Latest news with #Modified
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Jake Johnson seeks validation in JMA Motorsports' home race at Seekonk Speedway
More than a year has passed since Jake Johnson brought Ole Blue back to Victory Lane on the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, a win that arrived at Monadnock Speedway in New Hampshire. A lot has changed for Johnson since that day, but his commitment to winning in Modifieds remains unwavering. Now part-time in the series with JMA Motorsports, Johnson is set to make his second Modified Tour appearance with the program in Saturday's J&R Precast 150 at Massachussets' Seekonk Speedway. Advertisement Johnson's first start with JMA earlier this season at Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park saw him qualify on the outside pole before he was eliminated in a wreck with nine laps to go. Despite the Thompson race ending in disappointment, Johnson said the cohesion he and JMA displayed that weekend has provided him plenty of optimism ahead of Saturday's race. 'We've had a pretty good year so far,' Johnson said. 'Everywhere we've shown up with my family car or the No. 07 car, we've had a lot of speed. I'm excited to get back in the No. 07, because [even though] Thompson was rough, we showed good speed. 'These guys are deserving of a good run, and I think we can put one together [at Seekonk].' Johnson was enjoying a career season on the Modified Tour last year before he sustained a hard crash in the second race at Thompson. After the wreck, Johnson parted ways with Boehler Racing Enterprises and did not return to the series for the rest of 2024. Jake Johnson driver of the #3 Propane Plus; Lin\ As Johnson was crafting a 2025 racing schedule with his family car, JMA co-owners Mike and Justin Albernaz reached out to him about competing in select Modified Tour events. Johnson jumped at the offer to race with JMA, which now assists his own program in other Modified events around the northeast. Advertisement The Albernaz family's involvement in motorsports extends far beyond Modified competition. Mike operated CJ Racing in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series from 1999-00, when he fielded entries for a variety of drivers like David Starr, Lonnie Rush Jr. and 2008 Modified Tour champion Ted Christopher. Mike's hands-on approach to racing was passed down to his grandson Justin, who also serves as the crew chief for the No. 07 Modified. The addition of Johnson to JMA's program has been invaluable for the younger Albernaz, who praised the determination his driver displays both on and off the track. '[Jake] is 100 percent focused on racing,' Albernaz said. 'His mind is in it, and he's not only worried about driving it, he's worried about getting the car right. He's very talented behind the wheel. He's aggressive at times, but that's what you need to get the job done sometimes.' RELATED: Career stats for Jake Johnson Advertisement One aspect of the partnership between Johnson and JMA involves the crews from both programs working on the same car. Combining resources made the duo stronger and reinforced the expectations Johnson and the Albernaz family have for the Modified Tour, which is to win a race together. Thompson showcased that Johnson and JMA could hold their own with the full-time Modified Tour operations across the board. The two sides are eager to shake off the late-race crash from Thompson and utilize their collective knowledge by putting together a complete weekend at Seekonk. Especially since this is a hometown affair for nearly everyone involved at JMA. 'Seekonk was probably the first one that got put on the list just because [JMA's] shop is about three minutes away,' Johnson said. 'Seekonk is about 10 minutes from my house, so it's a special place for us because it's our home turf. We always run good there, and [JMA] used to run good there when we did open racing at Seekonk. Advertisement 'It made a lot of sense for us to circle Seekonk.' Jake Johnson, driver of the number 07 Lin's Propane; Propane Plus; Platinum Fire Protection; Island International; Axis Wealth Partners modified, during the IceBreaker 150 for the Whelen Modified Tour at Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park on April 16, 2025 in Thompson, Connecticut. (Rob Branning/NASCAR) Countless trips to Seekonk over the years have provided Albernaz plenty of insight into all the fundamentals necessary to prevail. The facility only being 0.333 miles in length means laps will click of rapidly Saturday evening. That emphasizes the importance of obtaining solid track position in qualifying. Albernaz does not see qualifying being a problem for Johnson at Seekonk given how fast he was in the No. 07 at Thompson. The challenge for Albernaz will be designing a setup that responds well to Seekonk's unique characteristics and puts Johnson in the best position to upset the Modified Tour regulars. Advertisement '[Seekonk] is a very tough track to get around,' Albernaz said. 'It's very throttle-sensitive and this race is going to be all about saving tires. That's going to be the biggest talk in the garage probably for the entire race. With Jake's laps on the track and our expertise with how many races we've run there, I think we should be pretty good.' A Modified Tour win at his family's home track would be an emotional, cathartic moment for Albernaz. Mike enjoyed numerous Seekonk victories with drivers like Eddie St. Angelo, Vinny Annarummo and Mike Christopher Sr.; now Justin wants to add to his family's legacy at the track with JMA's first win. Johnson is focused on not only helping JMA secure a Seekonk checkered flag, but also on validating his talent to the rest of the Modified Tour field. Prevailing at Monadnock in Ole Blue last year was a milestone moment, but Johnson knows he can accomplish so much more. 'I don't want to be known as the guy who just won one [Modified Tour] race as a fluke,' Johnson said. 'If I could go win two or three Tour races, I think it would solidify that [Monadnock] wasn't luck. The No. 07 is overdue for a win. They've been super strong everywhere they go, so I'd like to do that for them, as well.' With their chemistry continuing to grow every week, Johnson and JMA are ready to make a statement in their second Modified Tour race together this weekend by earning a victory in front of their hometown crowd.
