NASCAR Whelan and K&N Series Kick Off
The NASCAR Whelen Modified and K&N Pro West Series both had their season openers this past weekend. Tucson Speedway was the scene for the opening race in the 2017 season for the K&N Pro West Tour, while Myrtle Beach played host to the Whelen Modified Tour’s opening battle. Both races saw firsts.
Myrtle Beach Hosts Season Opener for Unified NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour
Saturday’s race at Myrtle Beach Speedway was the first ever race for the unified NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour. NASCAR combined the NASCAR Whelen Modified and the NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified and created a larger tour this year. Combining these two series will result in there being $500,000 available at the end of the season for points winners. This is more than any other asphalt modified racing series offers.
Solomito Wins Historic Race at Myrtle Beach with Late Race Charge
Driver Timmy Solomito, in the Starrett Tools number 16 Ford, got the lead after a caution that came late. He was able to hold off Rob Summers to win in a green-white-checker finish. The win, Solomito’s fifth, was the first ever in the new unified Whelen Modified Series. It was also the first G-W-C of the season and ever for the Series.
Eggleston Gains First Career Win at Tucson in K&K Pro West Series
27-year-old Colorado native Chris Eggleston said he “stepped up his game” during the second half of the NASCAR K&N Pro West season opener at Tucson Speedway in order to win it. Eggleston gave a strong performance by leading 80 of 150 laps in the NAPA Auto Parts Tucson 150 in his number 99 NAPA Filters Toyota. Eggleston had to hold off late charges by Todd Gilliland and Garrett Archer. The win was the sixth of his career. He is now in the hunt for the NAPA 500 Challenge, which will gain him a bonus of $100,000 if he wins all four of the Challenge races.
