Christopher Captures Modified Crown With Win At Thompson
THOMPSON, Conn. (Oct. 19, 2008) - As one of the most accomplished short-track racers in
NASCAR, Ted Christopher had nearly done it all. Christopher filled in the biggest
remaining gap in his resume Sunday at Thompson International Speedway when he wrapped up
his first NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour championship in grand style.
Christopher (No. 36 Al-Lee Installations Chevrolet) won the Xtra Mart World Series 150,
the final race of the season, to earn the title by 127 points over runner-up Matt
Hirschman. Hirschman (No. 59 Furnace & Duct Supply Chevrolet) finished 25th on Sunday.
"I've really got to thank Eddie Whelan for giving me this ride a couple years ago and
Brad Lafontaine, my crew chief. We won a couple championships here together when I drove
for him back in the SK Modified days. Everybody in this whole team, we've really got a
great group of guys," said the 50-year-old Christopher, from Plainville, Conn.
"Brad said the best thing would be to win the race and the championship and be the
only car up here in Victory Lane."
Christopher's title was virtually wrapped up when Hirschman suddenly slowed on lap 118
after battling for third place. Hischman came down pit road five laps later, while
Christopher was running in the top five on the track. Hirschman's crew pushed the car
behind the wall a short time later, effectively allowing Christopher to clinch his
championship. Christopher passed Ronnie Silk on lap 135 for the lead following a late-race
restart and cruised to the win and the title.
Chuck Hossfeld, Ronnie Silk, Doug Coby and rookie Erick Rudolph rounded out the top five.
"It was pretty nerve-racking," Christopher said, "but I want to thank all
of my competitors. Everybody ran me really clean knowing what me and Matty (Hirschman) had
on the line."
Christopher started fifth in the World Series, two spots in front of Hirschman and leading
by 35 points. Both pitted, along with most of the leaders, on lap 69. Hirschman came out
10th and Christopher 12th. The two made contact on the front stretch on the lap 71 restart
when the outside lane was slow coming up to speed, but both were able to maintain control
and continue without incident.
"Its more relief than anything," Christopher said. "Everyone says you've
won all this stuff in your career and you've never won the Tour championship."
Christopher made his NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour debut in 1988 when he ran three races. He
had finished in the top six in points in each of the last eight seasons. Twice he was
runner-up - in 2002 by 50 points to Mike Stefanik and in 2005 by 18 points to Matt
Hirschman's father, Tony Hirschman Jr. In the latter, Christopher entered the final race
of the season in a similar situation as Sunday. He led Tony Hirschman by 36 points and
needed a finish of seventh or better to clinch. An early wreck at the World Series,
however, relegated him to 30th and cost him the title.
Christopher won the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series championship in 2001 running in the
Sunoco Modified division on a weekly basis at Thompson. He has 31 career NASCAR Whelen
Modified Tour wins, including four this year. He is the winningest driver in all divisions
at Stafford (Conn.) Motor Speedway, and has made starts in all three of NASCAR's national
series, as well as the NASCAR Camping World Series and the Grand-Am Rolex 24 at Daytona.
As the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour champion, Christopher earned a secure spot in the
NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown. The Showdown, contested in NASCAR Camping World Series
cars, will be Jan. 23-24, 2009 at Toyota Speedway at Irwindale (Calif.).
Christopher had led Hirschman by has many as 99 points following his win at New Hampshire
Motor Speedway Sept. 13. But Hirschman had whittled down the lead by finishing better than
Christopher in three consecutive races leading up to the World Series.
Matt Hirschman was the crew chief on his father's championship teams in 2004 and '05. His
best points finish as a driver was third place last season. He was 11th in points in his
first full season as a driver in 2006.
Christopher's championship capped a season-long celebration by NASCAR and series sponsor
Whelen Engineering of the 60 Years of Modified Champions. Prior to the race, three-time
Modified champion Bugs Stevens was honored, along with the late Fred DeSarro and Bill
Widenhouse. Christopher's official coronation will come Saturday, Dec. 13 in the NASCAR
Whelen Modified Tour Awards Banquet at the Mohegan Sun Resort in Uncasville, Conn.
