Column By: BRITTANY NUTILE / RPW – LOUDON, NH – After the week the NASCAR community had with the passing of legend Mike Stefanik, the atmosphere at the Full Throttle Fall Weekend at New Hampshire Motor Speedway was somber.
However, people were happy to be back at the racetrack for one of the biggest events of the season and to honor the legacy of a man that meant so much to our sport.
They were happy to share memories of the nine-time NASCAR Series champion and to be with the entire NASCAR family. They were ready to remembered Mike and all he had done for this sport.
NASCAR is a big family and you could feel that at New Hampshire this weekend and many teams had different ways to show it
For the Whelen Modified Tour event, Timmy Solomito honored Mike by doing a tribute paint scheme of his iconic X6 Modified…one he had a lot of success with.on the side of the car. Justin Bonsignore also had a tribute banner on the back of his car in memory of Stefanik. The veteran left his mark on the series.
In the K&N Series, young Max McLaughlin exchanged his regular car number 1 for the 51, and carried a special paint scheme in honor of Stefanik. The scheme was one that Mike won his two series championships in, back when it was the old Busch North.
The car was absolutely gorgeous and was surely a huge honor to Mike and his whole family. Spencer Davis also had a tribute on the trunk lid of his car with a photo of when Mike won a race at NHMS. It also carried all of his Modified Tour and Busch North Series statistics.
There were a lot of special moments this weekend at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. On Saturday, before the event began, Solomito and McLaughlin had their two cars on the track and took a ceremonial lap side-by-side.
Prior to the Modified Tour event, the field performed a four-wide salute to Stefanik with the X6 leading the way. It was a very special moment and you could hear the cheers for Stefanik. It gave everyone in attendance chills to see and and also hear.
God speed to the legend. We will miss you Mike!
