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NASCAR Whelen
Southern Modified Tour News & Notes - Caraway
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Smith Looks To Earn Respect And Wins
· Caraway Has History Of Notable Champions
· Official Spotlight On Flagman Jeff Bunton
September 5, Daytona Beach, FL--- Smith Out To Prove Good Guys Sometimes Finish First
The old saying goes that nice guys always seem to finish last. That’s not exactly the case for NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour driver John Smith.
Smith (No. 25 Tutterow Surveying/Rick’s Home Repair Chevrolet) is easily one of the most respected figures in the Whelen Southern Modified Tour garage area – both on and off the track. The 33-year-old Mount Airy, N.C., native isn’t afraid to rub fenders with the best of the best if the situation arises, but Smith prefers to race his fellow competitors with respect.
“I just try to race everybody as clean and fair as possible because that’s the way I was brought up to race,” Smith said. “In the Whelen Southern Modified Tour everybody pretty much treats everybody with respect and that’s the way it should be. We race and we race hard so a little bit of rubbing should be expected. We might beat and bang a little bit but when it comes down to it, we all know we’re a really tight-knot community.
“If anybody in the pits needs anything from me, they know they can come to me even if we had a run-in the week before. That’s what it’s all about when it comes down to it. That’s what is so cool about the Whelen Southern Modified Tour – everybody is willing to help each other.”
Smith drives for longtime team owner Grady Tutterow who helped him get started racing in the Modified division in 2000 at the legendary Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, N.C.
Smith says one of the aspects that makes racing on the Whelen Southern Modified Tour most important to him is the laidback atmosphere that he is able to enjoy with his family, friends and Tutterow. Smith will be gunning for his first career Whelen Southern Modified Tour victory on Saturday night in the Whelen 150 at the Asheboro, N.C., short track.
Smith is well aware that it will not be an easy task. Smith also said he can tell a major difference in the level of professionalism since NASCAR took over sanction of the Whelen Southern Modified Tour in 2005.
“I think it’s a whole lot better than it was,” Smith said. “It’s just so more organized and all the races seem to run a whole lot smoother than the way it used to be. The rules and regulations are a lot better and I think all the cars are about as equal as you could ask for. Nowadays if you get beat, you just get beat. You’re not getting beat by somebody that’s bending the rules. This Tour is still fairly young but the car counts are getting better and better every week. I like being able to travel to different race tracks.
“Last weekend at Lanier I took my whole family down the day before the race and we got to spend a couple of days together doing things like shopping and swimming. We just had a big time being able to do things like that because it makes it so much more enjoyable.”
Smith is the first to admit that being able to have his family being involved in his hobby and passion for racing is something that means a lot.
“It wouldn’t be as fun if I had to do it by myself,” Smith said. “It’s like when we’re working at the shop at night. My wife, Cindy, brings all of the guys on the crew supper and drinks so that’s neat to me. My mother cleans the trailer out every week so she has a job to do, too. Everybody in my family has their own little job to do when it comes to my racing.”
Smith came painfully close to scoring his first Tour victory last August at Bowman Gray, leading on the last lap until a bump from behind sent him spinning.
“We were real close to pulling that race at Bowman Gray off last year but Burt Myers got into me on the last lap,” Smith said. “Stuff like that just makes us even hungrier because we have shown we are capable of winning one of these races. It’s amazing how much better we’ve got since we started on the Southern Modified Tour . I’ve come close to winning at Caraway before but had a tire go flat on me. If we can keep our stuff together we can win a race pretty soon.”
Smith laughs when asked about his nickname of being the ‘Mount Airy Bullet,’ a name that was tagged on him in reference to ‘The Andy Griffith Show.’
“There was a guy that was announcing over the public address system several years ago at Bowman Gray that came up with that name for me,” Smith said. “My wife told me about it and I just laughed because he called me that when I was qualifying and I couldn’t hear it. I guess when you get stuck with something it just stays with you. I guess I could be called worse.”
For now, the focus of Smith is on Saturday night’s 150-lapper at Caraway.
“We’ve kind of evaluated our situation a little bit so we’re looking forward to getting back to Caraway and see how we stack up,” Smith said. “We don’t have all our ducks in a row just yet but I can tell they’re starting to line up a little better. We have to get our program better at Caraway because half our races are at that track. If you want to finish in the top three or four in the points, you better know how to get around Caraway. It’s that important to be good at Caraway. We’re not where we need to be just yet, but we’re working on it.”
