 Tom Morris Racing Photography By Souza Media/Kyle Souza STAFFORD, Conn. -- Justin Bonsignore sealed his third career NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour championship on Saturday, September 25 at Stafford Motor Speedway. Bonsignore accomplished the goal in fine fashion -- taking down his first career win at the Connecticut half-mile after 40 times of coming up short. Bonsignore led the field for 74 of the 152 laps in the NAPA Fall Final 150, including for the final two, where he pulled away from six-time tour champion Doug Coby to score his elusive first Stafford win. In the process, Bonsignore cemented a growing dynasty with his No. 51 Phoenix Communications, Kenneth Massa Motorsports team. The championship was Bonsignore’s second consecutive, and third in the last four years. The Holtsville, New York, native became just the fourth driver in the 36-year history of the Whelen Modified Tour to win three or more championships -- joining Mike Stefanik (seven), Doug Coby (six) and Tony Hirschman (five) on the list. “I don’t even belong in that crowd, those guys are unbelievable,” Bonsignore said of the group. “It’s special. To come back after last year, with the shortened season, we had really good cars each and every week this year. We just couldn’t put the whole race together like we have in years past and get to Victory Lane. Tonight, to finally get a win here at Stafford to top off our third championship, it’s special.” Bonsignore used a strong car during the first 128 laps -- all under green -- to motor to the front. He started on the outside pole after qualifying second, and dropped to the bottom of the top-five early -- but it wasn’t long before he was charging back to the front. He took the lead from Anthony Nocella on lap 78 and led through the caution that was thrown at lap 129. The only time someone bested Bonsignore was when Doug Coby edged him to the line at the restart for a green-white-checkered finish at lap 150 -- but Bonsignore drove to the bottom of turn one and powered back to the lead, never looking back. Stafford -- a place where Bonsignore had run well at before -- was the most prestigious track on the list that Bonsignore had not been to Victory Lane. Finally, he can check it off his bucket list. “One-for-41,” Bonsignore screamed after climbing from the car, jumping on top of the No. 51 in celebration. “I’m so glad we could get the win here. Three-time champion, but I can’t get past winning at Stafford. To beat Doug Coby to do it -- it’s special. It’s unbelievable.” The four-year run for Bonsignore -- even though he didn’t win the title in 2019 -- is one of the more impressive in series history. Since the start of the 2018 season, Bonsignore has 19 wins, 42 top-fives, 39 top-10s and 14 poles in his last 54 races. In 15 years of Whelen Modified Tour competition -- all for Ken Massa Motorsports -- Bonsignore now has 31 career wins -- tied with Jeff Fuller and Coby for fifth on the all-time wins list. Crew chief Ryan Stone jumped into the team in 2018, and things have taken off from there. “Ryan walked right into the middle of a group of guys that had been together for a while,” Bonsignore said. “He just jumped right in with all of us instantly. His personality fits right in with our guys. We just have a great time as a team, no matter what. Ryan hates losing more than I do. He’s ruthless. We’re really fortunate to have found him.” The commitment that Massa and Bonsignore have shown to each other, after years of coming close, is finally paying off, in a big way. “Ken Massa, whenever Ryan calls and says we need something, he just doesn’t flinch,” Bonsignore said. “The combination of leadership on our team from top to bottom is unbelievable. No one pulls in the opposite direction. Everyone has one goal in mind -- to come out here and win races and win championships every year. I’m glad we could do it again for number three.” Bonsignore bested Patrick Emerling by 22 points in the final tally on the heels of two wins, 11 top-fives and 12 top-10 finishes in 14 championship points races this season. Justin Bonsignore will return to the track on Sunday, October 10 at Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park for the historic Thompson 300. For more information on Justin Bonsignore, visit JustinBonsignore.com and follow his athlete page on Facebook for the latest updates. Photos: Tom Morris Racing Photography
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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.  Photo: Michael Jaworecki/My Race News By Souza Media/Kyle Souza
RIVERHEAD, N.Y. -- A solid day at his home track has Justin Bonsignore one race away from his third NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour championship. Bonsignore drove the No. 51 Kenneth Massa Motorsports entry to a second-place finish in the Miller Lite 200 on Saturday, September 18 at Riverhead Raceway. While his closest points challenger Patrick Emerling went to Victory Lane, Bonsignore was right on his tail down to the wire, and only lost a few points in the title battle. The second-place effort was Bonsignore’s 13th consecutive top-five in Whelen Modified Tour action at the New York oval -- a stint that includes 11 finishes inside the top-three. “Congrats to Partrick, it got hairy a bit with the leaders there at one point,” Bonsignore said. “Track position is huge. It’s been a hell of a battle between the two of us all year. We will go into Stafford next week and try to have a good run. The way it was looking for parts of the race, I thought we were going to end up wrecked. I can’t thank everyone enough for all they do. It’s tough to points race, but I am happy to leave Riverhead with a solid finish.” Next up for Justin Bonsignore is the final race of the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour championship points schedule at Stafford Motor Speedway on Saturday, September 25. Bonsignore will look to seal his third championship in four years in the NAPA Fall Final. He leads Emerling by 16 points heading into the finale. For more information on Justin Bonsignore, visit JustinBonsignore.com and follow his athlete page on Facebook for the latest updates.  By Souza Media/Kyle Souza
