ROOKIE LUKE BALDWIN CAPTURES 2024 SMART MODIFIED TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP
Justin Bonsignore Wins the Season Finale at North Wilkesboro Speedway
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
North Wilkesboro, NC (October 19, 2024) - 18-year-old modified rookie, Luke Baldwin, is the 2024 SMART Modified Tour powered by Pace-O-Matic champion.
The third-generation modified racer secured the title, and the Racing Electronics Rookie of the Year honors, with the SMART Mods by finishing third in the season finale Saturday at North Wilkesboro Speedway in North Carolina.
“I told a couple of people that just four years ago I was sitting in my room playing iRacing, praying for something like this,” said Baldwin after he climbed out of his race car and celebrated with his SS Racing team. “I can't say thanks to everyone enough. Pace-O-Matic, Sadler Stanley Racing, I have said it a couple of times but, I don’t know if I would be racing right now if it wasn’t for Hermie Sadler and Bill Stanley. This is unbelievable.”
While Baldwin cherished his newly crowned championship, series-invader Justin Bonsignore dominated the race to ride the elevator to the famous victory lane at North Wilkesboro Speedway.
Bonsignore, from Holtsville, New York, led all but three laps (96 of 99) enroute to his first series win in his first-career SMART Modified Tour race. Bonsignore held off Matt Hirschman to the checkered flag.
“Matt Hirschman is the ultimate at these tire-saving races and he was charging hard on old tires,” said Bonsignore in the Pace-O-Matic Victory Lane. “We had a really good car in the beginning, but Matt (Hirschman) was able to flip the strategy after getting crashed. You never can count him out, even on older tires. I was able to get the lead, but we’re not used to changing just one tire during a race. We don’t do that with our series, so we’re not accustomed to the adjustments you need to make,” added Bonsignore. “The car was just giving up too much there at the end. I think if it was anybody beside Matt Hirschman on the last lap, we would have ended up in the fence.”
“Congrats to the whole 7-team (on winning the championship). I’m really happy for Luke, they are a great family,” added Bonsignore. “I wanna thank Ryan Stone and this whole crew. We had a good time with the SMART Tour, so who knows, maybe we’ll run some more next year.”
Bonsignore became a 44-time NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour winner by capturing the victory on Sunday at North Wilkesboro as well. He is a three-time champion of that series.
Baldwin, from Mooresville, NC, is the champion with two wins on the season, but he was one of five championship contenders in a winner-take-all scenario amongst those drivers during the 99-lap race at Wilkesboro.
Carson Loftin, from Lexington, NC, is a five-time winner this year in the number-23 car. The 16 year-old will settle for second in points after finishing seventh in the North Wilkesboro race.
Ryan Newman, from South Bend, IN, was a victim of someone else’s mishap early in the race and finished eighth in the event. He ended up third in the championship chase.
Burt Myers, from Walnut Cove, NC, and Danny Bohn, from Freehold, NJ, crashed hard after other drivers in front of them triggered a multi-car accident in the latter stages of the race. Myers and Bohn will finish fourth and fifth in the standings.
The race was streamed live on FloRacing, the official streaming broadcast partner of the SMART Modified Tour powered by Pace-O-Matic.
For updates on the SMART Modified Tour powered by Pace-O-Matic, be sure to follow the series on social media (Facebook: SMART Modified Tour| Twitter: @SMARTMods_ | IG: @smartmods_).
