PIT BOX: Return to Claremont up next for the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour

For the first time since 2022, the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour is returning to New Hampshire’s Claremont Motorsports Park this Friday night for the running of the Clash at Claremont (8:30 p.m. ET on FloRacing).

The Clash at Claremont marks just the fourth time the Modified Tour will race at the track in Claremont, New Hampshire. The 0.333-mile asphalt oval first welcomed the series during the Tour’s inaugural season in 1985, when NASCAR Hall of Famer Richie Evans bested Jimmy Spencer to secure the victory.

Claremont didn’t host the Modified Tour again until 2007, when James Civali outlasted Matt Hirschman to earn one of his four series triumphs. The series returned again in 2022, when Jon McKennedy collected the only victory of his championship campaign. The series was scheduled to race at Claremont in 2023, but bad weather forced track and series officials to cancel the event.

Tickets to the Clash at Claremont at Claremont Motorsports Park are available here. Below is everything you need to know about the eighth race of the 2026 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour season.

Clash at Claremont at Claremont Motorsports Park

There is something to be said for momentum in racing. After a rough start to the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour season, Matt Hirschman finally has some.

The pilot of the No. 60 PeeDee Motorsports Modified collected his first victory of the season last Wednesday in the Firecracker 150 at Seekonk Speedway. In addition to a much-needed positivity boost, the triumph gives Hirschman an early edge in JDV Productions’ Whelen Midsummer Championship miniseries.

The three-race miniseries, which continues at Claremont Motorsports Park this Friday and wraps up at Monadnock Speedway on July 25, will pay $5,000 to the champion. Hirschman has a chance to earn an additional $10,000 bonus if he were to sweep all three races.

Hirschman is no stranger to Claremont Motorsports Park. He’s won races at the track as far back as 2008 and should be a contender to win again Friday. However, he’s not the only expected entry with ample experience at Claremont.

Jon McKennedy, already a two-time winner this season with the Modified Tour, is the most recent series winner at the 0.333-mile asphalt oval. His victory, which came during his 2022 championship campaign, saw him lead 137 of 150 laps on his way to victory. He’ll be a serious contender when the green flag waves Friday night.

Stephen Kopcik continues to lead the Modified Tour standings as the series nears the halfway point of the season. He holds a 10-point advantage on defending series champion Austin Beers entering Friday’s event. Of the two, only Beers has competed in a Modified Tour event at Claremont previously.

Other notable entrants for Friday’s race include Patrick Emerling, Eric Goodale, Tyler Rypkema and Teddy Hodgdon, among others.

The complete entry list for Friday’s Clash at Claremont will be available later this week.

RACING REFERENCE:

• Previous NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour races at Claremont
• NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour drivers at Claremont

SCHEDULE: Friday, July 10: Practice from 3:30 – 4:10 p.m. ET … Final practice from 4:20 to 4:50 p.m. ET … American Racer Pole Award qualifying at 6:05 p.m. ET … Start of the Clash at Claremont at 8:45 p.m. ET (150 Laps / 49.95 Miles)

QUALIFYING: Two consecutive qualifying laps. Faster lap determines qualifying position. Adjustments or repairs may not be made on the vehicle after the vehicle has taken the green flag at the start/finish line. NASCAR reserves the right to have more than one vehicle engage in qualifying runs at the same time. Starting field for the Clash at Claremont 150 is limited to 28 starters including Provisional Positions.

TIRE ALLOTMENT: The maximum tire allotment available for this event is eight (8) tires per team. All tires used for qualifying and the race must be purchased at the track and scanned by NASCAR Officials, unless otherwise approved in advance by the Series Director. Four (4) tires must be used for qualifying and to begin the race. All qualifying tires must remain in impound until released by NASCAR Officials. The remaining tire allotment may be used for practice tires during the event. The tire change rule is zero (0) tires, any position.

RE-DRAW PROCEDURE: The fastest qualifier will spin the wheel to determine the number of drivers that will re-draw for their starting positions: 4, 6, 8 or 10 positions will re-draw. Once the fastest qualifier spins the wheel, NASCAR will have the various buckets ready to immediately start the re-draw procedure. Driver will re-draw in their qualifying order after qualifying has been completed (1 through 10, or however many are applicable). The pole position and/or any bonus point(s), if applicable, will be awarded to the fastest qualifier and will be the pole of record. If, due to adverse conditions, qualifying is canceled, the field will be set in accordance with the 2026 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Rule Book. The re-draw procedure will still take place regardless of how the field is set.