Ryan Newman never has been one to back down from a challenge. So, last year when the opportunity to compete in the UNOH Perfect Storm 150 Whelen Modified Series at Bristol Motor Speedway presented itself, he was like a kid in a candy store.
Newman, who had been involved in a first-lap incident in the Perfect Storm 150 in 2009, was thrilled to have a chance to redeem himself. And he made the most of it by taking the checkered flag in last year’s race.
“I love racing at Bristol, no matter what kind of car I’m in,” he said. “As a racer you always look forward to Bristol. I had won in a Nationwide car and that was pretty cool, but winning that Modified race was something else – and it was a great race for Bristol too.”
Newman returns to the World’s Fastest Half-Mile, again looking for redemption after winning, then being disqualified, at a Modified event earlier in the season at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. NASCAR took away the win after inspectors discovered that engine intake manifold ports did not seal completely to the cylinder head ports, and suspended team owner Kevin “Bono” Manion from the series for the rest of the year.
“Getting back in a modified car has been on my mind ever since getting the win taken away at New Hampshire,” he said. “Bono and the guys have never let me down. They build great cars and have proven we have what it takes to run up front and win against the guys that run the series each week.
“Bristol is a fun track to race at. Handling is important and you need a strong car from start to finish. It’s not the easiest track to get around, you’re constantly battling traffic and passing is tough. Patience is key for a good finish there.”
Ron Silk, who has two Whelen Modified wins this season, enters the UNOH Perfect Storm 150 standing atop the points with 1,405. Rowan Pennink is second with 1,389, followed by Todd Szegedy (1,324), Ted Christopher (1,296) and Bobby Santos (1,292). Christopher leads the series in wins with four, while Santos has scored three victories this season.
Qualifying for the UNOH Perfect Storm 150 is Wednesday, Aug. 24 at 2:45 p.m., with the race set to get under way at 6 p.m.
The UNOH Perfect Storm 150 is part of a Wednesday night doubleheader that also features the O’Reilly Auto Parts 200 Camping World Truck Series race, which will take place at 8 p.m.
Wednesday night doubleheader tickets for the O’Reilly Auto Parts 200 and the UNOH Perfect Storm 150 are $25 in advance of the race and $30 on the night of the races.
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