SMART Modified Tour Race #14
Unofficial Race Results for the SMART Tour Finale - 10/19/2024
North Wilkesboro Speedway- North Wilkesboro, NC - 0.625 mile
Race Length: 99L - 61.875 M - 99.578 KM
Fin-Str-Car-Driver-Sponsors-Laps
1-1-51-Justin Bonsignore-Phoenix Communications-99
2-2-60-Matt Hirschman-Boykin Spaniel Rescue-99
3-4-7va-Luke Baldwin-Pace-O-Matic / Mohawk Northeast-99
4-6-12pa-Jake Crum-All-American Roofing & Restoration-99
5-8-179-Austin Beers-Jensen Motorsports-99
6-14-18va-Bobby Labonte-Pace-O-Matic / Cookout-99
7-5-23-Carson Loftin-L&R Transmissions / LeBleu Water-99
8-15-2-Ryan Newman-SHIT Coolers / Montrose Molders-99
9-9-02-Joey Coulter-SRI Performance / TORCH Eyewear-99
10-70-6ma-Samuel Rameau-New England Truck Design-99
11-23-21-Jimmy Wallace-Carolina Drilling-99
12-16-48-Jonny Kay-A-Best Forklift-99
13-10-4-Jason Myers-QRC HVAC & Refrigeration-99
14-26-18-Daniel Yates-Yates Grading & Paving-99
15-21-45-Gary Young Jr.-Ideal Comfort Heating & Air-99
16-17-69-John Holleman IV-Black Sand Company-98
17-19-79-Anthony Bello-SunDrop / Walkertown Mill-98
18-18-43-Matt Kimball-Poodiak Wealth Management-98
19-22-11-Norman Newman-Family Funland-98
20-25-22-Jason Tutterow-Carolina Drilling-97
21-28-09-Christopher Hatton-Generac-97
22-27-64-Ethan Truell-Sponsor Wanted-96
23-20-25-Tom Buzze Jr.-Mark III Financial / UNITS Moving-94
24-3-1-Burt Myers-Citrusafe Grill Cleaner / Peanut Patch-63
25-11-24-Danny Bohn-AmeriFast Supply of NC-63
26-24-v4-Tim Connolly-Mystic Missle Racing-30
27-13-24nj-Andrew Krause-Pete & Elda's Bar & Pizza-26
28-12-16va-Jonathan Cash-Pace-O-Matic-24
29-29-8-John-Michael Shenette-Eighty-Two Services GC-22
The SMART 5 and why each driver can win the Smart Modified Championship.
By Jody Freeman
Carson Loftin
Carson would be unofficially the overall points leader. A position he has held since race number 1 of the season when he picked up his first career win at Florence Motor Speedway. The young Loftin would go onto win a season high 5 races, all coming in the first 7 races of the year. Though, one could argue his momentum has stopped since winning at Franklin County Speedway back on Memorial Day Weekend in May, mustering up only 2 top 5 finishes in the last 6 races, including 3 finishes of 13th or worse. On the other hand, you could make the argument that he pretty much secured his position for what was then the SMART 3 (now the SMART 5) so early, his attention has become focused on this weekend’s championship race at North Wilkesboro. When speaking with Carson, he’s been testing at North Wilkesboro and feels very confident in his team to pull this off.
5 wins
8 top 5s
9 top 10s
Luke Baldwin
You have to like Luke here when you look at the consistency this team has put together. Baldwin has finished inside the top 7 in 12 of the 13 races this season. Baldwin has really shined on the faster, high grip tracks this season as well. Winning the King of the Modifieds event earlier this season at South Boston Speedway and most recently at the high banks of Dominion Raceway back in September. He also come home with a runner up finish at Franklin County earlier this year. Now, we head to a recently paved North Wilkesboro Speedway, which these high-powered horsepower cars will find plenty of speed on the largest track they will visit this year.
2 wins
9 top 5s
12 top 10s
Burt Myers
If you are looking for a previous Smart Modified Champion or a driver that you are most likely to either love or hate, then look no further than Burt Myers. Myers is looking to defend his 2023 Smart Championship in hopes to go back-to-back and wrap up a 4th championship in the series. Burt is also the most recent winner on the tour, winning at South Boston Speedway this past weekend. Though, that didn’t come without a lot of controversy. Myers also already has 1 championship wrapped this year when he captured his 11th track championship at Bowman Gray Stadium back in August.
