PIT BOX: Whelen Modified Tour title fight enters penultimate round at Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park

The battle for the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour championship between Justin Bonsignore and Ron Silk has reached its crescendo as the series returns to Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park this Sunday afternoon for the running of the World Series 150 presented by FloSports.com (4 p.m. ET on FloRacing).

The 152nd race in Whelen Modified Tour history at the 0.625-mile oval will pit the two championship contenders against each other in a game of oneupmanship as each man looks to gain an advantage ahead of the season finale at Martinsville Speedway on Oct. 26.

Bonsignore is the most recent victor at Thompson after winning the Thompson 150 in August, which marked his 13th career Thompson victory in 42 starts at the track. He is tied with Ted Christopher for second on the all-time Whelen Modified Tour win list at Thompson, with Mike Stefanik sitting at the top of the record books with 15 Thompson Whelen Modified Tour wins.

Silk is no slouch either, having won five times at Thompson in 58 starts. His last victory at Thompson came in 2020. He also scored one victory at Thompson in 2012, two in 2008 and one in 2007.

Tickets to Sunday’s World Series 150 presented by FloSports.com are available trackside. Below is everything you need to know about the 17th race of the 2023 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour season.

World Series 150 presented by FloSports.com at Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park

What to watch for:

For years, Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park hosted the final race of the season for the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour. While that may not still be the case, Thompson is set to play a huge part in the crowning of the 2023 series champion.

With just two points separating points leader Justin Bonsignore from his title rival Ron Silk, every position will matter as both men look to gain some sort of upper hand. With 17 victories at Thompson split between them, either driver could emerge as a winner Sunday and take one step closer to the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour championship.

While the focus is on Bonsignore and Silk going into Sunday’s race, there are plenty of other drivers who will be looking to earn a trip to Victory Lane at one of the Modified Tour’s most storied facilities.

They include two-time Thompson winner Craig Lutz, who would love to give his team owner Danny Watts Jr. a going away present as Watts prepares to retire as a NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour car owner at the conclusion of the season. Woody Pitkat will make his final start of the year aboard the No. 6 for another retiring car owner, Stan Mertz.

MORE THOMPSON: Watch live Sunday on FloRacing

Austin Beers has been fast everywhere this season and will be looking for his third victory of the season in the No. 64 KLM Motorsports entry. Ronnie Williams, who sat on the pole for this race one year ago, returns aboard the No. 50 entry. Eric Goodale, the defending race winner, is also scheduled to compete in the No. 58.

Kyle Bonsignore will pursue his second victory of 2023 on Sunday while Bobby Santos III will look to improve upon his ninth-place finish at North Wilkesboro Speedway last weekend.

Other notable entries include Sam Rameau, Dave Sapienza, Anthony Sesely, Matt Swanson and Anthony Nocella, among others.

The complete entry list for Sunday’s World Series 150 presented by FloSports.com is available here.

RACE FACTS

Schedule: Saturday, Oct. 7 … Practice from 1 to 2:15 p.m. ET … Qualifying at 4 p.m. ET … Sunday, Oct. 8 … World Series 150 presented by FloSports.com at 4 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 has 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 World Series 150 presented by FloSports.com is limited to 30 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 the 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 three (3) tires, any position.