Kaulig Racing announced Friday that Kyle Busch will drive the No. 10 Chevrolet in five NASCAR Xfinity Series races this season, marking his return to the circuit.
The Matt Kaulig-led organization plans to field the No. 10 Chevy for Busch starting with the series’ March 4 race at his hometown track — Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Kaulig officials indicated that Busch would also drive the No. 10 Camaro at Phoenix Raceway, Charlotte Motor Speedway, Watkins Glen International and Darlington Raceway, with sponsorship to be announced later.
Fellow Cup Series drivers AJ Allmendinger, Austin Dillon and Justin Haley are among the rotating cast tapped to drive the No. 10 as part of Kaulig’s 2023 Xfinity campaign. The organization’s full-time championship hopefuls are newcomer Chandler Smith (No. 16) and the returning Daniel Hemric (No. 11).
Busch is ready to set sail for his first Cup Series season with Richard Childress Racing and Chevrolet after his 15-year tenure with Joe Gibbs Racing and Toyota ended last year. His shift in manufacturer allegiances opened the door for his first events with the Kaulig group, which shares a technical alliance with Childress.
“I’m looking forward to having some fun in the Xfinity Series again,” Busch said in a team release. “What Matt Kaulig and (team president) Chris Rice have built in just a few short years at Kaulig Racing is impressive, and with the team’s alliance with Richard Childress Racing, this made for an easy decision to be back competing in a series that I’ve had success in over the years.”
Busch, 37, is the all-time wins leader in the Xfinity Series with 102 career victories, but he did not compete in the tour last season. His most recent appearance came in 2021 when he won all five of his Xfinity Series starts. Busch signaled his return in a brief video on social media, stating “I’m back,” before Kaulig Racing’s formal announcement.
Fans itching to pick up NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour merchandise will be in for a treat starting with Saturday’s season opener at New Smyrna Speedway.
NASCAR has partnered with E2 Apparel to produce a line of apparel specifically for the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour. The apparel line will feature items for men, women and children.
A merchandise trailer featuring the exclusive merchandise line will be on hand for approximately half of the 19 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour races this season beginning with the New Smyrna Beach Area Visitors Bureau 200 on Saturday night at New Smyrna Speedway.
Tracks will have the option to sell merchandise when the E2 Apparel trailer isn’t on site.
Available merchandise will include, t shirts, hoodies, hats and more. Fans are encouraged to visit the E2 Apparel merchandise trailer this Saturday to check out all available apparel options.
Editor’s Note: Today’s Hendrick Motorsports preview continues NASCAR.com’s countdown of team previews for the 2023 Cup Series season, ranked in reverse order of best finish in last year’s owner standings.
HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS
Manufacturer: Chevrolet Engine: Hendrick Motorsports Driver-crew chief pairings: Kyle Larson-Cliff Daniels (No. 5), Chase Elliott-Alan Gustafson (No. 9), William Byron-Rudy Fugle (No. 24), Alex Bowman-Blake Harris (No. 48).
Team outlook: The winningest team in NASCAR history didn’t miss a beat in the first year of the Next Gen vehicle. Hendrick Motorsports won a series-high 11 races in 2022, seeing all four of its full-time drivers in Victory Lane at least once. Based on its storied success, there appears no reason Hendrick should take a step back in 2023. With champions Chase Elliott and Kyle Larson still in tow along with the ever-improving duo of William Byron and Alex Bowman, the team only looks to be getting stronger.
KYLE LARSON, NO. 5 CHEVROLET
Experience: 10th full-time season in NASCAR Cup Series. 2022 stats: Seventh in final standings; 3 wins, 13 top fives, 19 top 10s 2023 championship odds (BetMGM): 7-1
Outlook: Larson took home three checkered flags in 2022 and entered Phoenix with a chance to bring Hendrick Motorsports an owners’ championship. It was a continuation of the success he found in 2021, earning 10 points-paying wins plus an All-Star Race triumph en route to his first championship – all in his first season with Hendrick Motorsports. His wins a season ago came on three different styles of tracks – the 2-mile oval at Auto Club Speedway; a road course at Watkins Glen International; and a 1.5-mile oval at Homestead-Miami Speedway. But those victories also came months apart from each other. The No. 5 team led by crew chief Cliff Daniels will eye a bit more consistency this season to end closer to its ’21 success.
Experience: Eighth full-time season in NASCAR Cup Series. 2022 stats: Fourth in final standings; 5 wins, 12 top fives, 20 top 10s 2023 championship odds (BetMGM): 7-1
Outlook: Elliott enters the season as the winningest driver of the Next Gen era so far, scoring a series-best five victories in 2022. Like Larson, Elliott seemed to find Victory Lane on a variety of track types with wins at Dover, Nashville, Atlanta, Pocono and Talladega. The five-time Most Popular Driver has made the Championship 4 in each of the last three seasons and has scored at least two victories in each of the last five years. His early accomplishments in a new car only bolster expectations heading into what could be another fruitful year ahead.
Experience: Sixth full-time season in NASCAR Cup Series. 2022 stats: Sixth in final standings; 2 wins, 5 top fives, 11 top 10s 2023 championship odds (BetMGM): 12-1
Outlook: Byron’s 2022 campaign produced a mixed bag of results. In one aspect, it was a career year, leading 746 laps, scoring multiple wins for the first time in his career and earning a personal-best points finish of sixth. But the driver of the No. 24 Chevrolet regressed elsewhere, dropping to five top fives and 11 top 10s after netting 12 and 20, respectively, in 2021. Byron and crew chief Rudy Fugle proved they are capable of grand accomplishments when they put a full race together. The key this year will be doing so on a regular basis.
Experience: Eighth full-time season in NASCAR Cup Series. 2022 stats: 16th in final standings; 1 win, 4 top fives, 12 top 10s 2023 championship odds (BetMGM): 22-1
Outlook: Bowman was the only Hendrick driver not to win multiple races in 2022 and had a dismal summer stretch where he finished 32nd or worse four times in a six-week span, all due to damage. But don’t let those numbers detract from what Bowman is capable of. Greg Ives, the only Cup crew chief Bowman’s worked with, departed for other roles inside Hendrick Motorsports, leading Blake Harris atop the pit box of the No. 48 team. Harris was handpicked for the job and led Michael McDowell to a career year at Front Row Motorsports last season. Bowman netted a career-best four wins, eight top fives and 16 top 10s in 2021; the question is whether he can relocate that success entering a contract year at Hendrick Motorsports.
On Tuesday, Front Row Motorsports announced Zane Smith will drive the unchartered No. 36 Ford in the Daytona 500 before driving the No. 38 Ford in six additional NASCAR Cup Series races this season.
While the news is great for Smith, Todd Gilliland — who drove the No. 38 entry full-time in his 2022 rookie campaign — was left blindsided by the organization’s decision.
The 22-year-old entered the offseason expecting to return with another full schedule ahead in 2023. Instead, Gilliland is set to be sidelined at Phoenix Raceway (March), Talladega Superspeedway (April), Charlotte Motor Speedway (May), Sonoma Raceway (June), Texas Motor Speedway (September) and the Charlotte Roval (October) in favor of Smith.
“They didn’t just tell me. This was a couple months ago,” Gilliland told reporters in a Thursday media conference. “I think the hardest thing was just kind of expecting to be full-time and then just kind of felt like it came out of nowhere.”
