The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour’s largest contingent
of rookie drivers in series history will be among the
competitors attempting to qualify for one of the 33
starting spots at the Carquest Tech-Net Spring Sizzler
at Stafford Motor Speedway on April 30th.
A total of 14 competitors have
registered as Sunoco Rookie of The Year candidates,
eclipsing the mark of 2004 when 10 rookie drivers
registered at the start of the season.
After one event James Civali of
Meriden, Conn. leads the Sunoco Rookie of the Year
standings as he was the highest finishing rookie at the
series opener in Thompson, Conn. after placing sixth.
Mike Andrews of Ridge, N.Y. is second in the standings.
Andrews finished 7th and was the only other
rookie driver in the Top 10 at Thompson.
Other rookie candidates who scored
points at Thompson and will be looking to add to their
season total at Stafford include: Jon McKennedy of
Chelmsford, Mass., Ronnie Silk of Norwalk, Conn.,
Anthony Sesely of Matawan, N.J., Ron Yuhas, of Groton.
Conn., Eric Berndt of Rocky Hill, Conn., Danny Sammons
of Hamilton, N.J., Matt Hirschman of Northampton, Pa.,
and Glen Tyler of Hampton Bays, N.Y.
Joe Hartman and Ken Heagy both
from Calverton, N.Y., Joseph Mongeau of Brick, N.J. and
Chris Pasteryak of Lisbon, Conn. are all registered
rookies looking to qualify for their first event of 2006
at the Sizzler.
The Sunoco Rookie of the Year
award is determined by a "race within the
race." The highest finishing Rookie earns 10
points, the second highest earns 9 points and the points
are reduced by one until 10th place. If there
are more than 10 rookies in the race any driver who
finishes 10th or worse earns a point. The
final number of competition points earned by each driver
will be based on his/her highest finish in 75% of the
races during the season.
At season’s end, the top rookie
wins a $3,500 bonus from Sunoco, the official fuel of
NASCAR.
The Carquest Tech-Net Spring
Sizzler is one of the most prestigious events on the
Whelen Modified Tour. It’s an event victory every
veteran driver wants on their resume. The 2006 version
of the Sizzler will have large group of new faces eager
to make this history-laden event their first career win
on the series.
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