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Record-breaking Win For Rudolph

WILLIAMSON, N.Y. – Erick Rudolph was just looking to finish a race. What he wound up with was a history-making victory. Rudolph’s first career NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour win Sunday in the Spencer Speedway 155 made him the youngest winner in tour history.

At 17 years, 6 months, 3 days, the Ransomville, N.Y., driver eclipsed the mark set by Ryan Preece last year. Preece was 17 years, 10 months, 25 days when he won at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway.

After failing to finish each of the first four races of the season, Rudolph led the final 48 laps Sunday and withstood a furious charge from Todd Szegedy on the final lap to claim the victory. On the last lap, Szegedy got by Chuck Hossfeld for second and had the nose of his car nearly up to Rudolph’s front tire as they crossed the finish line. The scheduled 125-lap event was extended to 131 by a green-white-checkered finish.

Hossfeld followed on Rudolph’s bumper for third. Rowan Pennink and Ryan Preece rounded out the top five.

Donny Lia, Mike Stefanik, Eric Goodale, Ron Silk and points leader Ted Christopher completed the top 10.

Earlier in the day, Szegedy and Christopher won the two 15-lap heat races that set the feature lineup. Rudolph, who was fastest in practice, finished 12th out of 14 cars in his heat.

Szegedy led a race-high 60 laps before being forced to pit for a flat tire on lap 80. He was able to cut Christopher’s point lead to 17.

The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour returns to the track Aug. 1 at Riverhead (N.Y.) Raceway.

UNOFFICIAL RESULTS | LAP-BY-LAP RECAP | AUDIO OF RACE WINNER ERICK RUDOLPH | AUDIO OF RACE WINNING CREW CHIEF/FATHER CHARLIE RUDOLPH | AUDIO OF RUNNER-UP TODD SZEGEDY | AUDIO OF THIRD-PLACE CHUCK HOSSFELD

Below, Erick Rudolph en route to his win Sunday. Ron Rixby