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NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour History

The NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour was established by NASCAR in 2005, and is a close cousin to the northeastern-based NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour. Whelen Engineering, a Connecticut-based manufacturer of emergency lighting systems, is the title sponsor of both tours. The cars of the Whelen Southern Modified Tour are nearly identical to those used on the Whelen Modified Tour.
 

While the Whelen Southern Modified Tour was a new addition in 2005, NASCAR itself has a long tradition of Modified racing in the Southeastern U.S. Prior to the formation of the Whelen Modified Tour in 1985, NASCAR Modified teams competed in championship events up and down the east coast, including stops at Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, N.C., North Wilkesboro (N.C.) Speedway and Martinsville (Va.) Speedway. Top drivers from North Carolina and Virginia, such as Ralph Brinkley, Ray Hendrick and Satch Worley, were regular NASCAR Modified competitors.

Junior Miller, known to fans as “King of the Southern Modifieds” won back-to-back championships in the Whelen Southern Modified Tour in 2005 and 2006. L.W. Miller — no relation to Junior — followed by claiming the 2007 championship.

Brian Loftin took the crown in 2008, George Brunnhoelzl III in 2009 and Burt Myers broke through for his first tour title in 2010.