1 win
7 top 5s
9 top 10s
Ryan Newman
Want a previous winner at North Wilkesboro? Then look to none other than Ryan Newman. Newman was able to capture the checkered flag back in 2022 during the Racetrack Revival in the non-points paying race for the modifieds. Though, this track has changed a lot, we all know Newman is a huge favorite here. He simply can just find ways to win. Whether it has been in the big 3 NASCAR divisions, to the modifieds, or wrapping up a SRX 2023 championship. Newman was hard charging through the field last week to only come up 1 spot shy of finding victory lane. His runner finish was his 6th podium finish on the season to go along with 2 wins.
2 wins
7 top 5s
10 top 10s
Danny Bohn
If you are looking for more recent momentum, then look to Danny Bohn. Bohn has knocked out 7 consecutive top 5 finishes on the tour with a Tour best 3rd place average finish during that span. Bohn not only has a lot of momentum on his side, he also has shown a lot of passion as of late and wants to prove that he belongs. Danny has been a front runner all season but just did not have the finishes to support it at the beginning of the season. That’s now all changed, and he is hungry for more. Especially after getting his first smarty trophy when he won at Carteret County back on Labor Day Weekend.
1 win
8 top 5s
10 top 10s
SMART 3 PLAYOFF FORMAT DETAILED FOR FANS AND COMPETITORS ALIKE
Round Eliminations & Head-To-Head Finale Part of Championship Equation
By Julian Austin
Martinsville, VA (September 9, 2024) - With a stretch-run for the SMART Modified Tour just one race away, series officials have announced the “SMART 3” Playoff format. The playoff will determine the final series standings and 2024 SMART Modified Tour powered by Pace-O-Matic champion.
This Saturday, September 14, the series is scheduled to compete at Dominion Raceway in Spotsylvania, Virginia. Following the completion of “The Flying VA Classic,” the top-5 drivers in points will advance to the first round of the playoff, which is at Lonesome Pine Motorsports Park in Coeburn, VA, on Wednesday, September 18.
If any of the playoff-contending drivers win either of the first two events in the playoffs, at Lonesome Pine, or on October 12 at South Boston Speedway (VA), they will automatically advance to the “SMART 3” championship finale at North Wilkesboro Speedway (NC), on Saturday, October 19.
The playoff driver with the least amount of points exiting each of the next two rounds of the playoffs (LPMP and SOBO) will be eliminated, unless that driver happens to be the winner of either race. If the winner of either event happens to have the lowest point total of the playoff contenders, the next lowest driver in points would be eliminated.
Four drivers will advance to the second round of the playoffs at South Boston and three for the finale at North Wilkesboro.
The “SMART 3” will compete in a head-to-head championship round at the season finale of North Wilkesboro. With this style of competition, the results of that event, not points, will determine the champion, as well as second and third in the Pace-O-Matic standings.
The drivers eliminated in the opening two rounds of the playoffs, as well as those through the rest of the standings that are not considered playoff contenders, will compete for fourth and fifth place in the final standings.
In the event of a cancellation of either of the first two rounds, the “SMART 3” championship contenders for the season finale will be determined by wins of eligible drivers during the playoffs, as well as the point standings.
NOTE: Officials performed a mid-season audit of the points. A discrepancy was found with points issued during the “King of the Modifieds” event at South Boston Speedway (March 24, 2024) as it pertains to the ranking order of drivers / car owners that did not start the race. The point standings have been corrected, and the race report adjusted, to reflect the corrections on both the SMART website and listed within this release.
All SMART races are streamed live on FloRacing, the official streaming broadcast partner of the SMART Modified Tour powered by Pace-O-Matic.
For updates on the SMART Modified Tour powered by Pace-O-Matic, be sure to follow the series on social media (Facebook: SMART Modified Tour| Twitter: @SMARTMods_ | IG: @smartmods_).
***PRESS RELEASE provided by the SMART Modified Tour***
SOUTH BOSTON SPEEDWAY TWICE AS NICE FOR SMART MODS IN 2024
SOBO Replaces Rockingham on Schedule for October 12
By Julian Austin (Original article provided by the SMART Modified Tour and written by Bob Dillner of Short Track Life)
Luke Baldwin (pictured first) leads the field while under a red flag during the King Of The Modifieds Race in March of 2024.
