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AVONDALE, ARIZONA – NOVEMBER 01: Justin Bonsignore, driver of the #18 Soundgear Toyota, waves to fans as he walks onstage during driver intros prior to the NASCAR Xfinity Series Championship at Phoenix Raceway on November 01, 2025 in Avondale, Arizona. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)
Justin Bonsignore opened the 2026 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour season with a strong result, winning the New Smyrna Beach Area Visitors Bureau 200 at New Smyrna Speedway on February 8.
The race was part of the World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing and featured a competitive field under the Florida night sky. Justin Bonsignore showed speed early and stayed near the front throughout the event. After several attempts at the half-mile oval, he secured his first tour victory at the track.
The win added to the four-time champion’s resume and gave his team early momentum as the new season began with a demanding race that tested drivers on restarts, tire wear, and late-race execution.
Justin Bonsignore wins NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour opener at New Smyrna.
Bonsignore started the race from the pole after turning a lap of 17.730 seconds at 101.523 mph in qualifying. Driving the No. 51 Phoenix Communications Inc. car, he showed speed from the start.
After the win, Bonsignore spoke about the work behind the result.
“I mean, it’s been a tough winter for us, and this just feels good to come out and do what we did today. We had a great car. Obviously, we had the opportunity to conduct the tire test here and learned a lot. Even if we were going to stick with the Hoosiers that night, we worked really hard on some new stuff that we’ve been hesitant to try while we’re in points battles. It was excellent, and some of the lines we learned at the test helped.”
NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour race decided by late pass and restarts
The key moment came with about 35 laps remaining when Bonsignore passed Austin Beers for the lead. Multiple cautions followed, tightening the field and placing pressure on each restart.
Tyler Rypkema challenged during the closing laps, but Bonsignore maintained control, including on a green-white-checkered finish that settled the outcome.
“Being that tight on rears only with 20 to go, I was moving around in Turns 3 and 4, but it was just a great race for us.”
He also acknowledged the competition and the crowd after the race.
“I want to thank all the fans for coming out here tonight. It’s a little chilly, I know that, but it was a great race for Ryan there for a while, and Tyler kept us honest on those last bunch of starts. Just a great start to the year.”
The victory marked the 48th of Bonsignore’s career in the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour.
Justin Bonsignore credits team after first New Smyrna Speedway victory
Bonsignore credited his long-time partners and crew for their role in the performance.
“I want to thank Mark Langvin and the Langvin family from Phoenix Communications. They’ve been with us for 10 years now, so that’s special. Also, Clairecom IT Solutions, Fury Race Cars, Robbie A’s Engines, M3 Technology, Kennon and Jenny Massa, and the whole pit crew. They had great stops all night. We’ve been getting on them about some stops, but as I said, it’s been a tough winter for us. We don’t know what we’re doing, but winning fixes all, as they say. So we’re going to have some fun tonight.”
He also shared a personal moment following the finish.
“My boys are here. One of them’s crying, I don’t know if the other one’s awake… oh, he is awake. It’s just special. Amazing.”
The win carried extra meaning as it ended a stretch of near-misses at the track.
“First win here on the tour in Smyrna. I’ve been close a handful of times, so this place has whipped my butt. It’s nice to get one tonight, finally.”
With the season now underway, the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour moves forward following a competitive opener at New Smyrna Speedway.
Dogli Wilberforce is a sports writer who covers NASCAR, Formula 1 and IndyCar Series for Heavy Sports. With bylines at Total Apex Sports and Last Word on Sports, Wilberforce has built a reputation for delivering timely, engaging coverage that blends sharp analysis with accessible storytelling. Wilberforce has covered everything from major football transfers to fight-night drama, bringing readers the insight and context behind the headlines. More about Dogli Wilberforce
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