The immediate next steps were figuring out what races Gilliland would miss for Smith to pilot the car. Smith enters as the defending NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series champion and impressed in his Cup debut at Worldwide Technology Raceway in the No, 17 RFK Racing Ford with a 17th-place finish.
In his rookie season, Gilliland earned a best finish of fourth at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course in addition to his second career top 10 at Talladega Superspeedway, where he finished seventh in October. The stats don’t lie: The North Carolina native struggled in comparison to veteran teammate Michael McDowell, who netted a career-best 12 top 10s and 16.7 average finish in 2022, bettering Gilliland’s 23.2 average finish by over six positions.
Still, Gilliland, the son of former racer and current TRICON Garage owner David Gilliland, expected to be back behind the wheel of the No. 38 Ford for another opportunity to learn and improve in 2023.
“Really, there wasn’t much talk about it at all, that’s the tough part,” Gilliland said. “It was just, [the] expectation was running full-time, and then it was just, this is kind of what we have and what we’re gonna have to do. So I guess that was a shock.”
Gilliland is free to explore other opportunities to round out the six races he’s slated to miss, but he can only compete in a Ford per his contract, Gilliland said. That also extends to the lower-tiered series, preventing him from competing for TRICON, a Toyota team, in the Truck Series.
Gilliland said Thursday “it seems like we’re getting close on some stuff” to fill his current Cup Series gaps.
The North Carolina native is also still friends with Smith, who despite booting Gilliland from the ride remains a teammate at Front Row. Smith was still part of Gilliland’s wedding in January after the two were made aware of the team’s 2023 plans.
“I haven’t spoke to him since [the news] actually came out,” Gilliland said. “But I’m sure we’re still gonna be friends. It’s a tough business. It’s something that I mean, Marissa, my new wife, talked about. It’s hard to be friends with people that you’re competing against every single week. I’ve even ran into (good friend) Harrison Burton, and you’re bound to have stuff happen, whether it’s on the race track, stuff like this.
“It is tough. But, you know, at times, you just have to separate the life aspect of it and work. But like I said, it is tough.”
There also comes a curious balance in the Bluegreen Vacations Duel qualifying races on Thursday, Feb. 16 (7 p.m. ET, FS1, MRN, SiriusXM). Should both Gilliland and Smith end up in the same duel, how does Gilliland convince himself to help push Smith into the Daytona 500?
For Gilliland, being a good teammate still reigns supreme no matter the circumstances.
“That’s gonna be tough, but I don’t know, I think you have to push him,” Gilliland said. “I have to be a good teammate, right? Like there’s a lot to be said about that in this industry and I’m sure that’ll go a long way. So that’s still my plan, be a good teammate, be as helpful as I can to help the whole organization.
“They’ve still done so much for me, still doing so much for me this year. And, you know, this still isn’t just a breakup for the future, either. You know, there’s still nothing said that we can’t continue this in the future. So I think my best bet is still to be a good teammate, a good part of this organization.”
The NASCAR Cup Series season kicks off with the 65th annual Daytona 500 on Sunday, Feb. 19 (2:30 p.m. ET, FOX, MRN, SiriusXM).
For Late Model Stock Car competitors in the Southeast, the traditional start to the racing season is officially here with the annual running of the IceBreaker at Florence Motor Speedway.
Constructed in 1982 as a dirt track before being paved in 1988, Florence is one of the Southeast’s most historic and beloved short tracks. Following the closure of Myrtle Beach Speedway in 2020, many of Myrtle Beach’s traditional events were transitioned to Florence.
That includes the IceBreaker, which was first held in 2016 and quickly became a popular event for fans and competitors alike.
The IceBreaker presents competitors with an opportunity to hit the track early in the year to test out new cars or new team pairings before the summer stretch of the season. It also gives Late Model Stock Car competitors the chance to race for a $5,000 prize early in the year, something that would serve as a huge momentum boost for any driver this early in the season.
Below is everything you need to know about the 2023 IceBreaker at Florence Motor Speedway.
Practice during the 2022 edition of the IceBreaker at Florence Motor Speedway. (Photo: William Chilton/NASCAR)
What TV Channel is the 2023 IceBreaker on?
All the on-track action for the IceBreaker can be viewed live on FloRacing, the official streaming home for all NASCAR Roots properties.
The event will not be shown on a television network.
Below is the complete schedule for FloRacing’s coverage of the IceBreaker.
The headlining Late Model Stock Car class is one of five divisions that will be on track at Florence this weekend.
The action begins Saturday, Feb. 11 with practice for all divisions, followed closely by qualifying for the Late Models.
Pre-race ceremonies are set to begin at 11:45 a.m. ET, with the first laps of the 2023 season scheduled to take place at noon ET.
Below is the complete schedule for all of the weekend action at Florence Motor Speedway (all times ET).
Friday, Feb. 10
Time
Event
11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Pit Gate Sign In Opens / Park Trailers / Tire Area Open
Saturday, Feb. 11
Time
Event
7:30 a.m.
Pit Gate Sign-In Opens / Park Trailers
8 a.m.
Tire Area Open
8:30 a.m.
Driver’s Meeting
9 – 10:40 a.m.
Practice
11 a.m.
Grandstands Open
11 a.m.
Qualifying (Late Models; Euro Style, Groups of 4/Dead Lap, G, W, C)
11:45 a.m.
Pre-Race
Noon
Features
Entry list
A whopping 40 drivers are entered to compete in Saturday’s IceBreaker, headlined by the return of NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Earnhardt, who will drive a car that will look similar to cars he drove in his youth that sported the Mom ‘N’ Pops colors, is making his second start at Florence in the last few months. He most recently competed at Florence during the South Carolina 400 in November, finishing ninth.
Also entered is NASCAR Xfinity Series driver Jeb Burton, who will pilot a Late Model Stock Car out of the Sellers Racing stable. Carson Kvapil, who captured the 2022 CARS Late Model Stock Tour championship driving for JR Motorsports, will also be in the field.
Brenden Queen, who triumphed in the South Carolina 400 in November in his first start for Lee Pulliam Performance, returns to Florence in search of another marquee win. Defending Florence Motor Speedway track champion Kade Brown is also entered, but he’ll be driving for Matt Piercy Racing instead of the AK Performance team he won the track championship with last year.
Other notable entrants include Kaden Honeycutt, Ryan Millington, Mason Diaz, Mark Wertz, Jaiden Reyna, Doug Barnes Jr., Connor Hall and Sam Yarbrough.
Below is the current entry list for the IceBreaker.
Car No.
Driver
Hometown
Owner
1
Andrew Grady
Youngsville, NC
Mike Darne Racing
2
Brandon Pierce
Kernersville, NC
Lee Pulliam Performance
02
Justin Milliken
Shallotte, NC
JM Racing
03
Brenden “Butterbean” Queen
Chesapeake, VA
Lee Pulliam Performance
3
Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Mooresville, NC
JR Motorsports
4
Kyle Plott
Simpsonville, SC
Meridith Motorsports
4
Jaiden Reyna
Concord, NC
Rev Racing
5
Casey Kelley
Hartsville, SC
Kelley Racing
5
Dexter Canipe Jr.
