PIT BOX: Second half of NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour season begins at Lancaster Motorplex

The next track up for the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour is one of the more unique facilities on the schedule, Lancaster Motorplex.

Since opening in 1959, Lancaster has served as a multi-purpose racing facility for several different motorsports disciplines. Along with hosting a vibrant weekly series platform, Lancaster also has a functional dragway that encompasses the frontstretch on the .625-mile oval.

Modified Tour competitors will utilize every aspect of Lancaster‘s surface as they look to build crucial momentum over the second half of 2024. With only two previous events to lean on for guidance, Lancaster presents several unknowns for experienced and new competitors alike.

Despite this, plenty of drivers entered in Saturday‘s Nu-Way Auto Parts 150 have logged copious track time at Lancaster in other divisions. Knowledge and patience will be invaluable for competitors if they wish to depart Lancaster with a checkered flag in hand.

Tickets to the Nu-Way Auto Parts 150 can be purchased here. Below is everything to know for the ninth race of the 2024 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour season.

Nu-Way Auto Parts 250 at Lancaster Motorplex

What to watch for:

Both previous Modified Tour winners at Lancaster Motorplex are on the entry list for Saturday‘s Nu-Way Auto Parts 150.

The most recent of the two, Austin Beers, is still searching for his first victory of 2024 following an impressive sophomore campaign that saw him acquire two checkered flags. Beers has displayed plenty of speed with a pole in his last race at Monadnock Speedway and three consecutive second-place runs earlier in the year.

Veteran Patrick Emerling claimed the inaugural NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour event at Lancaster in 2021. Emerling is enjoying a solid debut season in the No. 1 Fleetworks Inc Modified owned by Rich Gautreau, but he enters the Nu-Way Auto Parts 150 seeking to deliver his first victory in almost three years.

Trevor Catalano is determined to become the third different Lancaster Modified Tour winner following his breakthrough victory at Monadnock Speedway two weeks ago. Catalano looks to parlay that triumph into another stellar streak of races after he opened his rookie year with two consecutive top fives.

Everyone in the field will have to contest with both Ron Silk and Justin Bonsignore, who currently find themselves in a heated battle for the Modified Tour championship. Bonsignore holds an advantage over Silk at Lancaster with two top fives, but Silk maintains a narrow eight-point lead with eight races remaining.

Ken Heagy is set to make his 200^th Modified Tour appearance this weekend. Joining him on the entry list are Matt Hirschman, Andy Jankowiak, Jake Lutz, Tyler Rypkema and Tim Connolly, among others.

The complete entry list for the Nu-Way Auto Parts 250 will be released later this week.

RACE FACTS:

Schedule: Saturday, August 3 … Final practice from 4:15 to 5 p.m. ET … Qualifying at 6:45 p.m. ET … Nu-Way Auto Parts 150 at 8 p.m. ET (FloRacing).

Qualifying: Two consecutive qualifying laps. Faster lap determines qualifying position. Adjustments or repairs may not be made on the vehicle after the vehicle as taken the green flag at the start/finish line. NASCAR reserves the right to have more than one vehicle engage in qualifying runs at the same time. Starting field for the Nu-Way Auto parts 150 is limited to 26 starters including Provisional Positions. 

Tire allotment: The maximum tire allotment available for this event is eleven (11) tires per team. All tires used for qualifying and race must be purchased at the track and scanned by Hoosier, unless otherwise approved in advance by the Series Director. Four (4) tires must be used for qualifying and to begin the race. All qualifying tires must remain in impound until released by NASCAR Officials. The remaining tire allotment may be used for practice and/or change tires during the event. The tire change rule is two (2) tires per caution.