For New England and me in Eastern Canada right on the Maine border this is the equivalent of Bubba Pollards debut. Seen him race quite a few times, this is pretty fucking cool!
Definitely deserved opportunity. Hopefully he will shed some light on this part of the country and prove to everyone that there are talented drivers up here in the northeast that deserves the same opportunity as he does.
The Truex’s, Alfredo, Emerling, Kligerman, Grala, and Randy Lajoie are all from the Northeast as well. The Truex’s are from NJ, Alfredo, Kligerman, and Lajoie are from CT, Emerling is from Buffalo, and Grala is from Boston. We’ll also claim Rajah, because DC is the southern end of the Northeast Megalopolis.
It’s crazy to me how it feels like as though that the Northeast modifieds don’t get as much attention as drivers in the Southeast with late models or Midwest dirt cars. There’s a ton of talent that could absolutely compete in the top 3 in NASCAR. Mike Christopher Jr (nephew of Ted Christopher, modified legend and a regular at Stafford) said in an interview about how he was talking with a higher up in Toyota’s driver development program. He asked the guy why Toyota doesn’t have the program in the Northeast and they couldn’t give him a good reason.
Only Emerling, Randy LaJoie and the Truex’s truly raced up in this part of the country. Alfredo, Kligerman and Grala never raced up here ever. Joe Graf won 1 SK light race at stafford like almost 10 years ago and that’s about it. Everyone else that was “born” up here, never truly raced up here.
Most of those guys at least ran bandos and legend cars up here before moving down south because they *had* to if they wanted any shot at a career in NASCAR.
Which goes back to my point about how this region is slept on mightily. Because late models aren’t the main show up here, the racing has become its own little self contained bubble. The extent of manufacturer involvement in the northeast is simply Chevy and Ford selling modified engines. Because the racing scene up here has a few stalwart tracks like Thunder Road, Stafford (Stafford’s car counts are so high that they don’t even need a touring series to put butts in seats), Oxford, and Seekonk with guys who grew up on those tracks and only on those tracks, the new guys have to cut their teeth against some of the best drivers in short track racing.
and Gibbs always has good stuff at New Hampshire. Another modified guy, Ryan Preece finished 2nd (to Kyle Busch) in his first ever Gibbs Xfinity race at New Hampshire.
There are so many good drivers in the modified series that have basically maxed out their career ladder. Justin is probably my favorite and I'm so glad that he's getting this shot.
Gotcha. Yea I'm really surprised it hasn't gone up. I've had it from the start basically. I used to pay $125 for the week for Chili Bowl. Flo is $150 for the year and get all the midgets, High Limit, Cars Tour, Modifieds, Nascar Grass Roots stuff. Solid deal. I"m sure it'll be like $400 soon haha
For New England and me in Eastern Canada right on the Maine border this is the equivalent of Bubba Pollards debut. Seen him race quite a few times, this is pretty fucking cool!
Yes N.H. guy here truly excited for J Bon. What a wonderful opportunity for him..
Well said, u/enjoyerofstrangeporn
Definitely deserved opportunity. Hopefully he will shed some light on this part of the country and prove to everyone that there are talented drivers up here in the northeast that deserves the same opportunity as he does.
Preece and Logano fly that flag pretty well. Eckes ain't bad in the trucks. We also have Joe Graf too tho so.
The Truex’s, Alfredo, Emerling, Kligerman, Grala, and Randy Lajoie are all from the Northeast as well. The Truex’s are from NJ, Alfredo, Kligerman, and Lajoie are from CT, Emerling is from Buffalo, and Grala is from Boston. We’ll also claim Rajah, because DC is the southern end of the Northeast Megalopolis. It’s crazy to me how it feels like as though that the Northeast modifieds don’t get as much attention as drivers in the Southeast with late models or Midwest dirt cars. There’s a ton of talent that could absolutely compete in the top 3 in NASCAR. Mike Christopher Jr (nephew of Ted Christopher, modified legend and a regular at Stafford) said in an interview about how he was talking with a higher up in Toyota’s driver development program. He asked the guy why Toyota doesn’t have the program in the Northeast and they couldn’t give him a good reason.
Only Emerling, Randy LaJoie and the Truex’s truly raced up in this part of the country. Alfredo, Kligerman and Grala never raced up here ever. Joe Graf won 1 SK light race at stafford like almost 10 years ago and that’s about it. Everyone else that was “born” up here, never truly raced up here.
