Preece Swoops In For $10,000 Thompson Mod Prize

THOMPSON, Conn. — Ryan Preece headlined the 60th Sunoco World Series presented by Budweiser, earning the victory in the Outlaw Open Modified Series at Thompson Speedway.

The $10,000-to-win spectacle began with Craig Lutz and Eric Goodale at the lead before Keith Rocco shot himself into the lead by lap three in turn three.

Just as fast, Preece made it seem like child’s play as he joined the top-five in just ten laps. Just to add in a little more drama, Friday night Modified Racing Series winner Ronnie Williams entered the early mix at the front as the field spread further apart. For what seemed like eternity Rocco and Williams exchanged the lead in and out of each corner with a dangerous foe making the most of it.

Woody Pitkat grew ever closer to the front in each corner. ‘The Sultan of Stafford’ finally drove into the lead using a cluster of lap traffic and set off like a rocket until lap 82, with the first caution of the event for a frontstretch spinner.

The entire field came down pit road during the caution period with adjustments and tires going on nearly every one of them before Pitkat, Mike Christopher Jr. and Preece won the race off pit road.

Pitkat also got the jump on Christopher Jr. under the green flag as Keith Rocco went backwards fast. Two more cautions would stack up the field allowing multiple showdowns between Preece and Pitkat.

Ultimately, Preece would get it done. Pitkat would take a hard earned second-place followed by Matt Swanson in the second Gary Casella ride.

With a fifth place finish in the Mini Stocks feature, Kevin Moore would clinch the track championship. Dave Trudeau would take down his second win of the season followed by Jarred Roy and John Bavolacco.

The American-Canadian Tour feature went to Tom Carey III, who dominated the event. 

Matt Swanson would take down his first Supermodified win in only his second start in the New England Supermodified Series. 

The Weston’s Automotive Triple Crown Series for the Sunoco Modifieds was won by Christopher Jr.

The New England Pro-4 Modifieds winner would be Brett Merservey.