Claremont, NC
3D Motorsports
5
Bryant Barnhill
Conway, SC
Bryant Barnhill Racing
7
Tristan McKee
Williamsburg, VA
International Trading
8
Carson Kvapil
Mooresville, NC
JR Motorsprts
09
Riley Gentry
Easley, SC
Riley Gentry Racing
10
Kaden Honeycutt
Aledo, TX
Mike Darne Racing
15
Ryan Millington
Statesville, NC
Leisure Tyme Racing
16
Adam McCumbee
Orrum, NC
Adam McCumbee Racing
18
David Roberts
Gray Court, SC
Roberts Racing
18
Anthony Adams
Simpsonville, SC
Adams Racing
20
Josh Dickens
Miami, FL
Mitchell Mote Performance
21
Lanie Buice
Jackson, GA
AK Performance
22
Whitney Meggs
Riegelwood, NC
Hawk McCall Motorsports
23
Drake Williamson
Kingstree, SC
Williamson Racing
23
Kade Brown
Denver, NC
Matt Piercy Racing
24
Mason Diaz
Manassas, VA
Chad Bryant Racing
27
Jeb Burton
Mooresville, NC
Sellers Racing
28
Ryan Glenski
Mooresville, NC
RG Racing
32
Zack Miracle
Indian Trail, NC
Miracle Motorsports
51
Matt Cox
Longs, SC
TBA
55
Mark Wertz
Chesapeake, VA
Mark Wertz Racing
57
Connor Zilisch
Concord, NC
Carroll Speedshop
60
RA Brown
Columbia, SC
RBR
61
Justin Hicks
Thomasville, NC
Hicks Motorsports
70
Jeremy McDowell
Conway, SC
TBA
77H
Connor Hall
Hampton, VA
Bluewater Motorsports
88
Doug Barnes Jr.
Forest Hill, MD
Barnes Racing
94
Jamie Weatherford
Darlington, SC
JWR
95
Jacob Heafner
Dallas, NC
Carroll Speedshop
95
Sam Yarbrough
Myrtle Beach, SC
TBA
98
Cody Kelley
Hartsville, SC
AK Performance
99
Austin Somero
Landrum, SC
SPR
Drivers and teams getting ready before the Ice Breaker Event (William Chilton/NASCAR)
IceBreaker list of winners
The IceBreaker is a relatively new tradition that began at Myrtle Beach Speedway in 2016 as a way for drivers to get an early start to the racing season in the Carolinas.
Held five times at Myrtle Beach Speedway before the track’s demise, Tommy Lemons Jr. emerged as the winner of the inaugural event in 2016. Four-time NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series National champion Lee Pulliam claimed the IceBreaker victory in 2017, with NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series veteran Timothy Peters scoring the win in 2018.
Ty Gibbs, who is set to begin his maiden NASCAR Cup Series campaign later this month, took home the IceBreaker trophy in 2019. Regional star Sam Yarbrough was the winner of the final IceBreaker held at Myrtle Beach in 2020.
With Myrtle Beach’s closure, the IceBreaker was moved to Florence Motor Speedway beginning in 2021. Chad McCumbee took home the checkered flag that season, with NASCAR Xfinity Series star and 2020 NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series National champion Josh Berry winning the race in 2022.
Below is the complete list of winners of the IceBreaker.
One of the busiest and most storied weeks in short-track competition is here with the World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing at Florida’s New Smyrna Speedway.
Taking place over nine consecutive nights, many of the best drivers across the United States are set to descend upon New Smyrna with the goal of joining names like Richie Evans, Dick Trickle, Ted Christopher, Ryan Preece, Sammy Smith and others as a World Series of Asphalt champion.
Headlining the grueling schedule is the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour season-opener on Feb. 11, the second night of World Series action. The series was formally added to the festivities last year, which saw three-time World Series Modified champion Matt Hirschman take home the checkered flag.
Other notable events set to take place during the week include the Clyde Hart Memorial (Feb. 14), the John Blewett III Memorial (Feb. 15), the Richie Evans Memorial (Feb. 17) and the Orange Blossom 100 (Feb. 18) that will bring the World Series to a close.
Every event in the World Series can be streamed live on FloRacing. Tickets are available here.
Below is everything to know about the 2023 World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing, including the schedule and entry lists.
What TV channel is the World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing on in 2022?
Live coverage of each night of the World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing is set to being at 7:30 p.m. ET on FloRacing.
The World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing will not broadcast on a television network.
Below is the complete schedule for the World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing coverage on FloRacing.
2023 World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing schedule
There is no shortage of on-track action across the entire duration of the World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing. Along with the feature events, each division has both practice and qualifying sessions on the docket prior to their respective green flags.
Below is the complete on-track schedule for the 2023 World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing at New Smyrna Speedway.
Feb. 10
Time
Event
9 a.m. ET
Pit gates open
10 a.m. ET
Tech/fuel/reg/tires open
11:45 a.m. ET
Driver’s meeting
12:30 p.m. ET
Practice begins
3:15 p.m. ET
Super Late Model tire released & pre-qualifying tech
4:15 p.m. ET
Pro Late Model tire released & pre-qualifying tech
6 p.m. ET
Qualifying
7:30 p.m. ET
Racing starts: Sportsman (35 Laps), Super Late Model (35 Laps), Intermission, Pro Late Model (35 Laps), Modified (35 Laps), Bomber A (20 Laps)
Feb. 11
Time
Event
7 a.m. ET
NWMT credentials open
8:30 a.m. ET
NWMT garage opens
10 a.m. ET
New Smyrna pit gates open
11:30 a.m. ET
Tech/fuel/reg/tires open
12:30 p.m. ET
New Smyrna driver’s meeting
1 p.m. ET
Practice begins
5 p.m. ET
Qualifying
6:30 p.m. ET
NWMT driver autograph session
7:30 p.m. ET
Racing starts: NWMT (200 Laps), Pro Late Model (35 Laps), Sportsman (50 Laps), Bomber A (20 Laps), Modifieds (25 Laps)
Feb. 12
Time
Event
10 a.m. ET
Pit gates open
11 a.m. ET
Tech/fuel/reg/tires open
12:15 p.m. ET
Driver’s meeting
1 p.m. ET
Practice begins
6 p.m. ET
Qualifying
7:30 p.m. ET
Racing starts: Super Late Model (35 Laps), Modifieds (35 Laps), Intermission, Pro Late model (35 Laps), 602 Modifieds (25 Laps), E-Mods (30 Laps)
