RPW Exclusive: The Champ Trail: After Week Off, SMART Mods Return, NASCAR Mod Tour News & More…

Column Compiled By: PHIL SMITH / RPW – WESTERLY, RI – The Southern Modified Auto Racing Tour (SMART) tour took a week off before heading to the South Boston Speedway in Virginia for the MARCH 21-22: KING OF THE MODIFIEDS AT SOBO.

Sunny and warm skies made for a perfect race day in Virginia. A full grandstand, 33 SMART Modifieds and temps in the high 60s made for a perfect race day.

Matt Hirschman lived up to his reputation as he scored the 125 lap win over Stephen Kopcik and Luke Baldwin. Hirschman collected a cool $20 grand for his efforts. The event had it’s drama. On lap 91, Jake Crumb in the Jamie Tomaino #99 and Jack Baldwin came together in a grinding crash that concluded in the first turn concrete wall which caused extreme damage to both cars. Many including Baldwin and his crew felt it was intentional and a carry-over from a previous confrontation between the two. A slow motion review showed it was an accident. As both cars entered turn one it showed Crumb on the inside with Baldwin on the outside. The replay showed the Crumb car wiggle as his left rear tire was going down. His car shifted to the right, making contact with Baldwin and into the wall they went.

Following a restart it was clear sailing for Hirschman and Kopcik to the finish. Luke Baldwin finished third with Brandon Ward and Carson Loftin rounding out the top five. Sixth thru tenth included Paul Hartwig, Joey Bravo, Ryan Newman, Eddie McCarthy and Jayden Harman. Hirschman spent the entire race inside the top-three and led from Lap 77 onwards.

Baldwin paced the field throughout the first stage of the race but was passed on lap 38 by two-time Whelen Modified Tour champion Ron Silk. Silk charged from 5th to 1st after the first caution of the race flew on lap 20 for a spinning Jeremy Gerstner that triggered a multi-car accident off turn 2.

Despite having a strong car the race changed for Silk when he stayed out on a caution at lap 55 that brought most of the leaders to pit road. Electing to pit later Silk was trapped back in the pack and eventually eliminated from the race in a multi-car crash off turn 4.

There were 12 cars on the lead lap at the finish, representing the north was Chris Pasteryak who finished 12th, just ahead of Burt Myers. The SMART tour takes a week off before heading for Rougemont, NC on April 5.

NASCAR today announced on Monday, March 24, the promotion of current NASCAR Modified Tour Director Jimmy Wilson to the role of Senior Technical Director, NASCAR Regional. In his new role, Wilson will oversee all technical elements, rules and regulations for the NASCAR Regional Series, which includes the ARCA Menards Series, ARCA Menards Series East and West, NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour and the Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series. As part of his new duties, Wilson will collaborate with the NASCAR Regional Series Directors and NASCAR Research & Development staff to develop and uphold technical standards, as well as collaborate in sporting and officiating elements, in the Regional Series.

Jimmy Wilson’s many decades of experience in motorsports perfectly aligns with this new role guiding the NASCAR Regional Series’ technical regulations,” said Joey Dennewitz, NASCAR Managing Director, Regional Series. “The importance of this role cannot be understated. As the NASCAR Regional platform continues to expand in both size and stature, a greater focus will be placed on its rules and regulations. Jimmy is the perfect person to lead that endeavor.” Wilson will remain in his current role with the NASCAR Modified Tour until that position is filled.

Wilson began his officiating career at New Smyrna Speedway before moving to Volusia County Speedway in 1992, where he was appointed Chief Starter and Race Director at 17 years of age. In 1995, he joined NASCAR full-time in Timing & Scoring. Wilson became Race Director for the USAR Hooters Pro Cup Series in 1999 and later served as Vice President/Series Director. In 2011, he returned to NASCAR as Series Director of the NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour and since 2013, has held his current position as Senior Director of the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour.

Much like teams and drivers are getting geared up for the 2025 season at Stafford Speedway, Casella Waste is gearing up for a huge season at Stafford. Casella Waste will continue its role as a title sponsor by sponsoring the Inaugural Casella Waste SK Modified® 80, set for Friday, June 6th. Casella Waste had been the title sponsor of the Casella Waste Open 80 the past two seasons and are now transferring that title sponsorship to the newly created SK Modified® 80.

Coastal 181, Reading For Racers has released their 2024-2025 Catalog of great books. Among the newer titles is “Lazzaro, the man and his machine”. Lou Lazzaro became one of the Northeast’ most revered drivers of all time. He was equally as good on dirt as he was on asphalt. For many years he raced and won, sometimes three to five times a week at his home tracks, the Albany Saratoga Speedway in Malta, NY, Fonda Speedway in Fonda, NY and at the Utica-Rome Speedway in Vernon, New York. Lazzaro was a regular track representative for the All Star League that raced on dirt and asphalt tracks during the late 60’s. The most remarkable thing was that he did it all with the same car. One of his biggest fans believe it or not was Richie Evans. Other great reading in the Coastal 181 catalog include “Ray Everham-Trophies and Scars”, “Bugsy”, “Richie”, “Eddie Flemke” and “The Soul of a Modified” Lenny Boehlers Ole Blue. Call Coastal181 at 877-907-8181.

The all new book, The Modified Years At Stafford, by the Grace of God and 600 hp, is gaining interest and has become a must have in race fans and competitors library. Race by Race, Year by Year, it’s all there. Read all about it! Books are now available on Amazon.com and Coastal 181 (877-907-8181 toll free) and are available thru Stafford’s web site in their store. Order yours now. Makes a great gift!

With the cooperation of the Arute family another book has been published with pictures and biographies of the 50 Greatest Drivers at Stafford.

The Stafford Motor Speedway had become the epicenter of NASCAR Modified racing in the northeast by the late 1980’s. From its dirt beginnings to its lightning-fast asphalt, Stafford had become the toughest and most gratifying track to score a victory. The Arute family which has owned and guided the destiny of the facility commissioned their thousands of loyal fans to name their favorite drivers. In alphabetical order so as not to offend anyone:

Tom Baldwin, Gene Bergin, Brett Bodine, Geoff Bodine, Ken Bouchard, Ron Bouchard, Mario “Fats” Caruso, Rene Charland, Ted Christopher, Leo Cleary, Tim Connolly, Jerry Cook, Corky Cookman, Pete Corey, Fred DeSarro, Richie Evans, Mike Ewanitsko, Ed Flemke, Sr., Jeff Fuller, Rick Fuller, Ernie Gahan, Bill Greco, Bo Gunning, Ray Hendrick, George “Moose” Hewitt, Tony Hirschman, George Janoski, Charlie Jarzombek, George Kent, Buddy Krebs, Randy LaJoie, Jan Leaty, Jerry Marquis, Mike McLaughlin, Ray Miller, Steve Park, Bob Polverari, Bob Potter, Brian Ross, John “Reggie” Ruggiero, Greg Sacks, Ollie Silva, “Wild” Bill Slater, Jimmy Spencer, Mike Stefanik, Carl “Bugsy” Stevens, George Summers, Jamie “The Jet” Tomaino, Maynard Troyer and Satch Worley.

Books are priced at $17.95 each and be purchased at the track at the Novelty Booth or at the Stafford Motor Speedway on line store. Books are also available at Amazon.com and at Coastal181 (877-907-8181).