Watch: When Whelen Modified Champion Rick Fuller Called the New Hampshire 100 Race Start From Inside the Racecar
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There have been a lot of crazy on-track moments in NASCAR history, but few are as unbelievable as what former NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour champion Rick Fuller did at the New Hampshire 100. The veteran was one of the most distinguished drivers in the history of NASCAR’s Modified Racing, with 20 wins to his name.
Fuller was one of the few people who made their Whelen Modified Tour debut in the inaugural race of the competition, all the way back in 1985. Almost 40 years later, the racing veteran is considered to be a legend of the competition, but not just for his achievements or race craft.
Rick Fuller commentates his own move before taking the lead at New Hampshire
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Rick Fuller was the 1993 champion of the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, just a year after his brother Jeff Fuller won the title. It’s safe to say that they were two incredible years in the Fuller household. His record in the competition speaks for itself as he earned 20 race wins, 145 top fives, and 231 top 10s in 439 career NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour starts.
One of his greatest on-track moments was when he called a race from inside his car. The best part was the NASCAR legend took the lead of the event as he was calling the action going around him. He spoke about his move to the lead with a lot of enthusiasm, as expected.
The commentating duties were handed over to the former motorsports athlete by Mike Joy. Driving the blue #8 car in the New Hampshire 100, the former Whelen Modified Tour champion took a sarcastic dig at Joy before proceeding to call the action. He was definitely in a good mood that day. “Well it‘d sure be a heck of a lot easier from where you’re sitting buddy,” he said.
The incident was fondly recalled by Mike Joy, who tweeted that it was a highlight of both his and Fuller’s career. The veteran commentator also said that his commentary partner at the time, Buddy Baker, also had a field day listening to one of the most hilarious yet epic moments in motorsports going down in front of his eyes.
This has to be a highlight of Rick Fuller's and my careers. Buddy Baker (may co-host) sure enjoyed it! https://t.co/xQooaoI09f
— Mike Joy (@mikejoy500) November 21, 2023
Rick Fuller retired from NASCAR Modified Racing in 2008, bringing an end to a legendary career that was laden with wins and titles.
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Whelen Tour legend credits NASCAR for a humbling experience
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Weekly series action gave Rick Fuller his first taste of competitive racing. But it did not take him long to add a few feathers to his hat. In 1980 and 1982, he won the Late Model championships at Thompson and Westboro Speedways. Later, Fuller switched to the Modified division, where he won the 1985 Thompson track championship. As per motorsport.com, Fuller admitted that winning was a lot easier until he made his debut in the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour.
“Early on in my career, winning really wasn’t that big of an effort. It wasn’t uncommon in the first few years that I started out racing for me to win 30 or 40 feature events. Once I moved solely into the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, it was a humbling experience. To win just one or two races a year was huge. To actually win the championship was a monster accomplishment,” he had said.
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Rick Fuller, today, is considered to be an underrated legend who had a penchant for motor racing commentary. Where does the 1993 Whelen Tour champion rank in your books?
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Edited by:
Ranvijay Singh