Justin Bonsignore is a racing legend in the New England area. The three-time NASCAR Whelen Modified champion sits tied for third on the series’ all-time wins list and has accomplished almost everything in the Modified world.
Bonsignore tried something new this past Saturday at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, making a start in the NASCAR Xfinity Series with Joe Gibbs Racing.
With qualifying and practice rained out, Bonsignore started mid-pack for the Saturday afternoon event at New Hampshire, a track he knows well. He started the event having already won the morning’s Modified race.
During the Sci Aps 200, Bonsignore seemed to be having more of the same success. After an impressive drive through the pack in stage one, Bonsignore found himself second to begin stage two.
The Long Island, Ny. native spent the entirety of stage two in the runner-up spot, trailing only eventual winner Christopher Bell, who went on to sweep the weekend.
Unfortunately for Bonsignore, his day went south late in the running at New Hampshire. Contact with Sammy Smith on a late restart sent his No. 19 spinning, relegating Bonsignore to 25th at race’s end.
Despite the poor result, it was an impressive showing for the self-proclaimed Modified-lifer. Bonsignore made a strong case that he should be considered for additional appearances in the future.
Frontstretch caught up with Bonsignore on June 22, ahead of his impressive Xfinity Series debut. He talked about his racing upbringing, racing at New Hampshire and if he’d ever pursue a career in NASCAR’s national series. You can watch the interview below.
Chase Folsom, Frontstretch: You’re a huge star up here in the northeast, but there are some people that may not have heard your name before this weekend. For those people, tell us a little bit about yourself and how you got started in racing.
Justin Bonsignore: I’ve been racing since I was a little kid. my dad and my uncle owned a go-kart business. My cousin Kyle and I, we just battled it out in the modified race, grew up racing go-karts all over the country nationally.
Just progressed from there, got into Modifieds at Riverhead Raceway where I live on Long Island….
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