronnie Silk over the last 22 laps for his 13th-career victory and third at Thompson.
Silk, who entered the event on a two-race winning streak at Thompson, led seven laps in the race, but could not get past Szegedy despite three restarts in the closing circuits.
Doug Coby came home third in the race, his second such finish in as many starts this year. Long-time series veterans Reggie Ruggiero and Rick Fuller came home fourth and fifth, respectively, for their best finishes of the year. Fuller was honored prior to the race as part of NASCAR’s Celebration of 60 Years of Modified Champions. Sunday’s finish was the 145th top five of his career.
The finish:
Todd Szegedy, Ronnie Silk, Doug Coby, Reggie Ruggiero, Rick Fuller, Bobby Santos, Billy Pauch, Jr., Rowan Pennink, Matt Hirschman, Eric Beers, Kevin Goodale, Danny Sammons, Bobby Grigas III, Ted Christopher, Chuck Hossfeld, Tony Ferrante, Joe Hartmann, Ken Heagy, Wade Cole, Tom Abele, Jr., Jake Marosz, Mike Stefanik, Gary McDonald, Renee Dupuis, Glen Reen, Jimmy Blewett, Ryan Preece, Glenn Tyler, Richard Savary, Ed Flemke, Jr., Eric Berndt, Jamie Tomaino.