The Race: Whelen Southern Modified 150
The Place: Caraway Speedway, Asheboro, N.C.
The Date: Saturday, Sept. 6
The Time: 8 p.m. ET
Track Layout: .455-mile paved ova;
Race Purse: $25,920
2007 Winner: Burt Myers
2007 Pole: L.W. Miller
Schedule: Saturday: Practice 4-4:45 p.m., Time Trials 6:30 p.m.
Track Contact: Renee Hackett, (336) 629-5803 or carawayspeedway@embarqmail.com.
News & Notes
The race: This event is the seventh of 11 races on the NASCAR Whelen Modified Southern Tour schedule. It is the fourth of sixth races in 2007 at Caraway (N.C.) Speedway.
The procedure: The starting field is 26 cars, including provisionals. The first 24 cars will qualify through two-lap time trials. The remaining two spots will be awarded through the provisional process. The race will be 150 laps (68.25 miles).
The Track: Caraway Speedway was built in 1966 and remained a dirt track until 1972 when it became a NASCAR-sanctioned track. The .455-mile asphalt oval has been owned and operated by Russell and Valastra Hackett since 1977.
Caraway Leaders: There have been 20 Whelen Southern Modified races at Caraway Speedway since the Asheboro, N.C., short track started hosting the Tour on March 25, 1965.
Brian Loftin (No. 23 L&R Transmission/QMF Solution Chevrolet) and L.W. Miller (No. 36 John Baker Plumbing & Utilities Pontiac) share the honors of having the most victories at the .455-mile track with six wins apiece.
Loftin has won four of the last five races at Caraway. Miller has scored six victories in an eight-race span between 2006-08.
Pole Winners: Burt Myers (No. 1 Moorefield Trantham Ford) leads all Whelen Southern Modified drivers with seven Coors Light Pole Awards at Caraway.
Brian Loftin holds the track record at a speed of 103.783 mph, which was claimed on Sept. 22, 2007.
NASCAR Official Spotlight: Flagman Jeff Bunton
NAME: Jeff Bunton
HOMETOWN: Graham, N.C.
MARITAL STATUS: Single
CHILDREN: None
BIRTH DATE: Feb. 20, 1987
OCCUPATION: Service Advisor at Dick Shirley Chevrolet in Burlington, N.C.
RACE DAY DUTIES: Chief Flagman & Technical Inspector
HOBBIES: Softball and spending time with girlfriend, Stephanie
QUOTES: “It’s something I always wanted to do since I was real young. My dad used to take me to our local short track at Orange County (N.C.) Speedway and the first thing I noticed was the flagman and how it looked like it would be a really cool job. When I was 15 years old the folks at Orange County put me in the flag stand and I was the youngest person to ever be able to do that. Eventually I got a job with Ace (N.C.) Speedway, which is my local track, and I tried to move up the ladder ever since. When the Whelen Southern Modified Tour came to Ace for the first time, I was hooked on this type of racing. It’s a dream come true and I really look forward to the future because this series is growing by leaps and bounds every race. I know a lot of people might think this series is a stepping stone to the bigger leagues of NASCAR, but my heart is with the Whelen Southern Modified Tour and local short-track racing.”
Benson Latest In Line Of Notable Late Model Champions
When Randy Benson clinched the Late Model Stock division championship at Caraway Speedway, he became the seventh driver to win multiple track titles on the historic .455-mile oval.
Benson successfully defended his 2007 championship on the strength of eight wins in 16 starts. He easily outdistanced Pete Stewart and rookie Ryan Wilson in the points race.
Steve Loftin and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver Dennis Setzer hold the track record with three Late Model championships apiece. Setzer won his three all in a row, from 1988 to 1990. Loftin won back-to-back titles in 1989-99 and then his third in 2002.
The year before Setzer won his title, future NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Bobby Labonte edged him for the track championship.
Future NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series champion Mike Skinner collected the 1993 track title at Caraway, and Justin Labonte — son of two-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Terry Labonte and nephew to Bobby — added another trophy to the family mantle with the championship in 2003.
The NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour race Saturday will be accompanied by a 75-lap Late Model Stock race and a 60-lap Sportsman race. Roy Hunter has won five of the 10 Sportsman features and holds a 490-462 points lead over Ricky Frazier.
In addition, Caraway played host to three NASCAR Nationwide Series races between 1982 and ‘83.
Dale Earnhardt and Jack Ingram won series races at Caraway, while Butch Lindley held off Ingram to win in 1983. Another legend, Sam Ard, won the pole for all three events.
Your Vote Counts
Less than two months remain to determine who will be the 2008 NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour Most Popular Driver. Fans can vote once a day for their favorite Modified drivers from now until October 19 by visiting nascarhometracks.com. Results of the balloting will be announced at the postseason banquet.
Marital
Proposal Leads to Big First Modified Tour Win For Brunnhoelzl
Family Is the Name of the Game for Third Generation Driver’s Sudden Success
September 2, Concord, NC--- Sometimes it takes one piece of the puzzle to make the rest of it all come together. For third-generation driver George Brunnhoelzl, the puzzle of life and racing have all come together rather nicely over the last two weeks, culminating with his first ever NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour victory at Lanier 150 at Lanier National Speedway (GA).
The win came on the heels of another great moment in George’s life, when he proposed to long-time girlfriend Heather DeBello.
“We went on vacation to the Bahamas and Cable Beach and got engaged while we were down there,” said the smiling young driver. “That’s a big part of my life there and I’m happy. We came home and two weeks later won the race, and that’s even better. It’s good all around.
“Everybody has been teasing me about it that it took me proposing to get the win. You see, Heather and I have been together for almost eight years and everyone keeps coming up saying you should have done it seven years ago and you probably would have had a lot more wins under your belt. So it’s fun; everyone is joking around; it’s a good deal.”
Brunnhoelzl’s first Tour victory came in decisive fashion as well. He won the pole with fast time for the Southern Mod Tour’s first stop at Lanier National Speedway. After the re-draw, Brunnhoelzl started sixth but wasted no time carving his way to the front. On lap 25 the winning move came with an outside-groove pass around veteran Mod driver Frank Fleming. George set the pace ahead of a highly-competitive field of Modifieds for the remaining 125 laps of the race.
“We went out there and sat on the pole, which was awesome in itself. Then we redrew sixth and came to the front. We were able to hold it the whole race. The car was unbelievably good. It was just on rails tonight.”
“I cannot thank everybody enough… Oval Speed, Performance Technologies for an awesome engine and Brunnhoelzl racing, I mean my dad. I owe it all to my dad… without him I would not even be here. I am just speechless. I do not know what else to say. It is awesome.”
Racing is a family affair for the Brunnhoelzls. George’s dad and grandfather were successful Modified racers. The hard working racing family had an incredibly successful Labor Day weekend. Not only did George score the pole and win at Lanier, he scored another pole and finished third in the Inaugural Brian Pack Memorial 150 ASA Modified Tour race at Ace Speedway (NC) on Labor Day. Other Brunnhoelzls found success this weekend too. George’s cousin Eddie III, another third-generation Brunnhoelzl, scored the pole and win at a weekly NASCAR Modified race at Riverhead Raceway in Long Island, NY.
But for George, winning the race at Lanier will be a moment he will not soon forget. After growing up chasing races with his father, and years of racing with his father by his side, doing it as a family makes it feel even better.
“I cannot describe how special this win is,” said an elated Brunnhoelzl. “We have been racing together for all of my life. This is our first actual racecar win. We have won go-cart championships left and right, but this is our first actual race win, and I cannot describe how great it feels to be here with my dad.”
Fast racecars, a marital proposal and a first win have George’s life heading in the right direction, and he is loving every minute of it.
“Everything right now in my life is going great… in my personal life, my racing life and my business life. Everything is going good right now. I couldn’t ask for anything more.”
George carries his momentum into the NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour’s next stop at Caraway Speedway near Asheboro, NC, on September 6th.
For more information on George Brunnhoelzl III, please contact Matthew Dillner at (704) 788-2134 and check out the George Brunnhoelzl website at www.georgebrunnhoelzl.com.