Feb. 13
Time
Event
10 a.m. ET
Pit gates open
12 p.m. ET
Tech/fuel/reg/tires open
12:45 p.m. ET
Driver’s meeting
1:30 p.m. ET
Practice begins
4:30 p.m. ET
Super Late Model tire released & pre-qualifying tech
5 p.m. ET
Modified tire released & pre-qualifying tech
6 p.m. ET
Qualifying
7:30 p.m. ET
Racing starts: Super Late Model (35 Laps), 602 Modified (25 Laps), Intermission, Tour Modified (50 Laps), Pro Late Model (35 Laps), Modifieds (25 Laps)
Feb. 14
Time
Event
9:30 a.m. ET
Park rigs
10 a.m. ET
Pit gates open
10:30 a.m. ET
Tech/fuel/reg/tires open
12:15 p.m. ET
Driver’s meeting
1 p.m. ET
Practice begins
4:15 p.m. ET
Modified pre-qualifying tech begins
4:30 p.m. ET
Super Late Model tire released
5 p.m. ET
Super Late Model pre-qualifying tech begins
6 p.m. ET
Qualifying
7:30 p.m. ET
Racing starts: 602 Modified (25 Laps), Modified (50 Laps), Intermission, Clyde Hart Memorial Super Late Model 100
Feb. 15
Time
Event
10 a.m. ET
Pit gates open
12 p.m. ET
Tech/fuel/reg/tires open
12:45 p.m. ET
Driver’s meeting
1:30 p.m. ET
Practice begins
5 p.m. ET
Super Late Model & Modified pre-qualifying tech begins
6 p.m. ET
Qualifying
7:30 p.m. ET
Racing starts: Pro Late Model (35 Laps), Modified (35 Laps), Intermission, Super Late Model (35 Laps), Modified John Blewett III Memorial (76 Laps)
Feb. 16
Time
Event
10 a.m. ET
Pit gates open
12 p.m. ET
Tech/fuel/reg/tires open
12:45 p.m. ET
Driver’s meeting
1:30 p.m. ET
Practice begins
5 p.m. ET
Super Late Model & Modified pre-qualifying tech begins
6 p.m. ET
Qualifying
7:30 p.m. ET
Racing starts: Modified (75 Laps), Pro Late Model (35 Laps), 602 Modified (66 Laps), Modified (50 Laps), Super Late Model (35 Laps)
Feb. 17
Time
Event
10 a.m. ET
Pit gates open
12 p.m. ET
Tech/fuel/reg/tires open
12:45 p.m. ET
Driver’s meeting
1:30 p.m. ET
Practice begins
3:45 p.m. ET
Pro Late Model tires released
4 p.m. ET
Pro Late Model pre-qualifying tech
4:30 p.m. ET
Modified pre-qualifying tech
5:45 p.m. ET
Qualifying
7 p.m. ET
Vintage Cars hot laps
7:15 p.m. ET
Parade laps with Modified Reunion
7:30 p.m. ET
Racing starts: Pro Late Model Hart to Heart 100, Modified Reunion, Intermission, Modified Richie Evans Memorial 100, Truck (25 Laps), Super Stocks (20 Laps), Bomber B (20 Laps), Vintage Cars (20 Laps)
Feb. 18
Time
Event
10 a.m. ET
Pit gates open
12 p.m. ET
Tech/fuel/reg/tires open
12:45 p.m. ET
Driver’s meeting
1:30 p.m. ET
Practice begins
4:15 p.m. ET
Super Late Model tires released
4:30 p.m. ET
Super Late Model pre-qualifying tech
5:30 p.m. ET
Qualifying
7:30 p.m. ET
Racing starts: Modified (35 Laps), Trucks (50 Laps), Mod Minis (50 Laps), Intermission, Super Late Model Orange Blossom 100, Super Stock (50 Laps), Bomber B (20 Laps)
(Photo: Adam Glanzman/NASCAR)
Entry lists for 2023 World Series of Asphalt
Plenty of notable names make up the entry lists in each World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing division.
Nearly 50 teams will pursue a title in the Modified division, all of whom will be looking to dethrone defending champion Jimmy Blewett, who will drive one of two cars fielded by Tommy Baldwin Jr.
Matt Hirschman will be one of Blewett’s biggest challengers as he looks to claim a fourth Modified championship. Two of the four championship contenders from the Whelen Modified Tour last year in Ron Silk and Eric Goodale are also entered alongside Patrick Emerling, Burt Myers, Joey Coulter and many others.
The Super Late Model division also has a strong field of cars, with NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series veteran Stewart Friesen set to compete with G. Stone Motorsports on Feb. 13-14. William Sawalich is looking to keep the World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing championship with Donnie Wilson Motorsports following Sammy Smith’s run last year, but he faces stiff competition from drivers like Conner Jones, Connor Mosack, Casey Roderick and Matt Craig.
Katie Hettinger, Toni Breidinger, NASCAR Drive for Diversity member Paige Rogers and Ross Chastain’s brother Chad are among those entered across the other World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing divisions.
Below is the full list of drivers entered for this year’s World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing. The Whelen Modified Tour entry list can be found here.
Modifieds
1 Stephen Kopcik. Newton CT
2 JR Bertuccio. Centerreach NY
2X Gershow TBA
7nc Caleb Heady. Louisville KY
7ny Jimmy Blewett. Howell NJ
7 Rich Parker. Forked River NJ
8 Cam McDermott. Canterbury CT
9 Tom Martino Jr. Red Bank NJ
11X Dillon Steuer. Bohemia NY
11 Norman Newman. Kincardine ON
14 Patrick Emerling. Orchard Park NY
16 Ron Silk. Norwalk CT
17 Burt Myers. Kernersville NC
19 Anthony Sesely. Port Monmouth NJ
20 Eddie McCarthy. Brick NJ
20nj Dylan Serratelli. Brick NJ
21 Joe Bertuccio III. Statesville NC
24 Andrew Krause. Holmdel NJ
25 Brian Robie. Sunapee NH
27 Adam LaCicero. Lavallette NJ
29 Spencer Davis. Dawsonville GA
32 Tyler Rypkema. Owego NY
36 David Sapienza. Riverhead NY
36s TBA Sapienza Racing
38 Ricky Moxley. Palm City FL
41 Carsten DiGiantomasso. Jackson NJ
41 Kevin Shea. Mystic CT
45 Brett Meservey. Brewster MA
46 Justin Brown. Manorville NY
50 Ronnie Williams. Vernon CT
54 Tommy Catalano. Ontario NY
54 Tyler Catalano. Ontario NY
55 Jeremy Gerstner. Wesley Chapel FL
55 Teddy Hodgdon. Danbury CT
56 Amy Catalano. Ontario NY
58 Eric Goodale. Riverhead NY
60 Matt Hirschman. Northampton PA
70 TBA Gerstner Motorsports
71 Kyle Ellwood. Riverhead NY
71 Michael Rutkoski. Riverhead NY
72 Bud McIntyre. New Smyrna Beach FL
73 Paul Hartwig Jr. Galloway NJ
73H Paul Hartwig SR. Galloway NJ
74 Jonathan Laureigh. Ship Bottom NJ
82 Craig Lutz. Miller Place NY
92 Anthony Nocella. Berlin MA
02 Joey Coulter. Miami Springs FL
08 Nicholas Halkowicz. Shelton CT
09 Christopher Hatton. Ormond Beach, FL
179 Anthony Bello. Newton CT
Super Late Model
1 Stewart Friesen. Niagra on the Lake ON
1 Todd Stone. Middlebury VT
2 William Sawalich. Eden Prairie MN
7 Justin Crider. Statesville NC
9 Brad May. Oviedo FL
12 Derek Griffith. Hudson NH
15 Gabe Sommers. Plover WI
17 Chris Durbin. Cameron WV
