Doug Coby Gets Monkey Off His Back: Scores First Whelen Mod Victory Of 2017
Column By: MATTHEW WIERNASZ / RPW – SEEKONK, MA – Five drivers entered into Saturday night’s Seekonk 150 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour event were only 19 points behind. In a matter of a turn of events, Doug Coby came out on top with his first win of the 2017 season. R
yan Preece finished third and became the new point leader. Rowan Pennink had troubles in the beginning and pitted early as well as Justin Bonsignore. Pennink finished in 12th while Bonsignore rebounded and finish in sixth.
Matt Hirschman and Ryan Preece led the 25 car field to the green. Hirschman would lead as Doug Coby would be on the back bumper.
Over 60 laps into the event, Coby made contact with Hirschman. Hirschman went spinning collecting a bunch of cars including point leader Timmy Solomito. Solomito would not return and finished 22nd in the event. Coby led the rest of the way and would score his first win of 2017. He talked about the contact after the race
” We battled and had contact many laps before that and he kept slamming the door on me and its not like I got fed up. I just couldn’t get out of there. I would of gladly got out of there again. I am up to his tire and almost by his nerf bar. The gap closes so quick. You just can’t get out.” Coby Said
With Coby’s first win of the year it does help boost the confidence for him and his team as well as his sponsors.
” It helps us that we’re really strong everywhere we go and in the last four races you just look at who has been up front but we been in the top three and finishing in the top two now a lot and that makes up for the bad ones. Our team has always been confident they can win.’ Coby Said
Anthony Nocella stole the event on Saturday after starting outside the top 10 with his best finish of second place. Nocella worked his way through the field. This was the second race on the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour for Nocella.
” I had a lot of confidence coming in. I led a lot of laps. The experience kind of helps me out I think here to save the tires and keep the car going and just some of our notes off it even though its a different car. Just want to thank all my guys for working hard.” Nocella Said
Nocella is the point leader on the Valenti Modified Racing Series where he has four wins this season. His most recent win is at the Beech Ridge Motor Speedway in Maine.
Ryan Preece finished in third.
” You know this is the one track I thought was going to be a wild card for us. I really didn’t know what to expect. To come out with a third place finish definitely pretty happy.” Preece Said
The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour will be back in action on Saturday, September 2nd at Oswego Speedway. Preece will carry a two point lead over Doug Coby with Rowan Pennink trailing behind by three points and Timmy Solomito is behind by 11 points.
