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Patrick Emerling, seen here in a 2011 photo from Thompson Speedway, scored his first career victory in the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour in the Bush's Beans 150 at Bristol Motor Speedway. Photo: Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images for NASCAR

Emerling Puts On Clinic in Modified Race at Thunder Valley

By Tucker White

August 16, 2017

Less than 1 Minute Read

BRISTOL, Tenn. — Patrick Emerling led from start to finish to win the Bush’s Beans 150 at Bristol Motor Speedway.

He led all 150 laps, and held off Doug Coby in the closing laps to win for the first time in his career in the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour.

“To win Bristol, it takes the words right out of your mouth. It’s our best win ever…It’s a dream come true,” Emerling said.

Coby finished second and Justin Bonsinger rounded out the podium.

Chase Dowling and Ryan Preece rounded out the top-five.

Andy Seuss, Rowan Pennick, Ronnie Williams, Bobby Santos and Matt Swanson rounded out the top-10.

Caution flew six times during the race, most notably for a five cars were collected in a Turn 4 wreck on Lap 9, three of which retired from the race. Another led to the 75 of Jeremy Gerstner slamming into the sand barriers that protect the leading edge of the outside front stretch pit wall, with 56 laps to go.

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of SpeedwayMedia.com

Tucker White

I've followed NASCAR for well over 20 years of my life, both as a fan and now as a member of the media. As of 2024, I'm on my ninth season as a traveling NASCAR beat writer. For all its flaws and dumb moments, NASCAR at its best produces some of the best action you'll ever see in the sport of auto racing. Case in point: Kyle Larson's threading the needle pass at Darlington Raceway on May 9, 2021. On used-up tires, racing on a worn surface and an aero package that put his car on the razor's edge of control, Larson demonstrated why he's a generational talent. Those are the stories I want to capture and break down. In addition to NASCAR, I also follow IndyCar and Formula 1. As a native of Knoxville, Tennessee, and a graduate of the University of Tennessee, I'm a diehard Tennessee Volunteers fan (especially in regards to Tennessee football). If covering NASCAR doesn't kill me, down the road, watching Tennessee football will. I'm also a diehard fan of the Atlanta Braves, and I lived long enough to see them win a World Series for the first time since 1995 (when I was just a year old). I've also sworn my fan allegiance to the Nashville Predators, though that's not paid out as much as the Braves. Furthermore, as a massive sports dork, I follow the NFL on a weekly basis. Though it's more out of an obligation than genuine passion (for sports dorks, following the NFL is basically an unwritten rule). Outside of sports, I'm a major cinema buff and a weeb. My favorite film is "Blazing Saddles" and my favorite anime is "Black Lagoon."

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