18 Brandon Short. Brook Park OH
18 Casey Roderick. Lawrenceville GA
22 Giovanni Ruggiero. Seekonk MA
23 Billy Van Meter. Indianapolis IN
27 Bobby Good. Lake Mary FL
28 Connor Mosack. Mooresville, NC
29 Austin Teras. Gray ME
33 Daniel Webster. Brooksville FL
36 Dan Fredrickson. Northfield MN
44 Conner Jones. Fredricksburg VA
54 Matt Craig. Concord NC
54 Tommy Catalano. Ontario NY
58 John Coffman. Live Oak FL
69 Michael Hinde. Hernando FL
76 James Lynch. Palos Park IL
08 Nicholas Naugle. Dartmouth NS
112 Steve Weaver Jr. Plantation FL
Pro Late Models
0 Glenn Styres. Ohsweken ON
1 Toni Breidinger. Mooresville NC
5 Gavan Boschele. Mooresville NC
7 Mitch Haver. West Bend WI
9 John Weitz. Caldwell ID
11 David Weaver. Plantation FL
16 TJ Monroe. Star ID
17x Brandon Turbush. Manorville NY
17 Kevin Folan. North Attleboro MA
20 Chase Johnson. Mt Juliet TN
24 Brent Crews. Cornelius NC
25 Carson Brown. Moseley VA
26 Dawson Sutton. Lebanon TN
29 Hunter Wright. Lebanon TN
42 Ryan Kamish. Farmington MN
44 Conner Jones. Fredricksburg VA
45 Mike Mayberry. Naples ME
47 Dakota Stoup. Owensboro KY
47 Dustin Bryson. Covington GA
55 Charlie Keeven. Hazelwood MO
56 Gus Dean. Bluffton SC
57 Jeff Johnston. Ft Pierce FL
57m Michael Leone. Toms River NJ
57 Wally LaCicero. Lavallette NJ
58 John Aramendia. New Braunfels TX
61 Kent Baledge. Alexandria IN
69 Michael Hinde. Hernando FL
77 Ruben Caceres. Daytona Beach FL
81 Katie Hettinger. Dryden MI
88 TJ DeCaire. Land O Lakes FL
94 Cory Luciano. Beaverton ON
00 Jeremy Whorff. Bath ME
00 Jimmy Renffrew Jr. Candia NH
08 Nicholas Naugle. Dartmouth NS
602 Mod
1 Bobby Jones. Palmerton PA
2 Jerry Gradl Jr. Buffalo NY
5 Pat Wall. Cream Ridge NJ
7NC Luke Baldwin. Mooresville NC
7NY Jack Baldwin. Mooresville NC
7 Tony Pereira. Miami FL
12 Cody Norman. Lewisville NC
12 Nick Baer. New Tripoli PA
16 Ethan Durocher. Canterbury CT
17 Lee Sharpsteen. Waverly NY
19 Curt Hatton. Enterprise FL
24 Chris Hatton Sr. Deland FL
24 Eric Lane. Howell NJ
27a Adam Lacicero. Lavallette NJ
27c Christian Lacicero. Seaside Park NJ
27 Evan Rygielski. Wilkes-Barre PA
29 Matt Caprara. Clayton NY
33 Carsten DiGiantomasso. Jackson NJ
33 Gary Fountian. Clairmont FL
38 Jarret DiGiantomasso. Jackson NJ
41 Michael Brennan. Old Bridge NJ
51 Ricky Collins. Willow Grove PA
54 Trevor Catalano. Ontario NY
55 Jeremy Gerstner. Wesley Chapel FL
65 Andrew Lewis. Ontario NY
72 Brian Rygielski. Wilkes-Barre PA
73 Matt Ricco. Galloway NJ
73 Paul Hartwig Jr. Galloway NJ
74 Jonathan Laureigh. Ship Bottom NJ
76 James Blewett. Howell NJ
00 Jake Nelke. Manahawkin NJ
02 Ryan Fisher. Leonardo FL
09 Christopher Hatton. Ormond Beach, FL
124 Ron D’Alessandro. Palm Bay FL
Florida Modifieds
1W Wayne Parker. Mt Dora FL
2H Matthew Jarrett. Taft FL
4B Alan Bruns. Windermere FL
4 Michael Mark Deland FL
12 Travis Roland. Winter Haven FL
14 Willy Dehart. Alexandria IN
15 Tank Tucker. New Smyrna Beach FL
15 Tim Moore. St. Petersburg FL
16 Brian Gayton. Orlando FL
26 Bill Burba. Germantown OH
33 Shain Held. Taft FL
46 Cody Stickler. Pinellas Park FL
51 Tim Laurent. Scottsboro AL
66 Jerry Symons. New Smyrna Beach FL
75 George Helliwell. Pelham NH
77 Hunter Slayton. Richmond VA
Sportsman
1 Paige Rogers. Concordia IN
7 Kody Brusso. Pensacola FL
7 Travis Devendorf. Pompano Beach FL
10 Joe Hamilton. St. Cloud FL
12 Danny Frye. Eustis FL
14 Michael Cormier. Grand-Barachois NB
15 Brooke Storer. Pensacola FL
16 Rich Clouser. Lake Helen FL
16 Tim Sozio. Davie FL
21 Daniel Reeves. West Palm Beach FL
25 Taylor Watson. Deland FL
30 Chris Huntoon. Pt. Charlotte FL
39 Russ Moore. New Smyrna Beach FL
40 Brandon Strevels. Auburndale FL
44 Matthew Green. Orlando FL
75 Jason Vail. Groveland FL
77 Phil Jacques. Ocala FL
112 Dave Werning. Palm Coast FL
Pro Trucks
5 Richard Griffis. Leesburg FL
12 Noah Blake. Ponce Inlet FL
14 Richard Martin. Westport MA
22 Cody Coffman. Live Oak FL
22 Martin Boatright. Fruitland Park FL
24 Dalton Smith. Palm Coast FL
24 Donnie Burkhalter. Windermere FL
25 Taylor Watson. Deland FL
31 Max Martin. Longwood FL
36 Chad Chastain. North Ft. Myers FL
44 Shane Sutorus. Orlando FL
45 Brian Millar. Longwood FL
52 Chris Peludat. New Smyrna Beach FL
53 Brandon Martin. Lakeland FL
56 Darryl Rudd. Chipley FL
59x Becca Monopoli. Lakeland FL
77 Daniel Bromley. Jacksonville FL
00 Jack Hall. Davenport FL
99 Richard Lavance. North Port FL
E-Mod
8 Jay Wooldridge. Palm Bay FL
17 Curtis Robinson. St. Augustine FL
19 David White. Spring Hill NY
41 Jeffrey White. Eustis FL
52 Hank Baker Sr. Oak Hill FL
67 Greg Dame. Deltona FL
112 Jarrett Korpi. Osteen FL
T3 Walt Obrinskie Jr. Albion MI
Super Stock
5 Blake Clouser. Lake Helen FL
7x Scott Riggleman. Manchester NJ
15 Tyler Prenesti. Key Largo FL
16 David Gould. melbourne FL
26 Brandon Johnson. Orange Park FL
32 Timothy Welshans. South Wales NY
38 Gage Spears. New Smyrna FL
40 Jay Wooldridge. Palm Bay FL
56 Bobby Holley. Osteen FL
80 Ronny Roop. Bartow FL
99 Paul Koci. Astor FL
04 Doug Samion. Christsmas FL
Mod Mini
21 Todd Latour. Orlando FL
22 John DeGeorge. Titusville FL
78 David Russell. Melbourne FL
95 Ernie Winton. Eustis FL
112 Sean Bass. Port Orange FL
Bomber A
7 Aaron Foye. Cocoa FL
8 Jason Deal. Akron OH
12F Caleb Jones. Deltona FL
13 Chris Sevigny. Daytona Beach FL
14 Brandon Monroe. Orlando FL
15 Dustin Higdon. New Smyrna Beach FL
16 Jimmy McKinley. Parma OH
20 Tony Collinsworth. Calverton NY
27 CJ Creech. Orange City FL
41 Mike Grissom. Orlando FL
70 Charles Friddle. Cocoa FL
80 James Partlow. Debary FL
111 Yuniel Diaz. Deltona FL
Bomber B
23 Frank Button. New Smyrna FL
33 Noah Partlow. Sanford FL
44 Shane Sutorus. Orlando FL
58 Ben Seay. Deland FL
66 Rick Gaither. Edgewater FL
72 Bob Seay. Port Orange FL
74 Leroy Racer. Palm Bay FL
93 John Gross. Melbourne FL
01 Tim Nicholas. W. Melbourne FL
K9 Chuck Rush. Sanford FL
Florida Southern Ground Pounders
0 Scott Cutter. Titusville FL
19 Kurt Hatton. Deltona FL
61 Chris Hatton. Deltona FL
Editor’s Note: Today’s Joe Gibbs Racing preview continues NASCAR.com’s countdown of team previews for the 2023 Cup Series season, ranked in reverse order of best finish in last year’s owner standings.