HOLTSVILLE, N.Y. -- With just two races remaining in the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour championship fight, Justin Bonsignore is returning home to Riverhead Raceway this weekend. The driver of the No. 51 Kenneth Massa Motorsports entry returns to his home track in New York, where he has eight Whelen Modified Tour wins in 20 starts. In the first two stops at the quarter-mile this year, Bonsignore finished third in both races, leading a total of over 200 laps, combined. However, this race means a bit more. Bonsignore leads by 22 points over Patrick Emerling with just two events left: Riverhead and a trip to Stafford Motor Speedway on Saturday, September 25. Bonsignore is looking to seal his third championship in the last four years. “Looking forward to getting back to the home track and trying to get back to Victory Lane there,” Bonsignore said. “We’ve been close the last couple of times, but we know we need a little bit more to make it happen. We’re down to the final two races -- and we have to be conscious of the points, but our goal is still to go out there and win at Riverhead. It will be a special night in honor of Ed Partridge and I would love to hold the checkered flag when it’s over.” The race day schedule for the Miller Lite 200 includes one practice session from 3-4:30 p.m., followed by Mayhew Tools Dominator Pole qualifying at 6 p.m. The drop of the green flag is set for just after 8 p.m., with the race set to air live on NBC Sports Gold’s TrackPass platform. For more information on Justin Bonsignore, visit JustinBonsignore.com and follow his athlete page on Facebook for the latest updates.  By Souza Media/Kyle Souza
RICHMOND, Va. -- Justin Bonsignore’s day started off perfectly at Richmond Raceway. The driver of the No. 51 Kenneth Massa Motorsports entry was fastest in NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour practice ahead of the Virginia is For Racing Lovers 150, then won his 19th career pole award in Mayhew Tools qualifying. He was strong early in the race, and looked to be a contender to win the Whelen Modified Tour’s return to Richmond for the first time since 2002 after leading laps. Then, a mechanical failure sent him to the garage area. Bonsignore’s night ended early, as the two-time series champion finished 24th. Luckily for Bonsignore, Patrick Emerling, his closest challenger in the series championship standings, also fell out of the race early with a mechanical failure. With just two races remaining on the championship points schedule, Bonsignore holds a 22-point edge over Emerling in search of his third championship. “What are the odds Patrick and I both had the failures,” Bonsignore said. “That’s the first mechanical part failure we have had in a long time. It’s a shame, because we had a really good car. I was just biding my time. I thought we were in good shape, but it just wasn’t meant to be tonight. I just want to thank Coastal Fiber and the rest of my sponsors for sticking behind me.” Justin Bonsignore will return to the track on Saturday, September 18 at Riverhead Raceway, his home track, in New York. For more information on Justin Bonsignore, visit JustinBonsignore.com and follow his athlete page on Facebook for the latest updates.  Photo: NASCAR By Souza Media/Kyle Souza
HOLTSVILLE, N.Y. -- With just three races left in the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour championship battle, points leader Justin Bonsignore heads to Richmond Raceway this Friday, September 10, for race 12 of 14. Bonsignore will drive the No. 51 Kenneth Massa Motorsports entry in the Virginia is for Racing Lovers 150 -- as the Whelen Modified Tour returns to Richmond for the first time since 2002. Bonsignore doesn’t have any competitive laps at the Virginia oval -- but he did complete a Hoosier tire test at the track earlier this season. Although he was the only car on the track that day, Bonsignore may have a slight advantage over some of his competitors entering the race. He leads the Whelen Modified Tour championship standings by 20 points over Patrick Emerling, as the two-time champion looks to seal his third title in the last four years. Bonsignore will carry sponsorship from Coastal Fiber, LLC, for the second time this year. As a local Virginia company that is a full service fiber optic construction and splicing company, Coastal Fiber is happy to be on the car for this event. Already an established part of the team, Coastal Fiber founder Mark Langevin also is the owner of Phoenix Communications, Inc., Bonsignore's primary sponsor on the Tour. “If we do have any advantage it will be minimal, the Whelen Modified Tour has a lot of good teams and drivers that adapt quickly to new tracks,” Bonsignore said. “But it might save us a few minutes of getting up to speed in practice. Any time we can go to a NASCAR Cup Series facility and be able to race