Hirschman and marquis lead nascar modifieds into jennerstown

JENNERSTOWN, PA (July 5, 2005) … If the old adage of ‘practice makes perfect’ holds true, Tony Hirschman Jr. and Jerry Marquis should have a distinct advantage when the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour rolls into Jennerstown Speedway this Saturday for the Wheeler Brothers 150.

Both drivers visited the half-mile paved Somerset County oval earlier in the year to participate in all day test sessions for Hoosier Tire, who supplies the rubber for the series.

Despite the fact the new Jennerstown track surface has a reputation of being hard on tires, Hirschman – a four-time and defending Modified Tour champion – is looking forward to his return. “It is always fun coming here. It’s a Pennsylvania track, and that’s where we’re from,” said Hirschman. “We won the last time we raced here in 1999, so we are looking forward to coming back.
	Tony Hirschman

“The old track surface was pretty rough, but the new paving is smooth and has tons of traction. The excessive grip here could be an issue in the race. I think car set-up, tire management and pit stops will be major factors in who wins the race,” said the Northampton resident.

Marquis, who hails from Broad Brook, Conn., echoed Hirschman’s feelings toward the Laurel Highlands speed plant. “I’ve always liked the track. It has wide sweeping turns, a couple of grooves, and there is plenty of passing,” said Marquis, who captured the Modified Tour championship in 2000. “You can really get after the car at Jennerstown and do some serious racing. It’s a lot of fun, and you can put on a good show for the fans.”

Jerry Marquis

Another driver considered to be a heavy favorite for checkered flag honors is Ted Christopher of Plainville, Conn. Christopher, a former NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series National Champion, leads the 2005 Modified Tour point race and has won three of the five championship races contested thus far. His latest victory came this past Sunday at the Stafford Motor Speedway in Conn.

“The Wheeler Brothers 150 will mark Christopher’s first-ever visit to Jennerstown,” said track general manager Larry Mattingly. “He is one of the best short-track drivers in America. He can drive anything on wheels, and he is very aggressive on the track. He certainly isn’t afraid to use the front bumper on his car! He should put on a great show for the fans.”

Also on the race card will be a features-only format for Jennerstown’s NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series divisions, highlighted by a 50-lap attraction for the super late model class.

Spectator gates will open at 2:00 PM. NASCAR modified qualifying will take place at 4:00, with Weekly Series features set to begin at 5:00 PM. A special on-track modified autograph session is slated for 7:00, with the Wheeler Bros.150 set to take the green flag at 8:15.

NASCAr whelen modified tour notes….

… Current NASCAR Nextel Cup and Craftsman Truck competitor Steve Park holds the one-lap Jennerstown NASCAR Modified Tour track record. Park set the mark of 17.323 (108.480  MPH) back in 1996.

… Tony Hirschman Jr. is a two-time Jennerstown winner, picking up the checkered flag in 1989 and 1999. Hirschman is currently ranked fourth (30 wins) on the NASCAR  Modified total career victory list between 1985-2005.

… With Lake Erie and Nazareth no longer on the NASCAR Modified schedule, Jennerstown is the only Pennsylvania stop on the 2005 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour.

… Renee Dupuis is the only female driver participating in NASCAR’s oldest and fastest division. The distaff driver is currently ranked 15^th in the 2005 points chase.

… Current point leader Ted Christopher’s identical twin-brother, Mike, also participates on the Modified Tour. Mike currently holds down 12^th in the standings.

… Mike Ewanitsko, who captured the 1987 Jennerstown Modified Tour contest, recently underwent surgery to correct a vision problem which forced him into early retirement. The first surgery was successful and has returned one eye to 20/20 status. Mike is eagerly awaiting surgery to his second eye. It is undetermined whether Ewanitsko, who has 28 Tour victories to his credit, will attempt a come back effort. Ewanitsko has close relatives in the Jennerstown area, and always celebrated a family reunion when the tour stopped back in the 1990’s.