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 THOMPSON,
CT (October 21) -- NASCAR Featherlite Modified driver, Ted
Christopher, won the final race of the season capturing the 125-lap
Xtramart World Series of Auto Racing Sunday afternoon at Thompson
International Speedway. The win was Christopher's second of the season
and was worth $7,475. Mike Stefanik, who entered the event locked in a
three-way battle with Jerry Marquis and John Blewett, III, won the
2001 series championship after finishing in second place, after one of
the most exciting seasons in series history. Also of note, Hoosier
Racing Tire Corp. and NASCAR entered into a 3-year pact which
officially names Hoosier as the exclusive tire for the series through
the 2004 season.
Ted Christopher won the Bud Pole Award for being
the fastest qualifier at 18.726 seconds or 120.154 mph around the
5/8-mile oval. The ten quickest then drew for their respective
starting positions. The draw placed John Blewett, III on the pole with
Mike Christopher alongside. Blewett, entered the race tied with Jerry
Marquis, just 20 points behind Stefanik in the points chase. Blewett
immediately jumped out to the early race lead before Mike Stefanik,
who started in fifth place, moved into the lead on lap 17. Stefanik
led until lap 31, when Bud Pole winner, Christopher, took the lead
after starting sixth. Christopher would lead until lap 53, when
Stefanik regained the race lead. Blewett's championship
hopes ended on lap 58, when after a restart, the New Jersey driver's
rear end let go, leaving the battle for the series title up to
Stefanik and Marquis. Christopher regained the race lead from
Stefanik for good on lap 66. The race ended with Ted Christopher
taking the win and collecting $7,475. Mike Stefanik came home
runner-up, ahead of both title challengers, thus giving the Coventry,
Rhode Island driver the series crown. Rounding out the top five was
Jerry Marquis in third after starting ninth, Charlie Pasteryak in
fourth and Tony Hirschman in fifth. Other races notes, Eddie Flemke
finished sixth after starting way back in 27th place. The 125-lap
event had just three caution flags for 25 laps, as 13 of the 32 race
starters finished on the lead lap. The exciting 2001 NASCAR
Featherlite Modified Series season came to a climactic close Sunday as
Mike Stefanik captured the series championship with 2993 points,
followed closely by Jerry Marquis with 2968 points. John Blewett, III
completes his successful season in third place with 2891 points. Hoosier
Racing Tire Corp. extends congratulations to Mike Stefanik on his
championship and to John Blewett, III and Jerry Marquis for the season
long battle they waged with the champion. Hoosier also extends it's
appreciation to all the competitors and fans who made the 2001 NASCAR
Featherlite Modified Series a success. Our hope is, that with the new
long term exclusive tire supplier agreement with NASCAR, many more
seasons like the one just completed loom near on the horizon. |