(Photo By Jody Freeman)
Martinsville, VA (September 4, 2024) - A schedule change for the SMART Modified Tour powered by Pace-O-Matic will bring the series back to South Boston Speedway in Virginia for the second time in 2024.
The event, announced today for the legendary South Boston Speedway on Saturday, October 12, will serve as the penultimate race of the 2024 season.
The race at SOBO replaces the event originally scheduled at Rockingham Speedway, as renovations continue at the North Carolina facility.
“We are excited that South Boston Speedway has offered us the opportunity to race in the heart of Modified country once again,” said Chris Williams, Director of the SMART Modified Tour powered by Pace-O-Matc. “If the King of the Modifieds race at South Boston was any indication, our championship fight for this race will be exciting on October 12.”
Fans came out in force in March to witness the inaugural King of the Modifieds event. Teenager Luke Baldwin scored the big win worth $20,000 at South Boston Speedway.
Luke Baldwin hoists up the SMARTY Trophy after claiming his first ever tour win at South Boston in March of 2024
(Photo by Jody Freeman)
“We began the year with the SMART Modified Tour and we’re thrilled to invite them back to end our 2024 racing season on October 12,” said Brandon Brown, General Manager for South Boston Speedway. “The Modifieds always put on an incredible show here at South Boston Speedway, and this gives our fans one more chance to enjoy them in 2024. With a championship berth on the line, we know the drivers will give everyone their money’s worth.”
This marks the second-straight season South Boston Speedway is hosting a late-season race for the SMART Modified Tour powered by Pace-O-Matic. New York’s Andy Jankowiak won the event last October.
Advance tickets for the Saturday, October 12 SMART Modified Tour event are priced at $17 each. Advance tickets may be purchased online on South Boston Speedway’s website, www.southbostonspeedway.com or by calling the speedway office at 434-572-4947 or toll free at 1-877-440-1540 during regular business hours.
Tickets at the gate on race day will be $20 each. Seniors ages 65 and older, military, healthcare workers, and students (with ID) can purchase tickets for $17 each at the gate on race day. The Saturday, October 12 SMART Modified Tour event will be an afternoon event. The full event schedule will be announced at a later date.
This week the SMART Modified Tour powered by Pace-O-Matic will be back in action on Saturday, September 7, at Caraway Speedway in Sophia, NC. The series expects a strong field of cars for the Robert Jeffreys Memorial. Racing is scheduled to begin at 7pm ET.
All SMART races are streamed live on FloRacing, the official streaming broadcast partner of the SMART Modified Tour powered by Pace-O-Matic.
For updates on the SMART Modified Tour powered by Pace-O-Matic, be sure to follow the series on social media (Facebook: SMART Modified Tour| Twitter: @SMARTMods_ | IG: @smartmods_).
By Bob Dillner - X: @shorttracklife_
Honor. Respect. Hard Racing: Our Preview of the 2024 Kenny Minter Classic 110
by Julian Austin
May 24, 2024
(Photo credit goes to the SMART Modified Tour, Carolina Pro Crate Modifieds and Franklin County Speedway)
The SMART Modified Tour powered by Pace-O-Matic returns to action on Friday night at the 3/8ths mile bullring known as Franklin County Speedway in Callaway Virginia. The tour has been on a six week hiatus due to Bowman Gray Stadium starting up their racing season.
Franklin County Speedway is the ultimate throwback. There is a country store right down the road next the town's fire department. The entrance to the speedway will sneak up on you as you cruise the countryside. When you pull into the facility, you are greeted by an old tower in turn four and a painted log cabin tower on the front straightaway that may or may not host a snake. It depends on what story you want to believe there. I have not seen the slithery track official so take it for what it's worth.
Franklin County will not host some of the luxuries we may used to at other tracks. There is no Wi Fi available at the race track. Phone signal can be a little spotty at times but that is what happens in the countryside. The 70's, 80's and early 90's were considered the track's greatest era of racing and the facility has not changed a whole lot since then.
