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February, 2009 issue of

Busch Sport Scene

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Six Modified Teams Test Bristol's High Banks and Set New Speed Records

BRISTOL, Tenn. (Wednesday, February 25, 2009) -- The NASCAR Modifieds took to the track at Bristol Motor Speedway for the first time Tuesday as part of a test session.

Bristol, the "World's Fastest Half Mile," will welcome the NASCAR Whelen Modified and NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tours for the first time in a combination race on Wednesday, Aug. 19. Tuesday provided Hoosier Tire, NASCAR and the test teams their first opportunity to see how the open-wheeled race cars performed on the concrete .533-mile oval in Tennessee.

Four NASCAR Whelen Modified Series champions were among the six drivers that challenged the "World's Fastest Half-Mile" during the test session on Tuesday.

To start the day, all six cars employed the same restrictor plate that is used annually at the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour's two events at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. In the morning session, Todd Szegedy paced the field with a fast lap of 15.022 seconds (127.733 mph).

The afternoon session proved to be significantly faster for all involved as the temperature warmed. The cars ran with carburetor restrictor-plates early in the afternoon. The fastest time with plates was clocked by L.W. Miller of Dushore, Pa. Miller circled the half-mile track in 14.742 sec., breaking Ryan Newman's Cup Series track record of 14.908 sec. set in 2003.

"We came here this morning not sure how we were going to need to approach this [racing at Bristol]," said L.W. Miller, driver of the No. 36 NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour car. "I was real comfortable this morning. I feel that we've run enough today to come back [in August] and be on the right track."

Szegedy, driver of the No. 2 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour car, was also impressed with how quickly he was able to adapt to the circuit, even in near-freezing temperatures to start the day.

"When it's really cold temperatures, the tires have a tough time heating up," Szegedy said. "When I got out on the track, it felt like I could just go right away. There's a lot of grip in the track for sure, and a lot of g-forces."

In addition to Miller and Szegedy, four other drivers also tested Bristol on Tuesday. NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour veterans Ted Christopher, Matt Hirschman and Ron Silk turned laps as well as Brian Loftin from the NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour.

As of mid-afternoon, Miller topped the charts at 14.742 seconds (130.159 mph.), well under the current NASCAR Sprint Cup Series track qualifying record of 14.908 seconds (128.709) set by Ryan Newman in 2003. In fact, Christopher (14.805), Silk (14.818), Szegedy (14.869) and Hirschman (14.894) had all exceeded Newman's mark.

In the late hours of the day, the plates came off, resulting in even faster times.

Ted Christopher, 2008 Whelen Modified Tour Champion, jumped at the chance to test his car on the .533 mile track with the engine unrestricted. Christopher turned the fastest lap of the evening, a mind-blowing 14.479 sec.

"It's crazy. It's intense," said the Plainville, Conn. native. "The one thing you have to remember is to breathe. I've never been anywhere that you can drive without lifting [the throttle]."

Christopher said race fans should be in for quite a show when the Whelen Modified Tour returns Aug. 19 for a doubleheader event with the NASCAR Camping World Series.

"We will have to have some give and take," he continued. "We're going to be able to do some cross-over moves. I think it's going to be a very technical race."

"We appreciate the opportunity to be here," said Christopher. "The cars run around here pretty good. They're very fast."

Szegedy said the track is unlike any other he has tried to conquer.

"There are a lot of G's pushing you down into the seat," he said. "It will take time to get used to it, but it is definitely a lot of fun."

All of the drivers were appreciative of the chance to test at the track.

"It is an honor to be here," said Loftin. "I think this will become one of the crown jewels of modified racing. This is one of the most fun places to race and I think we will put on a good show later this year."

The open-wheel machines, which put out 600 horsepower and weigh 2,610 lbs., will return to Thunder Valley during the August Sharpie 500 race week.

Driver Time Speed

Ted Christopher 14.479 sec. 132.523 mph

Matt Hirschman 14.577 sec. 131.632 mph

Ronnie Silk 14.722 sec. 130.336 mph

L.W. Miller 14.742 sec. 130.159 mph

Todd Szegedy 14.761 sec. 129.991 mph

Brian Loftin 15.025 sec. 127.716 mph