with the Modifieds, it’s huge. This race has a lot of hype behind it. If you can win there, it will be a prominent spot in the trophy case.” On the points front, Bonsignore knows the final three races need to play out his way to win another title. “I’ve learned to be more mindful of the bigger picture all year, but we want to go out there and win the race. We can’t lose a large chunk of points,” Bonsignore continued. “We want to win all three races that are left. Mark and the team from Coastal Fiber will have multiple people in the stands and we look forward to having a good showing for them and we thank them for their support.” Following Richmond, Bonsignore and the rest of the tour will roll to Riverhead Raceway on Saturday, September 18, then Stafford Motor Speedway to close the season on Saturday, September 25. Friday’s race day schedule at Richmond will include one, 90-minute practice session from 1:30-3 p.m. Mayhew Tools Dominator Pole Qualifying will take place at 5 p.m. for the Virginia is for Racing Lovers 150, with the green flag set to drop at 7 p.m. The race will air to a live audience on NBC Sports Gold through the TrackPass platform. For more information on Justin Bonsignore, visit JustinBonsignore.com and follow his athlete page on Facebook for the latest updates, including on race day.  By Souza Media/Kyle Souza
OSWEGO, N.Y. -- Justin Bonsignore’s trip to upstate New York ended with a strong third-place finish at Oswego Speedway on Saturday, September 4. Bonsignore started from the third position in the Toyota Mod Classic 150 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour main event and quickly jumped out to the lead on lap three, leading through lap 13. After being passed by eventual race winner Ron Silk, Bonsignore chased the lead back and was at the point for circuits 49-60, and 62-76. However, a total of 38 laps led wasn’t quite enough to score his second win of the season. While Silk won -- and Matt Hirschman finished second -- Bonsignore’s third-place finish allowed him to open his championship lead to 20 points over Patrick Emerling, as Emerling finished 15th. Bonsignore leads the standings with three races, in three consecutive weeks, set to go before the champion of the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour is crowned later this month. “On the points side it was a good night for us,” Bonsignore said. “It’s getting down to crunch time, and this gives us a little bit of breathing room. We will still have to race hard for the next three races. We started just a little bit off, and we were counting on a pit stop, but it never happened. We were just a tick of Silk -- but congrats to those guys -- it was a dominating night for them. It was a really good night for our entire team.” Justin Bonsignore will return to the track on Friday, September 10, at Richmond Raceway in Virginia. Following the historic return to Richmond, the Whelen Modified Tour will visit Riverhead Raceway on September 18, and Stafford Motor Speedway on September 25, to close the season. For more information on Justin Bonsignore, visit JustinBonsignore.com and follow his athlete page on Facebook for the latest updates.  Photo: Rob Branning By Souza Media/Kyle Souza
HOLTSVILLE, N.Y. -- With four races remaining in the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour season, Justin Bonsignore will spend Labor Day weekend in upstate New York. The Toyota Mod Classic 150 will take place at Oswego Speedway on Saturday, September 4, with Bonsignore set to wheel the No. 51 Phoenix Communications Chevrolet for Kenneth Massa Motorsports. In search of his third series title, Bonsignore leads Patrick Emerling by eight points in the standings with four consecutive weekends of racing left to decide the champion. Following Oswego, Bonsignore will head to Richmond Raceway on September 10, Riverhead Raceway on September 18 and Stafford Motor Speedway on September 25 in the chase for the crown. Oswego -- known as the ‘Steel Palace’, is a tricky oval known for the boiler plate that extends the inside wall out, towards the track. Bonsignore is the defending winner of the race, taking the checkered flag in 2019, as the tour didn’t run at Oswego last year due to COVID-19. He’s hoping that his past experience at the track, which includes the win and five starts, with a worst finish of sixth-place, will play to his advantage. “We’re in the stretch run, so we will be conscious of the points, but you can’t take your foot off the throttle, we have to try and maximize points and try not to put ourselves in a risk spot,” Bonsignore said. “It is still going to be trying to go and win the Oswego Classic. There is a lot of history, and it’s an important race. We thought we practiced well and had a good balance there in June, but we just missed it for qualifying and the race. We’ve gained some more speed back in the car with a similar package setup -- so we are going to go back there and try to be better and contend for the win.” Saturday’s race day schedule for the Toyota Mod Classic 150 at Oswego includes one practice session from 1:35-2:35 p.m., with Mayhew Tools qualifying set to begin at 4:15 p.m. The 150-lap race will take the green flag at 7:30 p.m. and will air live on NBC Sports Gold’s TrackPass platform. For those in the upstate New York area, tickets will also be available at the track. For more information on Justin Bonsignore, visit JustinBonsignore.com and follow his athlete page on Facebook for the latest updates. |
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