Justin Bonsignore Explained

Justin Bonsignore
Birth Date:February 3, 1988
Birth Place:Holtsville, New York, U.S.
Current Series:NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour
Years Active:2007–present
First Year:2007
Current Team:Kenneth Massa Motorsports
Car Number:51
Crew Chief:Ryan Stone
Starts:212
Championships:3
Wins:41
Poles:30
Best Finish:1st
Last Finish:2nd (2023)
Titles:NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour
Title Years:2018, 2020, 2021
Module:
Embed:yes
Total Busch Races:1
Years In Busch:1
Busch Car Team:No. 19 (Joe Gibbs Racing)
First Busch Race:2024 SciAps 200 (Loudon)
Busch Wins:0
Busch Top Tens:0
Busch Poles:0
Updated:June 22, 2024

Justin Bonsignore (born February 3, 1988) is an American racing driver who competes full-time in the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, driving the No. 51 car for Kenneth Massa Motorsports.[1] He also competes part-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, driving the No. 19 Toyota Supra for Joe Gibbs Racing, and part-time in the ARCA Menards Series, driving the No. 30 Ford Mustang for Rette Jones Racing.

Early career and go-karts

Bonsignore began his racing career with go-karts at the age of 8. His family has long owned and operated a Kart Racing Shop, and this early exposure to the racing circuit paved the way for a career in racing.

In 1997, Bonsignore competed for his first national event at the Rockingham Speedway, in North Carolina, where he finished 13th. During his go-kart career Bonsignore has secured 18 national event wins, 13 poles, and 45 top-5 finishes in 81 national starts. Highlights include wins at Len Sammon's Indoor Kart Race at the Dunkin' Donuts Center in Providence, Rhode Island and the East End Shootout at Riverhead Raceway.

Chargers and modified

In 2005, Bonsignore began racing stock cars. Competing in Riverhead Raceway's Charger Division, and NASCAR Dodge Weekly Racing Series, Bonsignore finished third in the series standings, was awarded Rookie of the Year, and secured the best rookie finish on record.

In 2006, Bonsignore joined the NASCAR Modified Division, where he scored three top-5 and nine top-10 finishes. For the second year in a row, Bonsignore received honors from NASCAR, taking home the Rookie of the Year title for the Modified Division and claiming a seventh-place finish overall, a new best for a rookie driver.

Hopes for a higher finish in 2007 were cut short due to a wrist injury.

2008 saw Bonsignore's first stock car win in 2008 and the division's most top-5 and top-10 finishes en route to an 8th-place points finish.

2009 proved a very successful season performance wise, but bad luck kept overall results below expectations. During the season, Bonsignore broke a long winless streak and won the Cromarty Cup 50 Lap race, qualifying on the pole and leading every lap.

In the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour race Bonsignore was able to match a career-best 4th-place finish.

M3 Technology Racing

2009 also marked the first collaboration between Bonsignore and local business owner Ken Massa. During the summer, the two discussed and formed a team with the intention of competing full-time on the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour. In the team's first race together, they scored a 2nd-place finish at the Sundance Vacations Speedway in St. John's, PA (the former and later Mountain Speedway; to be called Evergreen Raceway Park starting in 2014) in the King of the Mountain 150.

The 2010 season showed the promise of the new team, as Bonsignore was named the 2010 Sunoco Rookie of the Year.[2] Finishing a strong 13th in the standings, a series of mechanical accidents and bad luck ruined a potential top-10 run. Bonsignore became the first NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour driver to earn a Coors Light Pole Award at Bristol Motor Speedway and Stafford Motor Speedway. 2010 saw the M3 Racing team take home two top 5 finishes, and four top 10 finishes.[3]

M3 Technology and Bonsignore returned to the Tour for the 2011 season, and once again competed throughout the year at Riverhead Raceway. On July 30, 2011, Bonsignore won his first Whelen Modified Tour race at his local track, Riverhead Raceway. He started on the outside pole and led the final 158 laps in dominating fashion. Bonsignore also won the NASCAR Weekly Series Modified championship at Riverhead Raceway, clinching that on September 10, 2011.

In 2012 and 2013 Bonsignore finished 7th and 8th in the points respectively, picking up two more wins at Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park and Monadnock Speedway.

2014 saw a change for Bonsignore and the M3 Technology team as they would switch from Troyer to Spafco Chassis and Robert Yates Racing Spec engines. Performance improved as Bonsignore won 3 races on the way to a 3rd-place finish in points. Winning speed returned in 2015, with two more race wins, however, the team lacked consistency on the way to a 10th-place finish in points.