NBC Sports
18-05-2025
- Automotive
- NBC Sports
Ryan Preece upset about All-Star Open penalty on restart commitment box: 'You can't see it'
Ryan Preece was angry after his shot at making the All-Star Race was by a costly penalty in the All-Star Open. His No. 60 Ford was running second before a restart with 17 laps remaining but was sent to the rear for rolling over the restart commitment box. Drivers must commit to choosing the inside or outside lane before reaching the restart commitment box, but Preece said it was difficult to see the zone. Nate Ryan, 'It's really nonexistent from inside the car,' the Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing driver told FS1's Regan Smith. 'You can't see it. So I just hooked a hard left going acoss the line, figuring it's in that area. I'm frustrated because if you have a situation like that, put a cone out there so we can see it.' Preece had gained seven positions since a four-tire pit stop during the halfway caution, putting him in good position to race All-Star Open winner Caron Hocevar, who had taken the lead on a two-tire stop. 'Our Ford Mustang was super fast, could run in the way top, get around guys and I think we were the only one that was making some waves. Frusrated, man. We were in position here. Heartbreaking to have a heartbreaking run like that taken away by someone in the (NASCAR scoring) tower.' After the Open ended, NASCAR officials had track workers immediately repaint the commitment box, whose colors seemed to fade during the Modified race earlier Sunday.
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Ron Silk survives pit road mishap for eighth career Thompson Modified Tour victory
THOMPSON, Conn. — A dominant performance from Ron Silk in Wednesday's NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Icebreaker 150 at Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park was nearly derailed during the final pit stop sequence of the evening. While attempting to exit pit road, Silk made contact with his long-time NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour rival Justin Bonsignore and spun. The contact resulted in damage to the front of Bonsignore's Modified while Silk continued without losing any track position. Silk was unfazed by the pit road incident as he quickly worked his way around Patrick Emerling during the closing laps to reclaim the lead. With Emerling successfully playing defense against the rest of the pack, Silk cruised to his 27th career NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour win and his eighth overall at Thompson. Advertisement 'I was pretty confident if I got a good restart and got to the lead, I would be able to hold them off,' Silk said. 'My car drove great. The first 40 laps or so we were a little bit free, but we fixed that on the pit stop. The car was just spot-on after that.' RELATED: Complete results from the Icebreaker 150 Thompson has always been a significant track in Silk's career on the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, as his first three triumphs in the series came at the facility. Joining Haydt Yannone Racing in 2022 proved to be a catalyst in Silk recapturing the efficiency he enjoyed at Thompson. Aside from his first campaign with Haydt Yannone, Silk has now won at least one race at Thompson each year piloting the silver No. 16. Advertisement Finding his way to Victory Lane on Saturday evening required Silk and crew chief Phil Moran to be sharp with pit strategy. An early caution provided Silk and Moran the opportunity they needed to shift momentum in their favor, as Silk utilized fresh tires and adjustments to charge towards the front of the field. Silk was untouched at the front of the pack until a spin by Craig Lutz with 27 laps remaining brought most of the field back into the pits. Once Silk shook off the contact from Bonsignore, he had to quickly dispatch both Emerling and Jake Johnson to regain the lead. He comfortably did just that. Ron Silk Emerling, who was piloting a Geoff Bodine tribute scheme, endured an eventful evening of his own. After losing control of his Modified on Lap 64, problems in the pit lane for Emerling resulted in him falling a lap behind the leaders, which he quickly regained on an ensuing yellow flag. Advertisement Going off-sequence from the leaders enabled Emerling to salvage a runner-up finish. Emerling was pleasantly surprised by the outcome, one that could prove to be beneficial in his quest for a NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour title. 'That was an absolutely insane run by the team,' Emerling said. 'We got stuck a lap down, but luckily there was quick caution there. We got our lap back and we passed a ton of cars. Our car was feeling good on those old tires, but that was an insane run.' Following Silk and Emerling home in the third was Trevor Catalano, with Austin Beers and Bonsignore completing the top five. The rest of the top 10 consisted of Chase Dowling, Stephen Kopcik, polesitter Jon McKennedy, Tommy Catalano and Matt Swanson. The next event on the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour schedule is the Cheshire County Clash 200 at Monadnock Speedway on May 3, which also marks the start of the Whelen Short Track Cup. FloRacing will have coverage of the on-track action starting at 6 p.m. ET.