Franklin County Speedway has a long tradition of modified racing. Richie Evans, Jerry Cook, Paul Radford, Billy and Jimmy Hensley, Joe Thurman, Hank Thomas and Satch Worley. A who's who of modified legends have taken laps on this facility nestled in the Franklin County countryside nearly 9 miles from Rocky Mount and 40 miles from Martinsville Speedway.
This Friday will be the ninth race for the SMART Modified Tour at Franklin County Speedway. In eight previous events, the track has produced eight different winners.
Jay Foley won the inaugrual SMART Tour event at Franklin County Speedway in October of 1995. 1996 saw the tour hold three events there. Frank Fleming led wire to wire in the spring. Roger Hill went to victory lane on July 4th and Gary Myers would win in October. After a three year hiatus, Junior Miller won in 1999 in the last event held there until 2021.
John Smith, Jonathan Brown and Burt Myers are the other winners over the last three seasons.
Thus far in 2024, the story has been young phenom Carson Loftin. Loftin has won four of the first six events on the tour. I asked Carson who is also the points leader heading into Friday's race how he felt going into Franklin County Friday night. "Definitely feeling ready to go after a long break. Franklin County is a fast bullring that always puts on a great show. We hope to continue this momentum we have going from Hickory (the previous race on tour) and get us another SMARTY honoring Kenny Minter."
Ryan Newman brings his SHITI Coolers ride to Franklin County Speedway one of three winners on tour this season. In the last two races, he has cooled off a little bit after a strong start to the season with seventh and ninth place finishes the last two events. Those results are fine but the Renfrow Motorsports bunch expects better results as does Newman. Recently, they participated in a practice session Newman spoke to their social media personnel.
"It is such a fun race track to race and drive. Lots of character and love the fact that it's got patches. Little bit of asphalt and concrete. Cool place to drive. Lot of great fans up here. We are here to win and came up here to practice and get some laps underneath our belt. We are going to try and lead the most laps and get a trophy." I'm the only adult to win a SMART race this year. Between Luke Baldwin and Carson Loftin, I know there's some discrepancies on who got disqualified but ultimately, I think he's (Carson) a great kid and does a good job no doubt. You don't win by luck three times in the first six races"
Luke Baldwin spent his time off from the SMART Modified Tour by turning laps in a CARS Tour Late Model. Baldwin nearly won the pole at Ace Speedway before being knocked off by Caden Kvapil at the very end of qualifying. He also was going to attempt the race at North Wilkesboro until the rains came and postponed that race. Baldwin has been a model of consistency this year. He only has the one win this season at South Boston but has three fifth place finishes, a sixth and a seventh so far this season. Baldwin knows he will have a good piece at Franklin County. This team won the 2022 race with Jonathan Brown driving while Bobby Labonte and Newman each nabbed top five finishes.
Anthony Bello had a career best finish at South Boston in March in fifth place. The Connecticut Native is running his first full time season on the SMART Modified Tour but his team is no stranger to Franklin County Speedway. Hillbilly racing finished in the runner up spot with James Civali in 2021 and Jeremy Gerstner in 2022. With a good team behind him who obviously has a great set up, this could be a breakthrough weekend for Bello.
Ryan Preece makes his return to the SMART Modified Tour on Friday night driving for Gary Putnam this week in the number 77. Preece is able to compete in this race due to the Cup Series not having any track activity at Charlotte until Saturday. Preece is a past winner on the SMART Tour as he claimed a victory at South Boston Speedway in 2021 but hasn't competed in an event since 2022. Preece's statistics speak for itself. 26 wins on the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, the 2013 series champion, countless other tour type modified wins including on the old NASCAR Southern tour make Ryan an instant favorite anytime he gets behind the wheel of a modified.
Others to watch:
Joey Coulter and Brandon Ward finished second and third last years. Ward was also in contention to win in 2022 before a late race incident took him out.
