Anthony Nocella could not have had a more surprising finish to earn his first career win in the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour from New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
The 29-year-old secured the checkered flag in his 53rd career NWMT start and first of 2022. Nocella started from fifth place and hung inside the first top-10 for the majority of the 100-lap contest.
Patrick Emerling had the field securely behind him as he led off of the final corner when Eric Goodale made contact with the NASCAR Xfinity Series owner/driver, which caused a three-car incident at the start-finish line, which collected the top-three.
The Woburn, Massachusetts-native snuck through the chaos from fourth to secure his first victory in the series.
Video: Anthony Nocella Notches First Modified Victory After Top-Three Crash in Final Corner
Through the hectic conclusion, Kyle Bonsignore almost edged out the race winner, scoring a runner-up position, Patrick Emerling and Eric Goodale finished in third and fourth place after tangling together coming to the start-finish line. John McKennedy, who entered the event second place in points, finished in fifth.
Ryan Preece and Corey LaJoie – two drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series — competed in the event on Saturday, with Preece securing a sixth-place finish in his second NWMT start of the season. LaJoie, making his return to the series, finished ninth in his fourth career start.
Preece’s performance was uncharacteristic of his tenure in the series, as he hovered outside the top-10 for the majority of the event. LaJoie on the other hand, sustained early damage and was able to navigate himself to as high a runner position as sixth at the halfway point.
Doug Coby slotted in seventh and Donny Lia, who was leading the event until the third caution came out with 18 laps to go, posted an eighth-place run. Craig Lutz rounded out the top-10 in 10th.
On lap 28, a multi-car wreck included when Ron Silk, who came in as the winner of the last two NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour events. Silk was able to continue on the track, salvaging a 21st-place finish. Among other drivers involved were Kyle Ebersole, David Sapienza, and Austin Beers.
Here are the full race results from Saturday’s NWMT Whelen Manufactured in America 100 from the New Hampshire Motor Speedway:
1- (92) Anthony Nocella
2- (22) Kyle Bonsignore
3- (07) Patrick Emerling
4- (58) Eric Goodale
5- (79) Jon McKennedy
6- (40) Ryan Preece
7- (7) Doug Coby
8- (3) Donny Lia
9- (17) Corey LaJoie
10- (82) Craig Lutz
11- (64) Austin Beers
12- (51) Justin Bonsignore
13- (44) Bobby Santos lll
14- (120) Edward McCarthy
15- (18) Ken Heagy
16- (34) Ken Heagy
17- (78) Walter Sutcliffe Jr
18- (26) Gary McDonald
19- (32) Tyler Rypkema
20- (54) Tommy Catalano
21- (16) Ron Silk
22- (70) Andy Seuss
23- (01) Melissa Fifield
24- (36) David Sapienza
25- (5) Kyle Ebersole