JOE GIBBS RACING
Manufacturer: Toyota Engine: Toyota Racing Development Driver-crew chief pairings: Denny Hamlin-Chris Gabehart (No. 11); Martin Truex Jr.-James Small (No. 19); Christopher Bell-Adam Stevens (No. 20); Ty Gibbs-Chris Gayle (No. 54)
Team Outlook: JGR had a season of mixed results in 2022, with Christopher Bell reaching the Championship 4 round (finished third), while Denny Hamlin finished fifth. But two of its other veterans had very rough seasons: Kyle Busch finished 13th, while Martin Truex Jr. failed to make the playoffs and finished a disappointing 17th. But 2023 could be the start of a major rebuilding program within the veteran organization over the next year-plus. Busch has moved on to Richard Childress Racing, and Ty Gibbs, grandson of team owner Joe Gibbs, replaces the two-time Cup champion. And the facelift could continue even more so in 2024 as 2023 may be the final season with JGR for both Hamlin (42 years old) and Truex (turns 43 in June), either through retirement or moving to another team. Look for Bell – perhaps one of the most underrated young drivers in Cup – to potentially have a breakout season in 2023, with a legitimate chance at winning the championship.
DENNY HAMLIN, NO. 11 TOYOTA
Experience: 18th full-time season in the NASCAR Cup Series
2022 stats: Fifth in final standings; 2 wins, 10 top 5s, 16 top 10s
2023 championship odds (BetMGM): 10-1 (tied for third-highest favorite with Ryan Blaney, Joey Logano and Christopher Bell)
Outlook: 2023 could be a very pivotal season for Hamlin. He’s in the final year of his current contract with JGR (and FedEx is also in its final season as primary sponsor, barring any extension). Hamlin has said before he retires, he’d like to race at least one season for the Cup team he co-owns with NBA legend Michael Jordan, namely, 23XI Racing (could that mean 2024?). Hamlin has been one of NASCAR’s most hard-luck drivers; he has all the talent (48 career Cup wins) and skill to have won multiple Cup championships, but alas, he still has yet to win his first. It seems he’s always in the conversation for being a champion but has yet to get it done. If this indeed is his final season with JGR, will he finally break through or suffer through yet another close-but-no-cigar finish?
Experience: 17 full-time seasons in the NASCAR Cup Series.
2022 stats: 17th in final standings; 0 wins, 4 top 5s, 15 top 10s
2023 championship odds (BetMGM): 12-1 (tied for seventh-highest favorite with Ross Chastain, William Byron and Tyler Reddick)
Outlook: After a championship-winning season in 2017 and runner-up showings in 2018, 2019 and 2021, the Mayetta, New Jersey native is coming off his worst season since 2014 (finished 24th). Not only did he miss the playoffs, but his best individual race finish was only fourth (Richmond Raceway in April and New Hampshire Motor Speedway in July). It seemed like the further he fell behind, the harder he pushed, with even more unsuccessful results. Truex reportedly considered retirement last season but decided to give it one more go with JGR in 2023. If he does retire at the end of this season, look for it to be a very quiet departure from the sport, with no fanfare or going-away tour, befitting of his low-key personality. Still, his competitive nature won’t let him go out as an also-ran: If this truly will be his final year, he’ll be going all-out for that second Cup championship.
CHRISTOPHER BELL, NO. 20 TOYOTA
Experience: Three full-time seasons in the NASCAR Cup Series.
2022 stats: 3rd in final standings; 3 wins, 12 top 5s, 20 top 10s
2023 championship odds (BetMGM): 10-1 (tied for third-favorite with Ryan Blaney, Joey Logano and Denny Hamlin)
Outlook: Bell was one of the most pleasant surprises of the 2022 season, being the only JGR driver to reach the Championship 4 and finishing a solid third in the final standings. He’s shown great upward progress in each of his first three Cup seasons and appears on target for a major breakthrough campaign in 2023. He’s definitely among the top contenders for the championship, with a strong-winning, competitive nature and few weaknesses behind the wheel. If this is the final season with JGR for both Hamlin and Truex, the 28-year-old Bell would be in the position to become the team’s No. 1 driver in 2024 (barring the team signing a big-name, veteran free agent). He’d help himself immensely with a great 2023 and show he belongs among the series’ top drivers.
TY GIBBS, NO. 54 Toyota
Experience: 15 starts in the NASCAR Cup Series.
2022 stats: 1st in final Xfinity Series standings; 7 wins, 16 top 5s, 23 top 10s (Xfinity); 1 top 10 (Cup)
2023 championship odds (BetMGM): 40-1 (tied for 17th-highest favorite with Daniel Suárez)
Outlook: Gibbs won the Xfinity championship last season in his first full season in one of the top three national series, but at 20 years old, the third-generation racer may have a difficult time against seasoned Cup drivers in his rookie season in NASCAR’s premier series. It may take him 2-3 years to become a bonafide contender. Gibbs is somewhat of an anomaly in that he went directly from ARCA (where he won 18 races in 47 starts in 2 ½ years) to Xfinity, completely bypassing the Truck Series. But the results last year proved he didn’t miss much. Even though he won seven races last season en route to the Xfinity championship, the prospect of wins in his first year in Cup appears unlikely. A more realistic rookie season would likely see Gibbs compile a handful of top-five finishes, with his best chances for success at short tracks like Richmond, Bristol Motor Speedway, Martinsville Speedway and Phoenix Raceway.
HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. (Feb. 8, 2023) – Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) announced Wednesday that Myatt Snider will pilot the NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) No. 19 Toyota GR Supra for six races in 2023.
Snider will kick off the season for JGR in the season opener at Daytona International Speedway on Feb. 18 (5 p.m. ET, FS1, MRN, SiriusXM). The 28-year-old will be back in the car on the other side of the country as the NXS travels to Portland Raceway in June. Snider will round out his schedule with four races in the NXS Playoffs – the ROVAL at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Martinsville Speedway and the season finale at Phoenix Raceway.