Our picks:
Jody: Joey Coulter
Julian: Luke Baldwin
Practice starts at 4 PM
Qualifying starts at 6 PM
Pace-O-Matic Pit Party at 7 PM
Feature Racing starts at 8 PM
Race Order
SMART Modifieds
Legends
Carolina Pro Crate Modifieds
SMART TOUR MANIA! It's our Rumble In Rougemont Preview!
By Julian Austin
April 4th, 2024
(Photos from SMART Modified Tour)
For wrestling fans all over the world, this weekend is our Daytona 500 with WrestleMania taking place. Before we find out if Cody Rhodes can finish his story or if the Bloodline will be acknowledged, the SMART Modified Tour Powered by Pace-O-Matic will rumble in Rougemont North Carolina on Saturday. The Rumble In Rougemont is the fifth stop of the season. Bobby Labonte won the race in 2023 which was the season finale for the tour. His teammate at the time was Ryan Newman and Newman finished in the runner up position giving Sadler-Stanley Racing a one, two finish; however, Labonte will not be defending the race win.
Acknowledge Ryan Newman
Newman returns to Orange County wanting to pick up that one spot compared to 2023. The off season saw change for Newman and opportunity. Newman hooked up with Randy Renfrow Racing with a commitment to run the entire SMART Modified Tour schedule in 2024. The move paid off with two podium finishes to start the season at Florence and Caraway. Contact with Woody Pitkat ended his chances at a third straight podium and his bid to be the King Of The Modifieds.
Newman has done just about all there is to do in racing. A Daytona 500 and Brickyard 400 win. 16 other Cup Series wins. Wins in both the Xfinity and Truck Series. An SRX Championship. Four wins on the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour but a SMARTY had alluded the South Bend Indiana native. Last Saturday at Tri-County Speedway in Granite Falls North Carolina was finally the day he had been waiting for since coming to the tour.
During the middle portion of the race after starting on the front row, Newman maneuvered his way through the top ten. Even with slight contact with Joey Coulter with 48 to go, it didn't slow down the SHITI Coolers machine. While others faded, Newman used the outside to move his way past Carson Loftin for second with 36 to go. He would end up chasing Jimmy Blewett down and passing him with 28 to go and he would hold on to win his first tour win. He may not be the points leader but it's getting harder not to acknowledge how Ryan Newman is running so far this year despite those two kids nipping at his heels.
Who's Next?
In four races, there have been three different winners and all of them were first time tour winners the first time they took home the SMARTY. Carson Loftin won the first two events while Luke Baldwin won at South Boston. That made us look through the field and work to determine just who is next to grab that brass ring and take home a SMARTY for the first time? Let's look at a list of names.
Danny Bohn: Bohn has won over 15 races at Bowman Gray Stadium including its most prestigious event the Hayes Jewelers 200 back in 2022. Bohn also has starts in the NASCAR Xfinity and Craftsman Truck Series also on his resume. Bohn is running the SMART Tour full time in 2024 and has three top tens so far in four events with a best coming at Caraway in the second event.
Showtime Jimmy Blewett: It is hard to believe that Blewett has never won a SMART Tour event. He has seven wins on the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour and has finished in the top 5 in nearly a quarter of his 148 career starts. He is also a six time World Series of Asphalt Champion. A mechanical issue didn't allow him to make a start at South Boston but in the other three events, he has a 6th, 4th and a runner up respectively. Blewett was leading late last Saturday when Newman passed him so do not be surprised if he adds his name to the list very soon.
Will Lambros: Lambros has primarily been a road course racer winning at such famous venues as Circuit of The Americas and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in the TC America Sports Car Series for Skip Barber Racing School. This season, Lambros is making the jump to modifieds and took advantage of the redraw at Tri County by leading laps early before fading towards the end of the race finishing in 8th place tying his career best which came at Florence. Lambros has shown decent speed already so don't be surprised that once he gets more races under his belt, he gets the full feel for these cars in victory lane.
