Imagine clinching more victories in a grueling racing series than anyone else, all while deciding to compete only part-time – that's the incredible legacy Ron Silk is etching into NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour history! This isn't just about speed; it's a testament to skill, strategy, and a deep love for the sport that keeps fans and fellow drivers in awe. But here's where it gets controversial: is it truly fair for a part-timer to hold the all-time wins record, or does it highlight how talent can triumph no matter the schedule? Stick around to dive into this thrilling tale and see what most people miss about the underdog spirit in motorsports.
Even as Ron Silk transitions to competing on a part-time basis in the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour – a high-stakes racing circuit featuring modified stock cars that test drivers' endurance and precision on oval tracks – he's set to wrap up the 2025 season with more wins than any other racer. For newcomers to the sport, think of the Modified Tour as a thrilling blend of NASCAR's elite racing, where drivers tweak their cars for maximum performance on challenging circuits, often leading to edge-of-your-seat battles.
Silk secured his place in the record books during Saturday's World Series 150 at Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park, where he led for roughly half the race en route to his fourth win of the year. This achievement made him the eighth driver ever in the series' history to rack up at least 30 victories, a milestone that underscores his enduring dominance. As a two-time series champion, Silk pulled ahead decisively, crossing the finish line with an impressive eight-second lead. He admitted he didn't foresee such a commanding margin, but his confidence soared once he settled into the rhythm of the race.
"We had an outstanding car," Silk explained. "Starting from 11th in qualifying wasn't ideal, but based on how it handled in practice and even in qualifying, I knew we could fight our way to the front. It might have been a calmer race for the spectators, and I'm sure they'd have preferred more late-race drama, but from behind the wheel, it felt fantastic."
Thompson Speedway has always held special meaning for Silk throughout his illustrious career. He notched his first three Modified Tour triumphs there between 2007 and 2008, and now he's claimed Victory Lane – that's the area where winners celebrate post-race – at the track a total of nine times. And this is the part most people miss: that sentimental connection isn't just nostalgia; it's fuel for performance. His first win with his current team, Haydt-Yannone Racing, back in 2023 was particularly poignant. Amid a fierce title fight with Justin Bonsignore, that victory played a pivotal role in securing Silk's second championship crown.
This year, by opting out of several races, Silk and Haydt-Yannone Racing ruled out another title chase, yet they proved to be one of the most formidable duos on the circuit. Silk doesn't just boast the most wins in 2025; he also leads in laps led, a stat he boosted at Thompson. He's thankful for the strong bond with his Haydt-Yannone team and their ability to stay competitive even with a reduced schedule. Looking ahead, no matter how many events they tackle in future seasons, Silk revels in their position at the top.
"I felt we could have snagged a couple more wins early in the year, but you shouldn't get too greedy," Silk remarked. "Landing four was solid given our limited outings, and we're thrilled with that."
Matt Swanson was the closest competitor to Silk in the final laps, finishing a solid second and, in doing so, winning the FloRacing Connecticut Challenge – an intermediate championship among the three Thompson races, reserved for new teams or those without recent participation in the past three years. Modified Tour points leader Austin Beers increased his gap over Justin Bonsignore, patiently trailing him for much of the second half before making a strategic overtake to claim third place.
Rounding out the top five were Matt Hirschman and Craig Lutz, with Bonsignore, Kyle Bonsignore, Patrick Emerling, Tyler Rypkema, and Stephen Kopcik completing the top 10.
Just one race remains before the 2025 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour champion is officially named. Martinsville Speedway will host the season finale, the Virginia is for Racing Lovers 200, on October 23, with FloRacing providing live coverage of all the action.
NWMT Thompson World Series 150
Thompson Speedway
October 11, 2025
Pos. No. Name Sponsor Laps Diff.
1 16 Ron Silk Blue Mountain Machine/Future Homes 150
2 25 Matt Swanson Ceravolo’s Auto/Mully’s Auto Repair/Casella Snowplows 150 8.122
3 64 Austin Beers G&G Electric Supply/Dell Electric/Fastrack Electric/Lumiere Electrical/Andrew James Int/AP Marquadt & 150 12.447
4 60 Matt Hirschman Elite Towing/Bar Harbor Bank and Trust 150 13.432
5 46 Craig Lutz Riverhead Building Supply 150 14.936
6 51 Justin Bonsignore Phoenix Communications Inc 150 15.663
7 22 Kyle Bonsignore MTT/ChaLew Performance/Munns Auto 150 19.097
8 1 Patrick Emerling Fleetworks Inc. 149 1 Lap
9 3 Tyler Rypkema USNE Power/SYP/Northeast Drilling 149 1 Lap
10 21 Stephen Kopcik* Newtown Pools/Wanick Construction 149 1 Lap
11 17 Anthony Nocella Keene Towing & Recovery/Copart/Xtreme Autobody/Sontag Motorsports/Bells Septic 149 1 Lap
12 44 Chase Dowling S&S Paving/Harshaw Paving 149 1 Lap
13 56 Trevor Catalano USNE Power 148 2 Laps
14 82 Woody Pitkat Horton Ave Materials/Gunsmoke Stables Racing/Metro Door Boston/Hartford 148 2 Laps
15 55 Teddy Hodgdon IV* Montanari Fuel/Business Time Motorsports 148 2 Laps
16 11 Eric Berndt Ferguson Motorsports LLC 147 3 Laps
17 54 Tommy Catalano FX Caprara/USNE 147 3 Laps
18 18 Ken Heagy Speed 77 145 5 Laps
19 8 John Michael-Shenette USNE Power Midwest/Eighty-Two Services/Heinz Performance/Anglers Choice 145 5 Laps
20 63 Dylan Slepian Eastport Feeds 144 6 Laps
21 29 Mike Marshall MLM Diagnostics/Jusczak Electric 140 10 Laps
22 66 Timmy Solomito USNE/Natural Design/FX Caprara/McKinney Construction 27 123 Laps
23 58 Eric Goodale GAF Roofing 27 123 Laps
24 12 Brian Sones* DW Machine & Fabricating Co./Bergen Industries 26 124 Laps
25 20 Max Zachem USNE/Lu-Mac’s 17 133 Laps
Now, let's stir the pot a bit: Some might argue that Silk's part-time approach gives him an unfair advantage by allowing him to cherry-pick races where his team excels, potentially stifling full-time competitors' chances. Is this the mark of a strategic genius, or does it undermine the spirit of the tour? And what about that wide win margin – was it a display of superiority, or did it rob fans of the nail-biting finishes they crave? We'd love to hear your take: Do you think part-time racing is revolutionizing motorsports, or should everyone go full throttle? Share your thoughts in the comments below – agree or disagree, let's discuss!
