Catalano Enjoys Perfect Weekend At 2 Tracks

By Tim Southers, NASCAR July 12, 2011 - 6:12pm

 

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Success isn’t something new to Amy Catalano, the 2009 Modified Division champion at Spencer Speedway in Williamson, N.Y.
But last weekend was unique.

Photo Courtesy of Ron Rigby Photography

Catalano, 37, won a pair of feature races at Spencer Speedway, and followed that up one night later by winning the feature modified event at Holland (N.Y.) Speedway in Holland, N.Y. In addition to her heat race victories, The Ontario, N.Y., driver was a perfect 6-for-6 at a pair of NASCAR Whelen All-American Series tracks during the two-day period. “We had a good weekend, but it is early in the season,” Catalano said. “I am just happy for my sponsors, crew, family and fans that have supported me. I just want to race as much as I can and win every time I am in the car. I am a very competitive person.”


A driver’s best 18 results through Sept. 18 are counted toward their state and national points totals, and the champions are decided on overall points total. Once a driver reaches 18 starts, their total increases incrementally as they replace some poorer runs with better results.

Victory Lane at Spencer Speedway - Ron Rigby Photorgraphy

Catalano’s success last weekend allowed her to jump from 244th to 89th. She has three wins and eight top top fives in eight starts at Spencer and Holland. “I look at myself as just another driver out there on the track and I think a lot of drivers I race against feel the same way, she added. “I still get a lot of attention from fans who are excited to see a woman winning races.” She is one of a number of females throughout the United States and Canada ranked in the top 500 of the national standings, including three in the top 50.

Under the points structure for the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series, the race winner receives two points for every car in the event up to 20 cars. Second place receives two fewer points, and so on through the field. Race winners receive an additional five bonus points. For example, if 20 cars are in the field, the winner receives 45 points, second place 38 and third, 36. If there are 15 cars, the winner receives 35 points, second 28 and third, 26.

Track, state and provincial champions and the top-three finishers in the national standings earn invitations to the 2011 NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Awards Banquet at the Charlotte Convention Center at the NASCAR Hall of Fame on Friday, Dec. 9.