Jonathan Cash: Cash has had a tough start to the season with the only bright spot being at South Boston where he finished fourth. Cash is a teammate to Baldwin and is essentially driving the same car that Newman drove a season ago to the runner up finish for SS Racing. Cash has the equipment and the experience but just needs the luck to go his way.
Contenders for the Belt
Joey Coulter hasn't won on tour since 2022. Last season he finished in fourth at Orange County. Coulter opened up the season this year with a fourth place at Florence and had his best finish since Florence last Saturday with a seventh at Tri-County. Coulter is always someone you can rely on for a consistent top five finish and you can't rule out a win.
Burt Myers is winless so far this season. After finishing second at Florence, he only has a best finish of sixth at South Boston since then. Myers has been around this game too long and anytime you start questioning his team or count him out, that's when he puts up two or three wins in a row.
Luke Baldwin continues to put up consistent numbers this year. There is no reason to believe that will not continue Saturday.
Carson Loftin looks to retain his early point lead this weekend at a place that saw his worst career result of a last place finish in 2023. Loftin has shown great speed everywhere this season and this place is known as a palace for it.
Orange County will have a full day of on track activity Saturday with the spectator gates opening at 4:30 PM. The Rumble In Rougemont can be seen on Flo Racing if you can't make it in person which of course we strongly recommend you see racing in person!
Show Picks
Julian: Ryan Newman
Jody: Joey Coulter
Schedule of Events for Saturday
10:15 am - 12:00 pm OCS Local Division Practice
2:00pm - 3:00pm OCS Local Division Rotating Practice
3:00pm - 3:30pm SMART Modified Tour Practice Session (Final Practice speeds set qualifying order)
4:00pm Orange County Speedway Divisions Qualify (Pure Stock 1L, Late Model 2L)
4:30pm Grandstands / Spectator Gates Open
4:45pm Pace-O-Matic Pole Qualifying (Live to FloRacing) Immediately after Qualifying: ReDraw & Pit selection at SMART Registration table
5:45pm - 6:20pm Pace-O-Matic Pit Party (SMART Drivers & Cars Mandatory on frontstretch) Roll Cars to Positions approx 5:35pm
6:30pm Pre-Race Festivities (Prayer, National Anthem)
6:35pm Racing Action Begins
- Pure Stock (25L)
- Charger (30L)
- SMART Modified Tour - The Rumble in Rougemont (99L) - SMART Releases Emergency Tires during Pace Laps
- SMART Modified Tour Victory Lane / Media Availability
- Carolina Pro 602 Crate Modified (77L)
- Late Model (75L)
The King & The Kid look to remain rock solid in Granite Falls. A preview of the Cardinal 99 from Tri-County Speedway.
By: Julian Austin
March 28th, 2024
The 2024 SMART Modified Tour Powered by Pace-O-Matic campaign rolls on to Tri-County Speedway in Granite Falls North Carolina on Saturday for race number four of the season.
Luke Baldwin staked claim to the throne by winning last Sunday's King of the Modifieds event at South Boston Speedway. The seventeen year old third generation driver and son of 2002 Daytona 500 Winning Crew Chief Tommy Baldwin set tone by posting the fastest time in practice and winning the Pace-O-Matic pole award by being the fastest in qualifying. The redraw sent Baldwin to fourth place and he would rarely leave the comfort of the top four.
After Matt Hirschman set the pace for most of the first 98 laps, Baldwin saw his opportunity and put his 7VA SS Racing machine between Hirschman and a lap car in a daring three wide move that saw the two make contact when he took the lead. Even when there was a couple of late race restarts, Baldwin was still able to hold off Hirschman to take his first career win.
"This thing was so good. The crew did an amazing job and this was a rocket ship" said Baldwin to our own Jody Freeman after the race.
So how will Baldwin do this weekend at Tri-County? Just like at South Boston, Baldwin has never raced at the facility but as we all saw last weekend, that shouldn't affect Baldwin. Baldwin is driving for the same operation that won the previous tour event at Tri-County. Bobby Labonte won last October after waging a battle with Brian Loftin. Labonte waited for Loftin to make a mistake which would be a rare feat in itself. Loftin wiggled out of turn two and Labonte was able to take advantage to win the race. Based on that performance and the momentum from SS Racing this season, Baldwin is sure to be a threat this weekend.