Yahoo
08-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Combining Classic Car Heritage With Modern Automotive Engineering
For decades, classic cars have been the automotive equivalent of the high school crush you never quite got over. At the time they're beautiful, interesting, intoxicating—but when you meet again at the 20-year reunion, you realize they probably would have come with baggage. The butterfly-in-the-stomach feeling is still there, but a few minutes of conversation and reality sets in: high maintenance, complex relationship history, and ultimately more trouble than expected. Owning a classic car is often fraught with frustration, since vintage aesthetics often clash with the reality of 50-year-old technology. And whether the auto is an original survivor or a bespoke build, uncertainties in cost, renovation timeline, and drivability have been the price of admission. Until now. More from Robb Report Maison Perrier-Jouët and Royal Salute Whisky Debut Two of Their Rarest Expressions at the St. Moritz Snow Polo World Cup The Dubai International Boat Show Leisure Yachting Conference 2025 Showcases the Global Luxury Yachting Lifestyle At House of Robb Miami, Delta Air Lines Invites Guests to See, Wear, and Drink Contemporary Art To understand just how revolutionary this shift is, let's examine the four primary categories of classic cars. The OriginalAn unrestored classic is a relic. If it runs, it handles like one. Charming? Sure. Reliable? Not in the slightest. Owning an untouched classic means embracing the unpredictability of a half-century-old machine that wasn't designed for today's roads, drivers, fuel, or repair shops. With an original, you inherit the full experience of classic car ownership—from the thrill of nostalgia to a full-time job of maintenance. Parts are rare, repairs are costly, and there's no certainty that the car will even start, let alone be comfortable or enjoyable to drive. Buying an original may be an emotional purchase, but it often requires the patience (and a garage) only a dedicated collector can maintain. The Original RestoredA properly restored original will turn heads, but under the hood, it's still running on technology from the '60s and '70s. That means dealing with finicky carburetors, stiff manual steering, unreliable drum brakes, and a minimalist interior. Moreover, the process of restoring an original is an odyssey of unknowns. Every classic ages differently, meaning the full scope of restoration isn't clear until the project is well underway. It's not uncommon for these restorations to take up to a decade, as builders hunt for rare parts and painstakingly reconstruct the vehicle. And at the end of it all, you still don't know exactly how it will drive. For many, this path becomes a lesson in sunk costs and endless waiting. Some restorations stall out entirely, leaving owners with an unfinished project and a garage full of regrets. The Restomod (Restored Modified)Restored Modified vehicles often look incredible, but because there are no industrywide standards, their mechanical integrity is anyone's guess. A mix of original, repaired, and aftermarket parts creates a vehicle with no manual, no clear path for maintenance, and a lifetime subscription to 'guess what broke this time.' These builds might be comfortable at first, but when something inevitably fails, there's no guarantee a modern shop will be able to diagnose—let alone fix—the problem. Worse yet, the amount of work that goes into transforming an original classic into a restored modified classic usually takes years. This is due to the bodywork, interior work, and intense customization required to retrofit a new drivetrain under an old body. Completion dates are constantly being pushed back, while guesstimated budgets can quickly balloon out of control. The Velocity Re-Engineered ClassicVelocity Restorations takes a different approach, one that doesn't just solve the problems of vintage car ownership but reinterprets what luxury means in the American automotive landscape. Unlike the one-off guesswork of other restorations, Velocity's re-engineered classics start with carefully selected donor vehicles that meet strict degradation standards. Each vehicle is then fully restored and re-engineered from the ground up to integrate all-new, industry-standard modern mechanicals, creating the closest thing to a factory-level restoration while maintaining the soul of the classic. Every build follows a precise, assembly-line-style process, ensuring quality control, consistency, and a fixed price—with no surprises and no open-ended labor costs. Even more importantly, because Velocity vehicles are designed to work with modern mechanical systems, they can be serviced by any qualified technician. No specialty shops. No months-long parts hunts. No wondering whether or not your car will start today. Just get in and drive! Unlike the open-ended timelines of other restorations, the path to ownership of a Velocity re-engineered classic is simple, transparent, and built for immediate enjoyment. For those who refuse to wait, units are available for immediate purchase straight from the showroom floor. For those seeking a more personalized touch, build slots offer a fully customized experience—without the years-long waiting game. A Velocity build is completed in 14 weeks, with