MARTINSVILLE, Va. — Justin Bonsignore took home the Martinsville Speedway clock, but it was Austin Beers’ time to shine as the 22-year-old became the youngest champion in NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour series history.
Beers bested current NASCAR Cup Series driver and 2013 Whelen Modified Tour champion Ryan Preece in the record books for the youngest titleholder.
It was only fitting that the 40th anniversary season of the modern NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour came down to a dramatic battle on the famed half-mile track between the seasoned veteran and four-time Tour champion Bonsignore, and the young up-and-coming Beers.
While Beers may be the youngest champion in Tour history, the significance of joining the impressive list of names who have won the title isn’t lost on him.
“It’s pretty insane to think about,” Beers said post-race. “Growing up going to these modified races with my dad [Eric Beers] when he was running the Tour, and just dreaming of running on the Tour. And now being the champion with all those guys, like Mike [Stefanik] and Justin [Bonsignore]. Justin, I have a lot of respect for. Mike, I pride myself in being like Mike a little bit. Living legends that are champions of this division. I didn’t think I would even have the opportunity to run on the Whelen Modified Tour seven years ago, so to be a champion in this division is just unbelievable.”
Beers held the points lead through the majority of races this season and came into the season finale at Martinsville leading Bonsignore by 14 points as he pursued his first Tour title. He simply needed to finish eighth or better – no matter what Bonsignore did tonight – to capture the crown.
But it wasn’t going to be as simple as Beers hoped. Bonsignore came ready to capture every possible point he could to close the gap – earning points for being the fastest qualifier, leading a lap, and leading the most laps (121), in addition to winning the race.
Beers relied on what brought him to the championship – consistency. He led four laps after a restart with 76 laps to go, but settled back into fourth place and held his spot there.
With Beers settled into the top five, and Bonsignore in the lead, Patrick Emerling came to a stop between turns three and four, bringing out the caution with three laps to go in the race – and in the championship battle.
Bonsignore restarted from the lead on the inside row with Beers right behind him. The pair, who have exhibited tremendous mutual respect throughout the championship battle, had a clean restart. And while Bonsignore pulled away for the win, Beers’ second-place finish was all he needed to hold onto his championship lead by eight points to win his first Whelen Modified Tour title.
Bonsignore had nothing but praise for Beers and Mike Murphy, the owner of Beers’ No. 64 entry.
“I hate that he beat me to do it,” Bonsignore joked in reference to Beers winning the championship. “He’s a great young man, and I don’t know how, we just hit it off. We became really good friends at the track and I kinda would try to give him advice and take him under my wing a little bit. Eric, his dad, was obviously a great Tour driver for a long time. And his mom, they’re just great people. I’m super happy for them and the Murphy family.
“I hate that I’m the guy that lost to him, but I’m super proud of him and their team.”
Stephen Kopcik was crowned the Sunoco Rookie of the Year after finishing sixth in points this season.
