Gary Putnam, who took over as Series Director for the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour last November, reflected on his first year in the role, noting that the experience was challenging but ultimately rewarding. The early part of the 2026 season faced significant hurdles, including multiple weather-related postponements, which Putnam described as a steep learning curve for the organization.
A major focus of the season was the change in the primary tire manufacturer to American Racer in December 2025. After some initial issues with consistency and sizing, which peaked at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in August, Putnam stated that these problems were resolved in the latter half of the 2026 season, leading to improvements in the product.
Looking ahead to 2027, Putnam is prioritizing several key areas, including increasing the purse payouts and restructuring the series to make the experience more rewarding for competitors. He also emphasized his focus on scheduling and inspection processes, aiming to ensure that every event, whether at Riverhead or Thompson, offers consistency.
Furthermore, to address high fuel costs and travel expenses, Putnam and NASCAR are actively working to reduce costs for teams. The 2027 schedule, which features a majority of races in New England, is designed to cut down travel distance, resulting in a significant cost reduction for the race teams.
Source: Short Track Scene