Speaking of the Loftin family, sixteen year old Carson stole the headlines after the first two races of the season by winning both events. Loftin experienced tire issues that caused him to lose laps and key positions on the track. Being in the back of the field last Sunday was a blessing in disguise as he was able to avoid the big pile up on the back stretch and come home with a 13th place finish.
Carson comes into this race looking to shake off last week's tough result where he will attempt to complete a double header. The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour will be running at Richmond on Friday evening. Loftin among others will be attempting the Richmond, Tri-County doubleheader. Carson has two previous starts at Tri-County and has a best finish of sixth place last season. Loftin also turned 16 years old on March 28th, the same day this article was written so nothing would be a better present than taking home another SMARTY.
If there was a track where Brian Loftin could stop the bleeding on a tough start to the 2024 season, it is Tri-County. The father of Carson Loftin was not able to compete at South Boston due to mechanical problems. Brian won the 2022 event and was a strong contender to win last season before ultimately settling for a third place finish after being passed by Bobby Measmer Jr late in the race. There is no reason why Brian will not be a factor again this weekend.
Bobby Measmer Jr is slated to return to SMART Modified Tour competition. Measmer Jr is not running as many events this season due to wanting to spend time with his family. Measmer Jr had a tremendous hot rod underneath him last season and used some pit strategy to vault him to a runner up finish. Measmer hasn't won on the SMART Modified Tour but does have one win on the old NASCAR Southern Tour back in 2016 so he would want nothing more than to grab the SMARTY this weekend.
Defending series champion Burt Myers was the runner up in the opening event at Florence but crashed on the last lap at Caraway. It was a quiet day for the "Ace" at South Boston before settling for a sixth place finish. Myers has not won a tour race at this track but does have a runner up finish all the way back in 1998. Last season he was in fifth place. With all the attention on the kids, Burt in some ways is flying under the radar and that may spell trouble for the rest of the competition.
Ryan Newman is another driver who is attempting the Richmond, Tri-County double. Newman started off the season with podium finishes at Florence and Caraway before getting into the wall at South Boston. Newman has not competed in a SMART Modified Tour event at Tri-County but this track would seem to fit the driving style of the Indiana native. The new coat of pavement proved to be very fast last season when it was debuted. Newman you wouldn't think would have any problems adjusting.
News and Notes
Jason Tutterow scored his career best finish last Sunday when he finished in ninth place. Joey Coulter and John-Michael Shenette are the other two drivers who as of this writing are slated to also attempt the Richmond, Tri-County double. Jonathan Cash tied his career best finish Sunday at South Boston coming home in fourth. He also finished there last spring at the same track. Anthony Bello of Hillbilly Racing started 24th and grabbed his career best finish of fifth on tour. Over the last five races coming into Tri-County, there have been three first time winners including two this year. Andy Jankowiak bagged his first win in the next to last event of the season at South Boston last year. Luke Baldwin became the 41st driver to win on the SMART Modified Tour in its history.
Schedule of Events
SMART Modified Tour Practice will be from 12:15 PM to 1:00 PM.
Local Divisions will practice from 1:00 PM to 1:44 PM.
Local Divisions Qualifying starts at 1:45 PM.
Spectator Gates Open at 2:00 PM.
Pace-O-Matic Pole Qualifying at 2:15 PM.
Local Division Qualifying Resumes at 2:45 PM.
Pace-O-Matic Pit Party at 3:15 PM.
The Cardinal 99 SMART Modified Tour event starts at 4:00 PM.
Following Media Availability for the Modifieds, Local Divisions will run in the following order.
Front Wheel Drive
Vintage
Renegade
Street Stock
If for some reason you can't be at the track, you can catch the SMART Modified Tour on Flo-Racing.
-Photos are from the SMART Modified Tour powered by Pace-O-Matic and Tri-County Speedway.