Stephen Kopcik fends of Jon McKennedy’s charges and goes back-to-back with the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour at Thompson Speedway
RPW Exclusive Column By: Stephen Durham – RACEPROWEEKLY – THOMPSON, CT – It took 22 starts with the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour for Stephen Kopcik to break into the win column at Martinsville. Stephen Kopcik and the Wanick Motorsports team now have back-to-back wins on the tour and are firing on all cylinders after three races into the season.
Leading the field to the green was Matt Hirschman who grabbed the pole, and Jon McKennedy who qualified second, was likely a heavy favorite heading into the day.
Early on, it was McKennedy setting the pace of the field, until a lap 23 caution, due to Trevor Catalano spinning in turn 2. Catalano would eventually retire later in the race due to a mechanical failure.
After the restart, it was McKennedy once again setting the pace of the field, which would eventually be the longest green-flag run of the race. Behind him Hirschman took over 2nd from Kopcik. Kopcik then was battling with Ronnie Williams for third, but would hold on for third.
About 20 laps later, it was Kopcik picking up 2nd place from Hirschman, and Ron Silk was on the move as well, picking up third place from Hirschman a couple of laps later.
A couple of drivers who were turning heads and grabbing attention was that of the young and local favorite, Mike Christopher Jr., along with another fan favorite of Matt Swanson.
During the 78 lap green-flag run, Christopher Jr. made his way into the top 5 by lap 100, and then was followed by Swanson, eventually made it all the way up to third. Swanson was on the bumper of Kopcik when the caution flew on lap 107.
The green-flag run lasted 78 laps until an accident involving Ronnie Williams in turn 4 would bring out the caution. Williams was forced to retire from the race due to breaking the left-rear and heavy damage to the nose.
This caution would bring the whole field down pit-road, including the leaders. During the pit-stops, Kopcik crew got him out first ahead of McKennedy in 2nd. With the remaining top 5 being Austin Beers in third, Silk in fourth, and Chase Dowling rounding out the top 5. Matt Swanson fell back to ninth after the pit-stops.
On the restart, Kopcik was able to get out front, but had to ward off challenges from McKennedy through the first 10 to 15 laps on the restart. Kopcik then began to create breathing room.
Kopcik would set sail away from the field to go back-to-back. Finishing second was Silk, Christopher Jr. would fight his way up to third, followed by McKennedy in fourth, and Hirschman in fifth.
Kopcik was very grateful once more, but especially at a track he said he felt he had struggled at.
“I feel like I’ve struggled with this place a bit. We’ve won here in SK type modifieds and had good runs with other divisions, but this place is really tough,” Kopcik says “like yesterday with the Tri-Track series, I struggled terribly with it. Makes you wonder if you can ever win here.”
For Kopcik, winning closer to home at Thompson Speedway, felt that much more special.
“We struggled yesterday with the Tri-Track series race, then today to win with the tour, against some of your favorite drivers you grew up watching, this means a lot,” an emotional Kopcik explains “Jon was super strong in the race. We had nothing in the beginning for him, I honestly can’t believe we pulled it off.”
After the race at Thompson, Kopcik now leads the championship standings over Austin Beers in 2nd, and Tyler Rypkema in 3rd. The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour heads to Maine for the next race, where they will race at Oxford Plains Speedway on May 2nd. Catch all the racing live on FloRacing.