FINALLY FIRST: GEORGE BRUNNHOELZL SCORES FIRST CAREER WHELEN SOUTHERN MODIFIED TOUR WIN SATURDAY AT LANIER
August 31, Braselton, GA--- On Saturday night at Lanier National Speedway, it was a case of ‘finally first’ for NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour driver George Brunnhoelzl who scored his first career victory in rather convincing fashion in one of the most competitive races in series history.
The third-generation racer from Babylon, N.Y. took the lead from Frank Fleming – who was also looking for his first Whelen Southern Modified Tour victory – and wheeled his way to the front on Lap 25 and never looked back as his family-owned No. 28 Oval Speed Unlimited Chevrolet won his first race in his 20th career start.
“This is unbelievable and this night has been a long time coming,” Brunnhoelzl said. “Tonight we were fortunate enough to sit on the pole and win the race. This is awesome and just unreal. This car was on rails tonight. Emotionally this is huge. Dad and I have been racing together my whole life and to see the look on his face when I pulled into Victory Lane was something I’ll never forget. I couldn’t be any happier than I am right now. I’ll never forget this night.”
Fleming was both disappointed in coming up shy of the win but also very respectful towards Brunnhoelzl.
“I wanted to win but I got beat by one car,” Fleming said. “I’m glad to see anybody win a race that hasn’t won in a while. I was just glad to be competitive. I usually get beat by guys like L.W. Miller and Brian Loftin and I beat them tonight and still finished second. It was a good night for us and we’re going to hopefully win a race pretty soon.”
Rounding out the top-five behind Brunnhoelzl and Fleming were L.W. Miller, current championship leader Brian Loftin and Tim Brown. The Top-10 was completed by Burt Myers, Brian King, Jason Myers, Andy Seuss and Buddy Emory.
The Whelen Southern Modified Tour returns to action next Saturday night, Sept. 6 at Caraway Speedway in Asheboro, N.C. with a 150-lap race on tap.
UNOFFICIAL RACE RESULTS
NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour-Lanier 150 Results on Saturday At Lanier National Speedway, Gainesville, GA
Lap length: 0.37 miles
(Start position in parentheses)
1. (6) George Brunnhoelzl, Babylon, N.Y., Ford, 150 laps, 76.230 mph, $2,500.
2. (5) Frank Fleming, Mount Airy, N.C., Pontiac, 150, $1,500.
3. (10) L.W. Miller, Mooresville, N.C., Pontiac, 150, $1,425.
4. (9) Brian Loftin, Lexington, N.C., Chevrolet, 150, $1,050.
5. (1) Tim Brown, Cana, VA., Chevrolet, 150, $1,000.
6. (3) Burt Myers, Walnut-Cove, N.C., Ford, 150, $850.
7. (2) Brian King, Burlington, N.C., Chevrolet, 150, $750.
8. (4) Jason Myers, Walnut Cove, N.C., Ford, 150, $690.
9. (14) Andy Seuss, Hampstead, N.H., Dodge, 150, $590.
10. (11) Buddy Emory, Petersburg, VA., Chevrolet, 150, $650.
11. (12) Ronnie Silk, Norwalk, Conn., Pontiac, 150, $525.
12. (15) John Smith, Mount Airy, N.C., Chevrolet, 150, $500.
13. (7) Brandon Hire, Winston-Salem, N.C., Chevrolet, 150, $485.
14. (13) Jay Mize, Clemmons, N.C., Chevrolet, 149, $460.
15. (16) Rich Kuiken, Jr., Staffordville, N.J., Chevrolet, 148, $445.
16. (8) Scott Rigney, Mount Airy, N.C., Pontiac, 141, $430.
17. (17) Scott Gartner, Sunset Beach, N.C., Pontiac, 20, rear end, $420.
Race Statistics
Time of Race: 0 hours 43 minutes 41 seconds
Margin of Victory: 1.558 seconds
Fastest Qualifier: G. Brunnhoelzl (98.353 mph, 13.543 seconds)
Caution Flags: 4 for 23 laps.
Lead Changes: 2 among 3 drivers.
Lap Leaders: T. Brown 1-18; F. Fleming 19-24; G. Brunnhoelzl 25-150.
Disclaimer: Views expressed by columnists and all others on this website are strictly their own, and may not necessarily reflect the views and/or opinions of the management of Long Island Motorsports News.
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