Showing up and making a quick

impression is not the easiest thing a

driver can do, regardless of the type of

racecar or series level.  In the highly-

competitive NASCAR Whelen Modified

Tour, being able to succeed right off the

bat in a driver’s first handful of races is

even tougher with veteran racers

battling each week on tracks that give

even the most experienced drivers fits.

But, Canadian Cole Powell has quickly

made his presence known on the

Whelen Modified scene after receiving

Rookie of the Race honors from his

third-place finish at the historic Bowman Gray Stadium (NC) in August.  He also took the award for the most improved positions at Bowman Gray and then later his first start at Bristol Motor Speedway (TN).

However, his most recent race was by far his favorite of the season as he got to run New Hampshire Motor Speedway for the first time in his career.  The thrill of bump drafting at 150MPH and running laps in front of a huge crowd and a live SPEED broadcast was the adrenaline rush of the season.

"I absolutely loved it," said Powell.   "It took a while to get the hang of it, but it sure was fun.  We used the race as a test session and didn't really mix it up with the leaders like we could have as we didn't want to mess up those running for a championship."

Powell finished 16th after starting 19th in the 100-lap event.  Powell also had Andy Petree in the pits in a driver coach role.  The former Cup Champion crew chief Petree helped Powell learn the intricacies of racing at the "Magic Mile.” 

Powell has big plans for next year in the series.  After getting his feet wet, Powell is ready to take on New Hampshire again.

Just a week before Powell also ran another historic Modified track as he took on Thompson International Speedway (CT).  He got a chance to run two races as a part of the UNOH Showdown and the 75-lap NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour race.

"Thompson was a hard fought battle," said Powell.  "For our first time out we ran very well against the south cars, but things were just way too tight in the Showdown race.  I know we need experience and that's what we got at Thompson.”

Powell finished 10th in the Southern Tour race and 18th in the Showdown.

Action will continue for Powell when he returns to Thompson for the World Series event on October 12th, 13th and 14th.

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Cole Powell Learning the Northern Modified Ropes

Canadian Standout Runs Thompson and New Hampshire for First Time

Cole Powell at speed. (Speed51.com Photo)