In the four full-time years Austin Beers has spent on the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, Lancaster Motorplex has quickly become one of his favorite tracks.
The half-mile oval outside of Buffalo was where Beers earned his second Modified Tour victory in 2023 after initially breaking through at Richmond Raceway earlier in the year. Beers defended that Lancaster triumph last year by climbing from the fifth position to lead a race-high 74 laps.
On Saturday, for the third year in row, Beers found his way to Victory Lane at Lancaster. It took strategy and a herculean effort on Beers’ behalf to fend off Patrick Emerling in the closing laps, but the second-generation Modified competitor was elated to prevail at Lancaster once again and finally earn a victory on the 2025 season.
“I’m wore out,” Beers said. “I was on the edge every single lap trying not to give up anything. We had the best in the business behind us with Justin Bonsignore, Patrick Emerling; Matt [Hirschman] was there, too. I’m so thankful to get the three-peat. It’s pretty damn cool.”
Consistency had followed Beers all year prior to Saturday’s Nu-Way Auto Parts 150. The only finish Beers recorded outside the top five all year came at Riverhead Raceway, where he placed eighth.
There were moments Saturday when Beers was unsure whether he would place inside the top five, let alone earn a third consecutive Lancaster win. Beers barely cracked the top 10 during the final practice session and only improved upon his speed in qualifying slightly with the ninth-best speed of 20 cars.
An early caution gave Beers’ crew an opportunity to adjust his No. 64 Modified. Beers methodically began picking off his fellow competitors during the ensuing green flag run before a spin by Craig Lutz with 76 laps remaining brought most of the field down pit road, cycling Beers to second place behind Kyle Bonsignore.
When Bonsignore pitted during the final caution of the night, Beers inherited the lead but was tasked with fending off the pack behind him. Emerling proved to be Beers’ toughest competition; the former was eager to improve upon the runner-up finish he sustained to Beers at Lancaster last year.
History repeated itself for both Beers and Emerling. Despite losing crucial track position during the last restart, Emerling made a valiant charge back to the rear bumper of Beers but once again had to settle for a second-place result.
“This is one we really wanted to win,” Emerling said. “[It’s our] home track. I think we had the car to beat, but we got freight-trained and stuck up top there. By the time I was able to work back by [Matt Hirschman] and [Justin Bonsignore], we were a little too used up at that point.”
By successfully fending off Emerling, Beers helped match a notable Modified Tour record by becoming the seventh different winner in seven races to open the season. The last time the series had seven different winners to open a season occurred back in 1999, with Tony Hirschman breaking that streak with back-to-back victories.
Other drivers who have visited Victory Lane with the Modified Tour this season are Emerling, Ron Silk, Craig Lutz and Matt Hirschman, along with Justin and Kyle Bonsignore.
The parity currently permeating the Modified Tour has Beers convinced a record-setting eighth different winner in eight races could occur during the next event at Monadnock Speedway. Beers would not mind snapping the streak, but he knows every triumph on the Modified Tour requires strenuous effort.
That’s why Beers is cherishing three consecutive victories at Lancaster.
“This shows how tough this tour is,” Beers said. “There’s six other guys that could still win, like [Stephen] Kopcik, the Catalanos and [Tyler] Rypkema. A lot of guys could still win here, but it means a lot to get another win at Lancaster. I love this place.”
Hirschman finished third behind Beers and Emerling. Kyle Bonsignore and Jacob Lutz completed the top five.
The rest of the top 10 comprised of Tyler Rypkema, Luke Baldwin, Justin Bonsignore, Craig Lutz and George Skora III.
Up next for the Modified Tour is a Saturday-Sunday doubleheader at Monadnock Speedway, with the Duel at the Dog 200 taking place on July 19 and the Cheshire County Clash 200 occurring the following day. The two races make up the final two legs of the Whelen Short Track Cup. FloRacing will have live coverage of all the on-track activity.
NWMT Nu-Wat 150
Lancaster Motorplex
July 12 2025