0
0
Nu-Way Auto Parts 150 Set for Saturday, August 3
By: Dale Wolbrink
LANCASTER, N.Y. (July 3, 2024) – The history books at Lancaster Motorplex in Lancaster, NY, are dotted with the Catalano name. From their Uncle Buck to Mom Amy and even a non-related Mike, the list of winners also includes Tommy and Trevor.
The eldest of the Whelen Modified Tour racing trio of brothers, Tommy has seven (7) victories to his credit at Lancaster. Dating back to 2014, the wins have come in the Late Model, TQ and Sportsman divisions. A win in a tour- modified would be the biggest of his career.
The Ontario, NY, driver will get his shot when the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour returns on August 3 for the running of the Nu-Way Auto Parts 150.
“A Tour win at Lancaster would top any other win I have ever had,” said Catalano. “To win, especially the Whelen race, in front of a hometown crowd at such a historic track with significance to our family would be a huge deal to me. Plus, we could celebrate because we don’t have a 7-hour ride home.”
The proximity to home is one of the many benefits to the event for Catalano. Familiarity helps provide a competitive advantage as well.
“Despite this being the Tour’s third appearance here, I think that there is still a bit of an advantage for us,” said Catalano. “We have a thicker notebook, and we have the background knowledge of circumstances and how they generally play out here.” Tommy has four Sportsman wins and has two Late Model victories at the historic Lancaster venue.
Not only would the victory be sweet, so too are the memories. “As a kid, you couldn’t go to Lancaster without getting fried dough,” said Catalano. The classic fair fare is still available at Lancaster’s grandstand area “Snack Shack.’
With a racing legacy that includes his mother Amy’s two Sportsman feature wins, Tommy spent time during his formative years at the Motorplex. “I remember US Open Weekends; we would get out of school early to go to the track. We always camped there but couldn’t go into the pits so we would just be going back and forth from the camper to the grandstands. It was always a blast.”
With fireworks from Skylighters of NY, the 2024 Nu-Way Auto Parts 150 will be a blast too! A full-racing card on Saturday, August 3 will include Lancaster’s weekly divisions, the Insinger Performance/VP Race Fuels Sportsman, Monroe Extinguisher Street Stocks and the Rusty Diamond Cores Pro 4’s (four cylinders)
Tommy’s deep affinity for the racetrack goes beyond familial accomplishments and fond memories. “Of all the tracks we go to, Lancaster is still my favorite,” added Catalano. “There is nowhere else like it with its swoopy corners and the transition off the racetrack makes this place unique and very cool.”
Tickets are now on sale at SeetheEvents.com. The event website is hosted by Speed Enterprises Entertainment in conjunction with Lancaster Motorplex. A full schedule will be released in the coming days.
Undoubtedly, Tommy Catalano will don his signature smile throughout race day as he and his brothers pursue race winning celebrations and family memories.
For more information on the Nu-Way Auto Parts 150 visit LancasterMotorplexNY.com.
For more information, follow Lancaster Motorplex on social media and visit the website at www.lancastermotorplexny.com
