LANCASTER, N.Y. — The only two drivers to win a NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour race at Lancaster Motorplex fittingly placed first and second in Saturday’s Nu-Way Auto Parts 150.
Austin Beers was the one who prevailed, utilizing strategy during a caution-filled race to gain valuable track position and hold off Patrick Emerling to secure the victory.
Not only did Beers defend his triumph at Lancaster from 2023, he also secured his first victory of the 2024 season.
Although relieved to break a yearlong winless drought, the first thought on Beers’ mind in victory lane was Evan Canfield, a motorsports photographer who passed away earlier in the week. Beers dedicated his victory to Canfield.
“This one is for the Canfield family,” Beers said. “Evan Canfield was a great guy and we lost him two days ago. He was just an amazing person and I loved seeing him at the race track. I’m glad to get another victory. It’s been a struggle this year. I’ve been kind of distraught myself, but I’m real happy with how the night went.”
The past year and a half on the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour has seen Beers blossom into one of the brightest young stars in the series.
Fresh off a two win season last year, Beers has come close to replicating his numbers from 2023. Along with earning a pole at Monadnock Speedway in July, Beers also tallied three consecutive runner-up finishes in May and June, yet had been unable to obtain another victory despite his speed.
Finally returning to Victory Lane required patience from Beers.
Beers managed to take the lead from Hirschman immediately after the restart but would have to enter pit road during the next caution flag.
A couple more cautions shifted the strategy back in Beers’ favor after he inherited the top spot when Justin Bonsignore and others came to pit road for tires and adjustments.
A surging Bonsignore was not Beers’ most paramount concern during the closing laps. Emerling, who was on the same strategy, tried vigorously to find a pathway to the lead, which involved fending off Bonsignore after being briefly passed by him.
Emerling’s determination did not yield him an overdue first victory driving for team owner Rich Gautreau. Having a Lancaster NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour win on his resume gave Emerling confidence, but he commended Beers for driving efficiently enough to keep him in his rearview mirror.
“[Beers] was rotating a little bit better,” Emerling said. “There were a couple of little mistakes we could almost capitalize on, but the whole Fleetworks team did an excellent job today. This was our first time here as a team and we were second-best. We’ve been having opportunities to win week-in and week-out lately.”
Justin Bonsignore trimmed the margin between himself and Ron Silk in the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour point standings to a single point with a third-place finish.
Following him in the top five were Hirschman and Tommy Catalano.
The finish:
Austin Beers, Patrick Emerling, Justin Bonsignore, Matt Hirschman, Tommy Catalano, Craig Lutz, Andy Jankowiak, Jacob Lutz, Jake Johnson, Ron Silk, Tim Connolly, Ken Heagy, Trevor Catalano, Andrew Spurback, Melissa Fifield, Kyle Bonsignore, Tyler Rypkema, Bob Reis, Tyler Catalano.