“We’re looking forward to having Myatt on our No. 19 team for six races,” said Steve DeSouza, JGR’s Executive Vice President of NXS and Development. “Building out the driver lineup for this car is an opportunity for JGR to help drivers continue to develop in their racing career and we’re looking forward to seeing how Myatt continues to grow.”
Snider has three years of full-time NXS experience under his belt after making his first start in the series in 2020. In his rookie season, he split time between Richard Childress Racing (RCR) and Ryan Sieg Racing, collecting three poles, two top-five, and six top-10 finishes.
In 2021, Snider won his first NXS race at Homestead-Miami Speedway with RCR, won one pole and finished in the top 10 11 times.
For the 2022 season, Snider competed with Jordan Anderson Racing with a season-best finish at Portland Raceway of second place. He finished in the top 10 three other times last year.
Snider claimed the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Rookie of the Year honor during his full-time season in 2018.
Making the transition to driving the No. 19 should come naturally for Snider as he is no stranger to working with JGR or the team’s crew chief, Jason Ratcliff. Snider worked in various departments at JGR from 2011-2015. He also worked under Ratcliff on JGR’s No. 20 NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) car driven by Matt Kenseth in 2013.
“With six races on our 2023 schedule, I’m looking forward to climbing into the No. 19 TreeTop Toyota GR Supra with Joe Gibbs Racing this year,” Snider said. “Having worked with JGR as a high schooler and a young racer, it’s an awesome full-circle moment to return as a driver to the team that taught me so much about racing itself. It’s good to be reunited with Jason Ratcliff as we have an awesome history working together. With many memories and wins from 2013 and 2014 when I worked on the No. 20 Toyota Camry under Jason’s leadership, the team has always been more of a family relationship to me. I’m glad to be returning to the JGR family and looking forward to continuing to learn and grow as a driver.”
“I’m excited to get to work with Myatt again,” Ratcliff said. “He’s hardworking, and it will be great to have him back in the shop as a driver. I’m looking forward to getting to the track with the No. 19 guys this year and seeing what we can do.”
Tree Top will be the primary partner for Snider and his NXS campaign with JGR in 2023. Headquartered in Selah, Washington, Tree Top led the way in premium, quality juices and apple sauce and with its fruit expertise and trusted sources of fruit, now produces the widest array of fruit-based products and solutions for consumers and for most of the world’s leading food and beverage manufacturers. While apple juice and apple sauce are the backbone of the product offerings, they also make a variety of blended fruit juices and a wide range of organic and flavored fruit and vegetable products.
“We are thrilled to continue our partnership with Myatt, especially with the move to one of the best teams in NASCAR at Joe Gibbs Racing,” said Tree Top Vice President of Marketing Brad Olsen. “We look forward to building off some great finishes with the Tree Top car last year, including a second at our home race, Portland. Our growers and employees are excited to be a part of what we hope is Myatt getting back to Victory Lane in the NASCAR Xfinity Series.”
Ryan Truex, Joe Graf Jr. and Connor Mosack were previously announced as drivers of the No. 19 Toyota GR Supra combining for 14 races on the 33-race schedule. The remaining drivers and races they will compete in will be announced at a later date.
Kyle Busch announced Wednesday which five races he will run during the 2023 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series schedule while also welcoming a new sponsor to Kyle Busch Motorsports.
Busch will pilot the No. 51 Chevrolet Silverado at Las Vegas Motor Speedway (March 3), Circuit of The Americas (March 25), Martinsville Speedway (April 14), Kansas Speedway (May 6) and Pocono Raceway (July 22).
Zariz Transport joins as a primary sponsor for all five of Busch’s KBM entries this season and beyond as part of a multiyear deal, according to a team release. The company, which is an intermodal drayage company that specializes in transporting containers from ports, will also serve as an associate sponsor for the 18 remaining races for the No. 51 team. Jack Wood will pilot the entry in at least 10 races, the team announced in November 2022.
Zariz also reached a multiyear renewal to be the presenting sponsor of The Samantha and Kyle Busch Bundle of Joy Fund annual gala.
“I’m really excited to have Zariz as the primary sponsor on my No. 51 Silverado for my five races in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series in the coming years,” Busch said in a team release. “Samantha and I were introduced to Zariz through our foundation and immediately developed a great connection with them, and we are honored that not only have they committed to the Truck Series sponsorship for multiple years, but they’ll also continue being the presenting sponsor of our Bundle of Joy Fund gala.
“We feel that introducing them to NASCAR consumers and people within the industry on the national stage through the Craftsman Truck Series makes perfect sense given the nature of their business and I can’t wait to make them a part of KBM’s winning tradition.”
Busch, the winningest driver in Truck Series history with 62 victories, has won at least one race in each of the last 10 seasons, a series record. A two-time Cup champion to boot, Busch stands as the all-time wins leader combined across NASCAR’s top three series with 224 and is the only driver in history to sweep all-three NASCAR touring series in the same weekend, doing it at Bristol Motor Speedway in 2010 and repeating the feat in 2017. The Las Vegas native holds 60 Cup victories (tied with Kevin Harvick for ninth all-time) and 102 wins in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, more than double Mark Martin’s previous record of 49.
“Through working with Kyle and Samantha as the title sponsors of their Bundle of Joy gala, we recognized that there was a business synergy between Zariz and KBM and that the opportunity to align ourselves with one of the most successful drivers in the history of NASCAR is going to be very beneficial to us as we continue to grow our company,” Yaakov Guzelgul, founder and CEO of Zariz, said in a release. “We look forward to seeing our logo on the No. 51 in the coming years and hosting our employees and customers at the track to cheer on Kyle as he looks to add more wins to an already impressive resume.”
The Truck Series season begins at Daytona International Speedway on Feb. 17 (7:30 p.m. ET, FS1, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).
The year 1985 was monumental for grassroots racing in NASCAR.
The Modified series, standing as the sanctioning body’s oldest division having existed since Red Byron took the first NASCAR points-paying victory on the beach course in Daytona Beach on Feb. 15, 1948, was consolidated into what was then called the Winston Modified Tour. It featured a 29-race schedule rather than a massive, unorganized program of events.
Spearheading the creation of the Tour was six-time Modified champion Jerry Cook, who witnessed the struggles he and other racers endured financially in the early 1980s. Cook knew a formal series was the best way to cut costs and showcase the talent within the Modified ranks.
“The Modifieds as we knew them were getting awfully expensive to run on a weekly basis,” Cook said. “I told Bill France [Jr.] and everyone else that, since we still had cars, that I would like to start a Modified Tour with NASCAR. They agreed to it, and I was the one who started everything from zero.”
Cook said the formation of the Modified Tour streamlined a sturdy foundation that had been crafted for more than 35 years up to that point through its precursor in the NASCAR National Modified Championship.
The Modified division’s name derives from drivers modifying street cars in various manners to gain edges. As the years progressed, more innovations were introduced. Exposed fenders, bumper bars and offset bodies helped Modified racing form its own identity.
With those changes came a plethora of talented drivers who competed across the northeastern and southeastern U.S. more than four times a week to gain points for the National Modified Championship, which used a similar format utilized by the NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series today.
Notable drivers like Fonty Flock, Red Farmer and Bobby Allison claimed Modified titles prior to the formation of the Tour. Others like Cook, Bugs Stevens, Fred DeSarro and NASCAR Hall of Famer Richie Evans became synonymous with the division as its popularity grew.
