NASCAR announces 2017 Modified schedule

After operating two divisions since 2005, NASCAR decided to merge the southern division with the longstanding ground-pounders from the North to unify NASCAR’s oldest division.

The schedule features 17 championship points events with four races slated to be held in the Carolinas and Tennessee with the remaining two events non-points events starting with the All-Star Shootout to be held at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on July 14 and the race at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Oct. 5.

The season will kick off at Myrtle Beach Speedway on March 18 and conclude on October 15 at Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park as part of the 55^th annual World Series of Racing.

“NASCAR is committed to growing and enhancing the profile of the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour,” said George Silbermann, NASCAR vice president of weekly & touring series. “The 2017 calendar is a mix of some of the best race tracks for the exciting brand of racing that Modified fans have loved for more than 60 years. We are looking forward to a championship season worthy of the likes of Richie Evans, Jerry Cook and others.”

The schedule is complete except for a May 13 event to be held at a southern-based race track.

New points fund structure highlighted

In other significant news to come from the new schedule release is a substantial increase in the year-end point fund money to be distributed.

NASCAR will offer Modified competitors close to $500,000 in year-end awards through Whelen and contingency sponsors. NASCAR will also make available more than $230,000 in owner-plan money.

NASCAR has also reallocated what was formerly the NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour year-end point fund in the form of non-qualifier money and a champions/owner plan for the teams that competed in the NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour in 2016.

The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour television broadcast on NBCSN will also be announced at a later date.

2017 NASCAR WHELEN MODIFIED TOUR SCHEDULE

Date      Track                                                                                Location
3/18       Myrtle Beach Speedway                                              Myrtle Beach, S.C.
4/2         Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park                  Thompson, Conn.
4/30       Stafford Motor Speedway                                           Stafford, Conn.
5/13       TBA                                                                                   TBA (southern race track)
6/14       Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park                  Thompson, Conn.
6/24       Riverhead Raceway                                                      Riverhead, N.Y.
7/14       New Hampshire Motor Speedway*                           Loudon, N.H.
7/15       New Hampshire Motor Speedway                             Loudon, N.H.
7/22       New London-Waterford Speedbowl                         Waterford, Conn.
8/4         Stafford Motor Speedway                                           Stafford, Conn.
8/9         Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park                  Thompson, Conn.
8/16       Bristol Motor Speedway                                              Bristol, Tenn.
8/26       Seekonk Speedway                                                       Seekonk, Mass.
9/2         Oswego Speedway                                                        Oswego, N.Y.
9/16       Riverhead Raceway                                                      Riverhead, N.Y.
9/23       New Hampshire Motor Speedway                             Loudon, N.H.
10/1       Stafford Motor Speedway                                           Stafford, Conn.
10/5       Charlotte Motor Speedway*                                      Concord, N.C.
10/15    Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park                  Thompson, Conn.