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By Michael Jaworecki
Photo: Tom Morris Racing Photography.
Anytime Justin Bonsignore does not win it almost seems unusual. Well, yesterday at new Smyrna Speedway it did not seem unusual at all.
While Justin was not at the top of the charts during practice, he was in the top 5, then came qualifying.
New year, new tire but the same old Justin that we have seen at so many races over the years. Justin takes the American Racer pole award then leads the stout field of NASCAR WMT Modifieds to the green.
He did not lead the entire race, but he led early from the drop of the green and later dominated the finish of the race to win his 48th career NASCAR WMT race.
Justin was strong on restarts with the exception of one restart that he started outside and Austin Beers took the lead briefly. But then he took the lead right back.
His car looked solid all night long, in victory lane he thanked his team for solid strategy and pit stops.
The finish was reminiscent of last year’s September race at NHMS as Justin and Tyler Rypkema ran side by side on the final restart. This time the difference was Justin beat Tyler to turn 3 and then the caution came out ending the race this time with Justin as the winner.
After I asked Justin specifically about the race and the new tire.
“I thought it was a solid first race for American Racer and it was something to build on. They showed the tire can last a long time with considerable fall off”
Race Notes:
22 cars finished on the lead lap.
5 drivers lead the race. Laps led- Justin Bonsignore 95, Ryan Preece 66, Austin Beers 31, Max Zachem 10, Andrew Krause 1. 8 changes involving 5 drivers.
Top 10 Driver Points: Justin Bonsignore 49, Tyler Rypkema 42, Austin Beers 42, Patrick Emerling 40, Craig Lutz 39, Jon McKennedy 38, Ryan Preece 38, Ryan Newman 36, Trevor Catalano 35, Eric Goodale 34
Several drivers’ seasons did not start well with mechanical issues or accidents.
Jimmy Blewett made his return to the series with Gershow Recycling #2 looked strong early but came to stop with read end issues.
Ron Silk’s championship hopes were dealt a big blow. Ron tangled with Tyler Rypkema bouncing off the 3rd turn wall relegating him to a 32nd place finish.
Ryan Preece fresh off his Cookout Clash win changed tires late but ran out of time to get to the lead and finished 7th.
Luke Baldwin had and up and down day and ended 1 lap short of the finish with a turn 4 wreck.
The race went red for a back stretch incident between Mike Marshal and Sam Rameau.
The top rookie, well the only rookie to make the race was Teddy Hodgdon IV with a solid 11th place finish.
Contingency Awards:
Phil Kurze Halfway Leader: Ryan Preece, 40 Racechoice
SUNOCO Fuel Award 10TH: Eric Goodale, 58 GAF Roofing
SUNOCO Fuel Award 1ST: Justin Bonsignore, 51 Phoenix Communications Inc.
SUNOCO Fuel Award 5TH: Craig Lutz, 46 Riverhead Building Supply
Unofficial Results of the New Smyrna Beach Area Visitors Bureau
February 7th 2026 New Smyrna Speedway
1. Justin Bonsignore #51
2. Tyler Rypkema #3
3. Austin Beers #64
4. Patrick Emerling #1
5. Craig Lutz #46
6. Jonathan McKennedy #79
7. Ryan Preece #40
8. Ryan Newman #4
9. Trevor Catalano #56
10. Eric Goodale #58
11. Teddy Hodgdon IV*#05
12. Matt Hirschman #60
13. Stephen Kopcik #21
14. Jimmy Zacharias #71
15. Joey Coulter IV #02
16. Max Zachem #20
17. Tommy Catalano #54
18. John-Michael Shenette #8
19. Michael Christopher Jr #31
20. Carson Loftin #73
21. Mark Stewart #81
22. Ken Heagy #18
23. Luke Baldwin #7
24. Jeremy Gerstner #55
25. Jimmy Blewett #2
26. Timmy Solomito#66
27. Kyle Bonsignore #22
28 Andrew Krause#22
29. Sam Rameau #99
30. Mike Marshall #29
31. Bobby Labonte #38
32. Ron Silk #16
Next Race: Martinsville Speedway March 27th 2026
