For the 500th NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour race, held this past weekend at Martinsville Speedway (VA), there were almost 50 cars were on hand to qualify and with the high car count there was a lot of tough competition for the pole.
Andy Seuss started the Martinsville Whelen 300 from way back in the pack in twenty-ninth spot. The car was running great and ready to race. Seuss made his way through the pack and into the top 10 by mid-race. The team had a good pit stop under the competition caution period at lap 150 and came back out to continue their charge to the front. “
“This car we ran was the newer car that we had not run since it since we lost the oil line at Caraway,” said Seuss. “The car was flawless. We were super fast in practice and it was great on long runs. The car was incredible and we showed that coming through the pack to make it to eighth place by halfway.”
On lap 160, Seuss was up to the seventh position.
“Most of the moves we made were on the outside. It was definitely easier to pass on the inside, but our car was real good so we had no problems. The only problem we had was when we started on the outside behind somebody that was struggling and that cost us a few spots from time to time. But our car was just awesome on the outside so we had no problems passing there.”
Unfortunately, Seuss would not make any further progress through the field. An electrical system problem dropped his Modified out of the event and left him with a finish of 31st.
This was the first time that Seuss competed at the famed Martinsville Speedway. It was a great experience to race where the racing legends have run.
“The track was awesome it was not as flat as I thought it would be. The facility is just incredible. Obviously any where the Cup Series has run is going to be impressive. The infield, the garage, the grandstands, just everything about the place made it a good time and a great place to show off the Modifieds.”
As the racing season unwinds, Andy Seuss has set there sights on a top five spot in the NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour point standings. He is just thirteen points right now behind the fourth place contender of Jason Myers.
“The realistic goal is a top five,” said Seuss. “The championship is out of reach and the top four top position are locked in. If we could get a top five, that would be great. It is a real close race between myself, Jason Myers and Frank Fleming. They are both accomplished drivers and have experience at Caraway. So it will be a battle right down to the end and hopefully luck will be on our side.”
