RPW Exclusive: The Champ Trail: Aftermath Of NASCAR Mods At Wilkesboro, Racing At Bowman Gray & More…
Column Compiled By: PHIL SMITH / RPW – WESTERLY, RI – On Wednesday, May 21, 2025, NASCAR announced the following penalties were issued coming out of the event at North Wilkesboro Speedway.
NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour driver Stephen Kopcik has been suspended for one race and fined $1,500. He will be suspended from NASCAR until the fine is paid and is on probation until December 31, 2025. The rule infraction is as follows: 12-8.1 Member Conduct Guidelines C. #4 Intentionally wrecking another vehicle, whether or not that vehicle is removed from Competition as a result.
NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour driver Tyler Rypkema has been fined $500 and suspended from NASCAR until the fine is paid. He is on probation until December 31, 2025. The rule infraction is as follows: 12-8.1 Member Conduct Guidelines 1. Heat of the moment actions or reactions, either on or off the race track.
E.1. Actions by a NASCAR Member that NASCAR finds to be detrimental to stock car racing or NASCAR.
9-4.2.1 On-Track Incident Procedure A 3 After being directed to exit the vehicle, the driver must immediately proceed to either the ambulance, other vehicle or as otherwise directed by safety personnel or a NASCAR Official. 5 At no time should a driver or crew member(s) approach another moving vehicle.
The next scheduled event for the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Series is for Saturday May31 at the Seekonk Speedway.
The one thing that is really amazing that these infractions are never enforced when they happen at the Bowman Gray Stadium on almost a weekly basis???
The Memorial Day weekend started out on a wet note when rain and mist dampened all activity at the Stafford Motor Speedway on Friday night. It did stay dry in Virginia when the SMART Tour invaded the high banked, 22deg banked 1/3 mile Franklin County Speedway for a 110 lap- Kenny Minter Memorial. It was a long drawn out affair that started shortly after 8:00pm and didn’t get over until shortly after 11:30pm. What complicated matters when the track ran out of Speedy-dry to clean up oil left on the track. When the race finally restarted Joey Braun led the field to the green only to over drive and went high in turn one. Ryan Newman went low , taking the lead and led the final laps for the win. Luke Baldwin finished second with Blake Barney third and Danny Bohn, fourth. Braun recovered to finish fifth. Burt Myers finished sixth.
Friday night racing at the Stafford Motor Speedway was postponed due to rain. Same for the New London-Waterford Speedbowl on Saturday night.
Down in the southland at the Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, NC twin 25’s were the bill of fare. Burt Myers ran second to Brandon Ward for 23 laps of the first 25 before making the pass for the lead and eventual win. Myers now has 100 wins at the track. He was not as fortunate on the nightcap as he finished eighth as Bob Measmer took the win.
The Monaco Tri-Track Modified Series traveled to Barre Vermont last Sunday. Despite the fact that $10,000 waa on the nose a somewhat light field of cars, 15, were on hand. Austin Beers saved the beat for last as he passed Matt Swanson for the lead for the eventual win with two to go in the 100 lap event. The event had it’s drama as once again Stephen Kopcik showed his true colors as a driver who has little concern for his fellow competitors as he parked Teddy Hogdon who was attempting to pass.for the lead. Tri Track officials wasted little time before taking action and moving Kopcik to the rear as a result of his dirty driving. In two laps Kopcik came from the rear to finish fifth. The final result showed Beers taking the win followed by Swanson, George Bessett Jr, Jon McKennedy, Kopcik, Chris Pasteryak, Ron Williams, Matt Kimball, Woody Pitkat and Brett Meservy.
The NASCAR Hall of Fame has announced Kurt Busch, Harry Gant and Ray Hendrick as the Class of 2026. These individuals take their rightful places in NASCAR history. NASCAR will celebrate their enduring legacy during the Class of 2026 Induction Ceremony on January 23, 2026. With an extensive list of accomplishments throughout their careers, drivers Kurt Busch, Harry Gant and Ray Hendrick have secured their place in NASCAR history.
Ray Hendrick is one of the winningest drivers of all time, amassing more than 700 Modified and Late Model Sportsman wins between 1950 and 1988. Hendrick’s success started in his home state of Virginia, where his famous No. 11 was known to all. He won five track championships at South Boston Speedway – four modified and one late model sportsman.
Hendrick was known as a driver that was willing to race ‘anywhere and everywhere,’ filling his schedule with modified and late model sportsman races across the East coast. Though he made his name dominating short tracks, Hendrick also produced impressive victories at Talladega, Charlotte and Dover.
Despite never winning a Modified Division championship, Hendrick finished in the top 10 in the standings nine times from 1960-69. Hendrick was named one of NASCAR’s 75 Greatest Drivers and one of NASCAR Modified’s All-Time Top 10 Drivers.
During the 60’s and seventies, Hendrick was so dominating that when ever he showed up to race everyone else was running for second.
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).