weekly updates. And Velocity's re-engineered classics come with a two-year warranty, with extended options available. The uncertainty of traditional classic car ownership is gone. Old-School Style, New-School Engineering In the last 40 years, driving has changed. We've grown accustomed to power steering, responsive braking, and the effortless glide of a modern suspension. We've forgotten the arm-over-arm wrestling match required to turn a wheel without assistance, forgotten how hard it is to start a non-fuel-injected engine on a hot or cold day, and forgotten that 'rolling down the window' used to involve actual effort. We've traded mechanical engagement for seamless convenience—and we're not going back. Velocity Restorations preserves the feeling of the classic car while discreetly integrating the luxuries we refuse to live without: power steering, smooth braking, effortless acceleration, and climate-controlled interiors that look like they were pulled straight from the factory floor in a bygone era. The Future of Luxury Is AmericanFor decades, automotive status symbols have been dictated by a European vision of luxury: low-slung exotics that demand pristine roads and attract as much attention as possible. But Velocity builds aren't delicate collectibles or temperamental garage queens. They're designed to be driven, whether on backroads, highways, or the potholed streets of America's busiest cities. And in a culture that values stealth wealth over ostentation, Velocity's re-engineered classics have become the ultimate power symbol. From a distance, a Velocity vehicle might look like an original—a beautifully preserved relic of a golden era. But in fact, it's something far more valuable: a machine built for today, a statement of status that doesn't need to scream for attention like a modern supercar nor require the constant attention of an original classic. The future belongs to vehicles that combine heritage with usability and exclusivity with capability. And in that future, Velocity will lead the way. LEARN MORE Click here to read the full article.
Yahoo
15-02-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Jack Baldwin embracing new challenge of World Series of Asphalts Modified class
NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. — For as ubiquitous as the Baldwin name is to Modified competition in the Northeast, the family has also developed a reputation for success at New Smyrna Speedway in Florida. That tradition started in the 1980s with the family patriarch, Tom Baldwin, who tallied four Modified championships during the World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing during his storied career. Baldwin's grandsons Luke and Jack have since carried on the family's winning ways at New Smyrna with titles in the 602 Modified class in 2023 and 2024, respectively. Jack, the eldest of the two Baldwin brothers, is taking the next step in his development by jumping into the World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing's Modified division one year after his 602 Modified championship. Given his family's past New Smyrna success, running a Modified at the track brings both apprehension and excitement for Jack. 'I love seeing my family succeed and learning about the legacy my grandpa left,' Jack said. 'There's also a lot of added pressure because my grandpa was so good and Luke is succeeding so much. I don't race as much as they do. We know they cars are good, so I've got to perform.' RELATED: Watch the World Series of Asphalt on FloRacing Since beginning his own career, Jack has sought to emulate the resilience and efficiency displayed by Tom and his father Tommy Baldwin Jr., bringing the family's iconic No. 7NY with him nearly every step of the way. Those qualities are prevalent each time Jack straps into his car. Jack has quickly started adding to the No. 7NY's storied legacy with several accolades in Crate Modifieds, including a consistent campaign that yielded him the 602 Modified title in last year's World Series of Asphalt. Jack adheres to all the fundamentals instilled into him by his father, particularly when it comes to patience and taking care of the car. This methodical approach has translated into consistency for Jack even though a good portion of his time is devoted to furthering his college education. Because of school, Jack initially viewed racing as a devoted hobby, all while Luke established himself as a touted NASCAR prospect. Despite being four years younger than Jack, Luke already has a handful of Pro Late Model starts on his resume and will run a part-time schedule on the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour with his father's team. Now fully committed to motorsports, Jack wants to keep tallying victories so he can embark on a similar developmental trajectory to his younger brother. 'Luke's been getting a lot of opportunities,' Jack said. 