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By Souza Media/Kyle Souza
HOLTSVILLE, N.Y. — Justin Bonsignore is heading to Stafford Motor Speedway this Saturday, September 25, with two goals in mind, but one is more important than the other. Bonsignore would love to finally carry the checkered flag at the Connecticut half-mile, after coming up short in his first 40 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour races at the track. However, the larger goal surrounds the championship battle.
The Holtsville, New York native — and two-time series champion — enters the race with a 16-point advantage over Patrick Emerling, in search of a third title in four years. Bonsignore will need to have a solid day at Stafford in order to clinch the championship for his Kenneth Massa Motorsports based team and etch his name in the record books once again.
“We just have to go out there and race the same way we have been racing all season,” Bonsignore said. “We have to have a maximum day — qualify well, get a good pit stall selection, and try to get out front, lead laps and control the race, then wait for the pit stop. With the different tire strategies that happen at Stafford, it makes it difficult to figure it out. This should be a lot of business as usual for us, just a bit more conscious of where we are at with the points. There is a long way to go before we can think about winning the championship — we don’t want to be ahead of ourselves. It would be special to become a three-time series champion. Not many guys are on that list and they are all legends of the modifieds.”
Bonsignore has 18 wins across his last 54 Whelen Modified Tour starts as part of the last four year run at the top of the series. Even in 2019, he finished second in the championship battle. He looks to become only the fourth driver in the history of the series to capture three or more titles — he would join Mike Stefanik (seven), Doug Coby (six) and Tony Hirschman (five) on the list, if he can accomplish the feat.
The schedule for the final race of the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour season includes one practice session from 1:20-2:20 p.m., followed by Mayhew Tools pole qualifying at 4 p.m. The drop of the green flag in the NAPA Fall Final 150 is scheduled for 6 p.m., and will air live on NBC Sports Gold’s TrackPass platform. Tickets will also be available for those who are near the track and would like to watch the season-finale in person.
For more information on Justin Bonsignore, visit JustinBonsignore.com and follow his athlete page on Facebook for the latest updates, including from the track on race day.