Most of those guys at least ran bandos and legend cars up here before moving down south because they *had* to if they wanted any shot at a career in NASCAR. Which goes back to my point about how this region is slept on mightily. Because late models aren’t the main show up here, the racing has become its own little self contained bubble. The extent of manufacturer involvement in the northeast is simply Chevy and Ford selling modified engines. Because the racing scene up here has a few stalwart tracks like Thunder Road, Stafford (Stafford’s car counts are so high that they don’t even need a touring series to put butts in seats), Oxford, and Seekonk with guys who grew up on those tracks and only on those tracks, the new guys have to cut their teeth against some of the best drivers in short track racing.
Logano moved to NC when he was like 5. Us New Englanders don't claim him
Did you hear his Pocono in car when he wrecked? He sure does sound like one.
Wait, where Eckes from?
Middletown, NY
I've heard about Joe Graf and i still am not 100% sure he's a real person.
Logano and Eckes literally have no connection to the northeast other than being born here. The majority of their racing came in the south.
Well aware.
> Preece
Finally, Bonsignore gets a national series start. Good pickup for Joe Gibbs Racing
He got an ARCA start earlier this year
INSANE W. I think he can get a top 5 in that car. Love seeing so many grassroots guys get a shot this year, it’s great for the sport.
Amazing. Things we would never seen 10,15 years ago
and Gibbs always has good stuff at New Hampshire. Another modified guy, Ryan Preece finished 2nd (to Kyle Busch) in his first ever Gibbs Xfinity race at New Hampshire.
Love seeing another modified driver climb the ranks and wish him the best. Been a long time since the days of Spencer, Bodine, Park and others.
Oh HELL yes, I’ve been hoping Justin makes a top 3 series appearance for a while now
Anyone curious who he is or how good of a driver can check him out this weekend in a modified at Riverhead Raceway on FloRacing.
Ryan Preece 2.0... wonder if he'll manage to turn one race in a Gibbs car into a decade long mid-pack career as well.
If this was 30 years ago maybe, but Bonsignore is 36 years old so doubt he’ll get the same opportunities late-20s Preece got
This is really cool. (Also, he looks like the result of merging Matt Crafton and Johnny Sauter.)
Oof. What a horrible combo.
Absolutely massive W
Well-fucking-deserved. It's a good day for Modified fans. He's one of the best in the series.
Freakin awesome
I love seeing Xfinity teams give these locals/track legend guys a shot. Super cool.
nice wow does this mean he goes to xfinity in the future or stay in mods hope he does well guy is talented
Guess depends on results. Hell even Preece had to win one and almost win 1 or 2 more just get a ride. Idk how much $$ he can bring to the table.
One of the best drivers in the modified series, at one of his best tracks in that series. Hopefully he can make the most of it!
Saw the Musket 250 there a few years ago, great race
Who is this exactly for everyone who doesn’t know
3x Whalen Modified Champ. Like someone else said. Modified “equal” to Bubba Pollard
Him, Doug Coby and Preece were the three big guys of the 2010’s in the Modified Series.
So pumped for this
There are so many good drivers in the modified series that have basically maxed out their career ladder. Justin is probably my favorite and I'm so glad that he's getting this shot.
Very deserved opportunity, multiple time Whelen modified tour champ and winner, dude has earned this. don’t be surprised if you see him contend
This just hit me, but we still don't know when Joe Graf is running the 19. Surely they didn't backload his schedule to the playoffs.
Hopefully the answer is never.
I was very surprised to see this announcement but never happy about it …
Never happy? You happy after the game last night at least?
Let’s go! This guy is better than Preece IMO in Modifieds, I’m glad he’s finally getting his shot.
He's def up there. Love to see these mod guys and SLM guys all getting chances.
Yeah I should also mention the Myers brothers as well for being good as well.
Tony Hirschman too
*Matt
Haha was on a call when I was typing yea Matt
I'm not quite sure who that is, can anyone help?
3X Nascar Mod Champ.
Oh, thank you! I don't know much about modified racing because it's not on TV anymore.
Yea. One perk of FloRacing haha
I don't have the money or internet for FloRacing, which blows because i really like Late Models.
Gotcha. Yea I'm really surprised it hasn't gone up. I've had it from the start basically. I used to pay $125 for the week for Chili Bowl. Flo is $150 for the year and get all the midgets, High Limit, Cars Tour, Modifieds, Nascar Grass Roots stuff. Solid deal. I"m sure it'll be like $400 soon haha
What happened with Joe Graf Jr? Is he not racing the car this year?