Ray Hendrick was one of the most efficient Modified drivers during the 1960s, finishing inside the top 10 in points nine times during the decade. (Photo: ISC Images Archives via Getty Images)
Speedway Illustrated founder and former NASCAR pit reporter Dick Berggren has many fond memories of Modified competition dating back to his childhood. He considers Modifieds the most authentic form of motorsports across the United States.
Having raced both asphalt and dirt-track Modifieds, Berggren believes the division has adapted exceptionally over the years, adding the spirit and passion remain prevalent 75 years after Byron took home that first checkered flag in Daytona Beach.
“All you have to do is see what [the Modifieds] do,” Berggren said. “Those cars are incredible. They’re so much fun to watch, and they’re fun to drive. Those races are as good as any race you’re ever going to see anywhere. It’s only gotten bigger as time has gone on, especially in the last few years.”
Maintaining the appeal of Modified competition and spreading it across the country was exactly what Cook wanted to accomplish when he started the Tour.
Cook for six seasons served as the director of the Modified Tour. He established a consistent set of rules that prevented costs from skyrocketing, allowing the long-time, loyal drivers to stay committed while simultaneously creating opportunities for new names to build their own legacies.
NASCAR Hall of Famer Mike Stefanik, who ran six races in the inaugural 1985 season, went on to become one of the greatest drivers in the history of the Tour era with 74 victories and seven championships — records that have yet to be eclipsed.
Joining Stefanik as champions of the Modified Tour over the past three decades include series regulars like Ted Christopher, Donny Lia and Justin Bonsignore, along with those would later find success in NASCAR’s top three divisions like Jimmy Spencer, Mike McLaughlin and Ryan Preece.
Only a handful of notable rule changes have occurred within the Modified Tour since its inception. Cook said that has been instrumental toward keeping the culture of the series intact while motorsports continue to evolve financially and technologically.
“[The Modified Tour] has gotten a lot stronger,” Cook said. “What I felt like was best was to keep things from changing all the time. Every time you change something, it costs more money. I keep telling everyone to not mess with the cars, because the cars run the Tour. Not keeping them the same would run everyone out of business.
“Today, we still have pretty darn good car counts with every race.”
Doug Coby, a six-time Tour champion, said the series would not be on its current trajectory without the support of sponsors, drivers and fans who embrace just how unique and competitive Modified racing can be, particularly in the northeast.
Seeing Preece earn an opportunity to compete full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series after winning a Modified championship in 2013 came as validation for Coby and the rest of the Tour regulars who strive to prove they are some of the best drivers in the country.
Throughout his career, Coby has managed to consistently defeat not only some of the best drivers in the history of the Tour, but also outside competitors like 2008 Daytona 500 champion Ryan Newman, who has four victories in 32 Tour starts and plans to compete part-time in 2023.
Doug Coby celebrates one of his 34 career NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour wins at Stafford Motor Speedway in 2016. (Photo by Michael Ivins/NASCAR via Getty Images)
Reflecting on everything he has accomplished on the Tour is humbling for Coby, who never imagined becoming a legend in the discipline himself when he ran his first race at Stafford Motor Speedway in 2002.
“When I started, I was just hoping to win a race,” Coby said. “For the longest time, I had only won just once [in 2006], but I’ll never forget what it was like to win against Ted Christopher, Mike Stefanik, Tony Hirschman, Ed Flemke, Rick Fuller and all those guys who made the Modified Tour what it is. Those of us who race today don’t forget what those guys did and the significance of the Modifieds in NASCAR history.”
Coby remains a key competitive fixture of the Modified Tour ahead of his 22nd season. He races alongside an efficient core of veterans in Bonsignore, Ron Silk and defending champion Jon McKennedy, among others.
Mixed in with the veterans are drivers sustaining their own family traditions of success in Modifieds. Tony Hirschman’s son Matt has amassed a stellar resume that includes five Modified Tour victories. Mike Christopher Jr., the nephew of Ted Christopher, tallied his first victory at Jennerstown Speedway last year.
Numerous families in the Modified Tour have built their own devoted followings like the Earnhardts, Pettys and Allisons in Cup. Berggren said presence of so many recognizable names year after year is only going to keep that passionate fan base alive.
“This is a family sport,” Berggren said. “Kids grow up watching their dads race and decide they want to do what dad did. There’s a bunch of drivers out there who are second and third generation, and it takes enormous skill to be successful in these cars, but the Modified Tour is a series where people just go to watch drivers who are unlikely to compete in NASCAR’s top division.”
Coby has come to terms with being an established regular on the Modified Tour. He said would not trade any of the memories and accomplishments he has enjoyed over the past two decades.
The 75th year of Modified racing in NASCAR will see Coby return to the Tour full-time after scaling back his schedule in 2022. He will be back in Tommy Baldwin Jr.’s iconic No. 7NY Modified, which won its first owner’s title last year with a roster consisting of Coby, Christopher Jr. and Jimmy Blewett.
Coby also has an opportunity to join Stefanik as the only seven-time Modified Tour champion, which Coby would consider a tremendous honor during a season in which the history of the discipline is being recognized by NASCAR.
“There’s significance to everything, and tying anything Mike Stefanik did is one of the biggest things a Modified racer can dream of doing,” Coby said. “I wish he would be here to shake my hand and congratulate me, because he was always so graceful whenever someone had a major accomplishment in [this series].
“Chasing seven in the 7 is kind of the theme of my season, and working with Tommy is going to be exciting. I know we’re going to have fantastic cars at every track, and I want to try and win as many races and titles as possible during this next phase of my career.”
Although he is not sure how much longer his time in the series will last, Coby has every reason to believe the Modified Tour will thrive long after NASCAR’s 75th anniversary season, especially with continuous media coverage and interest from drivers like Preece, Newman, Bobby Labonte and others to run races in the series.
With a healthy car count and a diverse schedule, the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour continues to thrive in the 2020s. (Adam Glanzman/NASCAR)
Berggren shared Coby’s optimism about the future of the Modified Tour. He expects the series to maintain its blue-collar, grassroots appeal if the status quo on limiting costs and emphasizing driver safety remains in place.
“They have to keep a good handle on the cost of the cars,” Berggren said. “These cars are handled by people who work for a living, and NASCAR is aware of that. They’ve done everything to make the cars safer, and the expenses aren’t as awful as they could be. NASCAR has done phenomenal with the Modifieds, and I know they’ll continue to do so.”
When he established the Tour, Cook said he faced doubts about whether it would last even a couple years. He said the Tour’s existence in the modern era of motorsports highlights how significant it remains to both NASCAR and the people who shape the discipline’s culture.
With a diverse schedule in 2023 that includes trips outside the northeast to tracks like New Smyrna Speedway, Langley Speedway and North Wilkesboro Speedway, Cook can only see the popularity of the Modified Tour growing as the racing becomes more familiar to fans and drivers in those markets.
For Cook, if more people have opportunities to experience the competitive nature of the Modified Tour, the series can only continue on its upward trend over the next 75 years.
“The Modifieds are No. 1 on my list,” Cook said. “I still go to a few races each year and talk to the people who both race in the Tour and work in it, because I want to see the series be successful everywhere it goes. I don’t see any reason why it wouldn’t.
