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 WATERFORD,
CT (May 15) -- Of the five NASCAR Touring Divisions that Hoosier
exclusively provides tires for, only the NASCAR Featherlite Modified
Series was in action this past weekend. Eddie Flemke was in the right
place at the right time en route to winning the "XTRA-MART
150" at Waterford Speedbowl on Saturday. Flemke was following
Mike Stefanik on the final lap of the race when Stefanik slipped in
the debris left on the track after a last-lap spin into the infield by
another car. The momentary bobble was all Flemke needed to snatch the
win. Ironically, it was the only lap he led in the 152-lap race.
Flemke, driving the Ron Bouchard Auto Store Pontiac, collected $4,800
for his 15th career win in the popular northeastern series. The series
has now enjoyed three different winners in its first three events of
the 2004 season.
Forty-five open wheel asphalt modifieds jammed the
pits at Waterford Speedbowl's .375-mile oval attempting to gain entry
into the elite 30-car starting grid for the XTRA-MART 150.
The race began with pole-sitter Chuck Hossfeld
immediately taking command of the race. Hossfeld, last year's
runner-up to Todd Szegedy in the NASCAR Featherlite Modified Series
championship points chase, led the race's first 80 laps and through
three caution flags. On lap 81, eighth starting Mike Stefanik took
over the race lead and looked to be on his way to collecting his first
win of the season.
But on the final lap, a car spun into the infield
sending debris onto the track as Stefanik and then second running
Eddie Flemke were charging to the finish line. Unfortunately for
Stefanik, he slipped in the debris opening the door for Flemke to slip
by him for the $4,800 win after starting fourth. A disappointed
Stefanik settled for second place, while earning $3,200 for his
efforts. Tony Hirschman finished in third place followed by Jerry
Marquis and Todd Szegedy to round out the top five.
Fifteen of the 33 starters finished the race on the
lead lap. The race was the typical short track event with seven
caution flags for a total of 54 laps. The event was serviced by
Hoosier Tire East of Manchester, CT.
Eddie Flemke, who has now finished in the top-three in
each of the first three races of the season, retains the top spot in
the driver standings over Tony Hirschman who also notched his third
top-five finish of the season on Saturday. Flemke's lead is 25 points
over Hirschman. Ted Christopher, Tony Ferante, Jr. and Chuck Hossfeld
round out the top five in the standings. The top six drivers in the
rankings are all separated by less than 100 points.
The NASCAR Featherlite Modified Series is back in
action this Sunday (May 23) at Nazareth (PA) Speedway.
Hoosier's Irish Saunders is the Product Manager for
the open wheel asphalt tire line used in the NASCAR Featherlite
Modified Series.
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