TC takes Mod pole

Sun is out and it's hot, hot, hot -- but everything's on schedule at the Magic Mile.

Ted Christopher just won the pole for the Whelen Modified Tour's New England 100, which rolls off on Saturday afternoon. Donny Lia, who's won 3 of the first 5 tour events this season, will start second. Jimmy Blewett qualified third after replacing his driveshaft, one that broke during his warm-up lap.

Christopher has 4 wins in a Modified at NHIS, all of which came in a car owned by James Galante. But, now Christopher's driving for Ed Whelan, after Galante was implicated in organized crime charges and had all of his racing assets -- among other things -- locked up.

"It still bothers me knowing that that car is sitting in storage, but it's never been beaten," Christopher said. "It will be back someday. It was the best car ever, by far.

"That motor never went anywhere else, that whole car never went anywhere else (but NHIS)," Christopher said. "It was just a Loudon car. I still miss that car."

Christopher now has 7 career Mod poles at the track.

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The Busch East Series is readying for its qualifying session.

Landon Cassill in a National Guard-sponsored car fielded by Hendrick Motorsports was quickest over Matt Kobyluck and Joey Logano during practice.