NASCAR
Tom McCann Jr to make comeback at Bristol
Former Modified Driver McCann to Make Big Comeback at Bristol Mooresville, NC. (Aug. 17, 2009) For the first time in its 25 year history, the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour (NWMT) will take on Bristol Motor Speedway this Wednesday, August 19th, for ...
Published: Oct 2, 2009, 4:21 PM
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Former Modified Driver McCann to Make Big Comeback at Bristol
Mooresville, NC. (Aug. 17, 2009) For the first time in its 25 year history, the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour (NWMT) will take on Bristol Motor Speedway this Wednesday, August 19th, for the inaugural UNOH Perfect Storm 150. And for the first time in nearly 10 years, Tom McCann, Jr. will be behind the wheel of his family-owned modified, sponsored by Activ8 Communications.
Growing up around the Whelen Modified Tour where his father, Tom McCann, Sr., drove for over 20 years, McCann, Jr. got his start in the series at just 16 years of age. As one of the youngest drivers to ever qualify for a race in the series, McCann, Jr. raced for one full season before deciding to sell his equipment and move to Florida, pursuing a career in super late models.
After racing super late models around the Southeast for 10 years, McCann, Jr. still felt the desire to get behind the wheel of a modified. He once again packed his things, sold his late models and moved to North Carolina. Between opening a deli with his family in Mooresville and getting settled in the new surroundings, Tom put his race team on hold for several months.
But when his mother learned about the NWMT race at Bristol, she decided they needed to do whatever it took to build Tom a racecar for the event. With financial help from his family and long-time friend and CEO of Activ8 Communications, Mike Calinoff, Tom, his father, and a few close friends and racing contacts built a brand new racecar in just over a week.
"My mom and dad have been great during this whole effort, putting in time to help get this brand new racecar together," McCann said. "All of the friends and contacts I've made in the racing industry have really pulled through for me and I can't thank them enough. Then Mike (Calinoff) said he'd sponsor me for the race, and you can't get anything better than that."
Calinoff is also excited for the younger McCann to get back behind the wheel. "I think it's great that Tom is getting back into racing modifieds, which he's always loved," Calinoff said. "Activ8 is proud to be a part of his comeback in the series and we're all excited to see him back out on the track."
Though he hasn't had a chance to test the car since its completion McCann, Jr. is optimistic going into Wednesday's show. "There's no doubt in my mind I have the talent to go there and win," he said. "I know the car has the potential to finish up front, and we're giving it 110 percent."
"The race for us starts when we go out to qualify. Once we make the show, we have to keep the wheels on it and come home with a good finish. If we came out of there with a top-10, that would be like a win for me."
-credit: tnjPR
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