Bobby Grigas, III might have started the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour race at Martinsville Speedway back in the 23rd position, but he wasted no time making forward progress in the race and had no trouble doing so.
“For the first half of the race I was racing,” said Grigas. “I had a good car. I was just driving around.”
Even when Grigas fell back a few positions, it was by design.
“When I fell a little back from the lead pack, it was because the car was getting hot and it needed fresh air. We still had a great car.”
On Lap 100, Grigas had to take evasive action to prevent from broad-siding Chuck Hossfeld's spun #4 car going into turn two. Grigas stopped just short of an impact and had to wait for the field of cars to come by before he could continue.
“Hossfeld spun out and then I got caught behind them (the field of cars) then I lost all those positions, said Grigas about the mishap."
As the race approached the 200-lap mark though, Grigas was not as fortunate. This time, it was Jason Myers who hit the wall and Grigas got caught up in the aftermath. The damage to Grigas' #09 Modified was enough to drop him from the race and leave him with a finish of 27th.
“You expect to be beaten up when you are at the back of the field,” said Grigas. “We were just staying in the back of the field. It is really a tough place. I lucked out the first half getting through it all. It is just a tough race track. It is really difficult to start in the rear. There are a lot of things that happen from the rear forward. I wish I could have finished the race. But it is what it is.”
Bobby Grigas, III liked getting around Martinsville (Top), but had some bad luck getting into a late wreck skirmish. (Bottom). (Rick Ibsen Photos)
