GBIII Builds Momentum at Thompson in Whelen Mod Tour Opener
16th-Place Finish is Something to Build On for Driver and His New Team
Finishing 16th isn’t the type of finish that a Modified champion strives for, but 2009 NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour titlist George Brunnhoelzl, III wasn’t going to complain about finishing there in the 37-car field of the Icebreaker at Thompson International Speedway (CT) on Sunday. Brunnhoelzl is moving to the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour ranks this season with the #46 Berkley Auto Racing team, so he is realistic about their early results together as the team and driver learn to work together.
“It still has four wheels on it,” said Brunnhoelzl after the race. ”So that isn’t a bad day.
Brunnhoelzl has raced against many of the Tour regulars before, so learning their styles is not a challenge for him.
“Racing with them wasn’t a problem,” said Brunnhoelzl. “I didn’t have a problem with anybody, we just didn’t have the car right. So we’ll go back, do some homework and try to get it better.
“This was our first race together and as far as communication goes, everyone did a great job. We came in to pit a million times and they did awesome. Everyone on the crew works great and did an awesome job.”
Brunnhoelzl next race will be on Sunday, April 25th at Stafford Motor Speedway (CT) – a track that isn’t entirely new to him.
“I drove a Tour race there once,” said Brunnhoelzl. “I don’t even remember where he finished back then. That was back in ’99 or so. It was a long time ago. I’m looking forward to going back, it is a cool track so it should be a good time.”