'He's young, very marketable and a very fast driver. He's been working trying to move up through the ranks at home while I'm still going to Appalachian State University. He's capitalized on the opportunities, but here [at New Smyrna] last year was when I decided I wanted to be all in on this.' Jack's schedule for 2025 includes a full-time commitment to Modifieds in the Southeast with Tommy Baldwin Racing. One car that will obstruct his path towards claiming a championship is another 7NY, piloted by Luke under the Sadler-Stanley Racing banner. The two brothers got a preview of their year-long battle during the World Series of Asphalt on Tuesday by taking part in the evening's Modified feature. Luke utilized his knowledge from Saturday's NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour race to claim a solid fourth-place run, while Jack settled for 13th. With Tommy Jr. shifting his focus over to his general manager duties for Rick Ware Racing ahead of the Daytona 500, Luke is now serving as Jack's crew chief to close out the World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing. Luke is familiar with the intricacies of being a crew chief, having worked with Tommy Jr. in the shop and listened to his experiences during his time in the NASCAR Cup Series. Despite this, Luke has worked closely with Tommy Jr. leading up to the World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing so he knows how to make the right adjustments and exchange feedback with Jack in race conditions. Being on top of Jack's pit box is a refreshing change of pace for Luke. He enjoys rubbing fenders with Jack every time they share the track, but he also wants to put his brother in the best possible position to excel over the rest of the week. 'It's always fun when we're having a family ordeal,' Luke said. 'Racing with [Jack] is a blast. We've gotten into it a couple of times, but that's part of it. There's a lot of talking off the track and there's a lot of competitiveness between us. We're probably the two most competitive brothers you'll see in racing. 'To get away from that, work together and chase a championship at New Smyrna is special.' Although Luke previously served as Jack's crew chief in Crate Modifieds for two races, he has never experienced this much free reign in the role. Tommy Jr. is still a resource for Luke to rely on just a few miles away, but he intends to stick with a basic set of adjustments he knows will optimize the performance of Jack's car. Luke also anticipates a brief learning curve for his Jack as he ascertains the difference between a regular Modified and the 602 Modifieds. Once his older brother finds his comfort zone in the Modified, whether that is at New Smyrna or afterwards, Luke is confident Jack will start contending for victories on the regular. Outside of the cars, another difference Jack is adjusting to is the elite caliber of drivers in the Modified division, which consists of names like Matt Hirschman, Patrick Emerling and Austin Beers. Jack knew it would be challenging to hold his own with the established veterans, but felt confident a strong car could help him make gradual progress. 'The difference in competition is massive,' Jack said. 'There's better drivers and there's more depth in the field. At this point in racing, if you got your car dialed in, you can compete with any of them. The [regular] Modified is not that much different [from the 602 Modified]. When you get used to them, you drive them the same way except with more grip and more motor.' Despite Jack's optimism, he and Luke have struggled to find an ideal balance since first unloading. The car the Baldwins brought only previously competed at flat tracks like Riverhead Raceway and Wall Stadium, which has required them to devise a setup that can navigate New Smyrna's fast, high-banked layout. Qualifying remains a prevailing issue for Jack, but he is seeing significant progress with the race setup. After finishing where he started on Monday evening in the 20th position, Jack is more comfortable with passing other cars, though his best showing remains the 13th from Tuesday. Now that their father is at Daytona, responsibility falls primarily on Luke to ensure Jack's car keeps trending in the right direction. Only a couple of days remain for the Modifieds at New Smyrna, but Luke is keeping his strategy with the setups simple 'Don't over adjust,' Luke said. 'Obviously, [Tommy Jr.] is going to bring a really good car to the race track, and I'm not exactly a mastermind. I haven't been at this for very long, so there's no big adjustment I plan on throwing in there. Sticking to the script will give me some options, and I'll choose between them.' The slow start for Jack prevented him from extending the Baldwin championship streak in the World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing to three years, but he is not letting the circumstances deter him. Jack is adopting a big picture mindset to close out the World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing, but he is still determined to leave New Smyrna with at least one additional trophy. 'I'd like to keep the car clean and in one piece,' Jack said. 'This is the car I'm racing the whole year, so I don't want to tear it up. The goal is to get this thing dialed in and where we want it to be heading into the season. If we run good because of it, then we run good. 'A ton of people have roped me because of how successful Luke has been, so I'm really looking to surprise people this week.' The Baldwin family's refusal to back down from adversity is one reason why their name is synonymous with short track racing in the U.S. today. That trait is prevalent with Jack, who is primed to continue his family's winning heritage alongside Luke well beyond New Smyrna.
