7/24/2017
NSTA Top Speed Modified Tour
Nester Nabs Toledo Glory
TOLEDO, Ohio – Former NSTA Top Speed Modified Tour Champion Brian Nester was a man on a mission Friday night in the Glass City 50 at Toledo Speedway. Running a limited campaign with the Tour this season, Nester has been searching for an elusive first win in 2017.
The NSTA Modified Tour’s only visit to the Buckeye state this season proved to be exactly what Nester needed to find victory lane. It didn’t appear anything would come easy as Nester would have to drive from an 11th place start, deep in the field, to reach the front of the pack.
A stout field of traveling stars were led to the green flag by Port Austin, Michigan’s Mark Bott. Sean McPherson continued his hot streak, powering his way into a commanding lead early in the race. McPherson had more than a straightaway advantage over the field and looked poised to claim his first ever NSTA Modified Tour victory. A caution on lap 11 would change everything for McPherson.
Trouble on the restart would allow Hamilton, Indiana driver Tim Burkett to snatch the lead away from McPherson and pull his teammate Nester along with him. It took Nester almost no time to find his way up to the front. He took the lead for good from Burkett on lap 13 and pulled away from the field.
The only remaining obstacle between Nester and victory lane appeared to be fast qualifier Travis Eddy who was clawing his way towards the front from his own 12th place starting spot.
Eddy, the winner of the two most recent events at Kalamazoo and Birch Run, was focused on driving to his third straight victory. With less than 10 laps to go, Eddy took second place away from Burkett, and did everything in his power to close the gap to Nester, but it was too little too late. Eddy and Burkett settled for second and third on the podium. Danny Jackson had a strong run to come home in fourth, with McPherson recovering to capture another impressive top five finish.
Two heat races earlier in the evening saw Tim Burkett and Bob Sibila Jr. picking up victories. Travis Eddy was fastest in qualifying with a lap of 16.547 (108.718 mph).
The NSTA Top Speed Modified Tour moves on to their third state in as many weeks, with the second and final appearance of the season at the high-banked quarter-mile Anderson Speedway in Anderson, Indiana on Saturday, July 29. The drivers put on a memorable show at the legendary facility back in April and a return appearance on the schedule will have serious implications on the 2017 championship.
Article Credit: NSTA Racing Staff
Submitted By: John Robbins