The 2016 season proved to be a career year at the time for Bonsignore, scoring 4 wins and 13 top 5s on the way to a runner-up points finish to Doug Coby. 2017 was not as kind, with Bonsignore going winless for the first time since 2010, only leading 4 laps all season.

2018 was another year of change for the No. 51 team. The team switched chassis manufacturers again to the potent FURY Chassis, bringing in Ryan Stone as crew chief. These changes paid off as Bonsignore won the 2018 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour championship on the strength of 8 wins, 5 poles, 12 Top 5's, 15 top 10's, and 695 laps lead, leading every category.

ARCA Menards Series

On February 5, 2024, it was announced that Bonsignore will make his ARCA Menards Series debut at Daytona International Speedway, driving the No. 30 car for Rette Jones Racing. Bonsignore had competed in the ARCA testing session for Fast Track Racing earlier in the year.[4]

NASCAR Xfinity Series

On May 16, 2024, it was announced that Bonsignore will compete in the NASCAR Xfinity Series race at New Hampshire in June, driving the No. 19 for Joe Gibbs Racing.[5]

Motorsports career results

NASCAR

(key) (

Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led.)

Whelen Modified Tour

NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour results
YearCar ownerNo.Make123456789101112131415161718PtsRef
2007Info not available23ChevyTMPSTAWTOSTATMPNHATSARIV
4
STATMPMANMARNHATMPSTATMP53rd160[7]
2008TMPSTASTATMPNHASPERIV
DNQ
STATMPMANTMPNHAMARCHESTATMPN/A0[8]
2009Thomas Bonsignore51ChevyTMPSTASTANHASPERIV
4
STABRITMPNHAMARSTATMP49th160[9]
2010Kenneth MassaChevyTMP
27
STA
10
STA
11
MAR
2
NHA
12
LIM
21
MND
9
RIV
17
STA
25
TMP
24
BRI
5
NHA
27
STA
29
TMP
22
13th1587[10]
2011TMP
5
STA
28
STA
17
MND
2
TMP
24
NHA
31
RIV
1*
STA
11
NHA
4
BRI
2
DEL
7
TMP
10
LRP
3
NHA
3
STA
10*
TMP
21
7th2141[11]
2012TMP
13
MND
4
STA
10
WFD
2
NHA
28
STA
10
TMP
25
BRI
4
TMP
1
RIV
2
NHA
25
STA
11
TMP
19
7th460[12]
FordSTA
6
2013ChevyTMP
8
STA
2
STA
7
WFD
4
RIV
24
NHA
32
MND
1*
STA
15
TMP
20
BRI
8
RIV
2
NHA
14
STA
5
TMP
10
8th464[13]
2014TMP
1
STA
5
STA
2
WFD
4
RIV
16
NHA
6
MND
1
STA
8
TMP
1
BRI
6
NHA
25
STA
21
TMP
5
3rd484[14]
2015TMP
27
STA
20
WFD
25
STA
28
TMP
2
RIV
1*
NHA
22
MND
3
STA
5
TMP
8
BRI
24
RIV
1*
NHA
5
STA
21
TMP
2
10th478[15]
2016TMP
3
STA
5
WFD
17
STA
5
TMP
20
RIV
2
NHA
8
MND
5
STA
2
TMP
1*
BRI
22
RIV
1*
OSW
3
SEE
2
NHA
1*
STA
2
TMP
1
2nd672[16]
2017MYR
6
TMP
9
STA
9
LGY
5
TMP
14
RIV
5
NHA
17
STA
3
TMP
11
BRI
3
SEE
6
OSW
6
RIV
5
NHA
5
STA
6
TMP
10
3rd588[17]
2018MYR
5
TMP
1
STA
8
SEE
1*
TMP
1
LGY
2
RIV
1
NHA
4*
STA
7
TMP
1*
BRI
1*
OSW
2
RIV
1
NHA
6*
STA
12
TMP
1
1st693[18]
2019MYR
12
SBO
25
TMP
1
STA
6*
WAL
13
SEE
2
TMP
1
RIV
1
NHA
7
STA
6
TMP
2
OSW
1*
RIV
1
NHA
5
STA
2*
TMP
1
2nd653[19]
2020JEN
1*
WMM
1
WMM
5
JEN
5*
MND
1
TMP
2
NHA
2*
STA
3
TMP
3
1st392[20]
2021MAR
3
STA
13
RIV
3*
JEN
1*
OSW
4
RIV
3
NHA
2*
NRP
2
STA
2
BEE
8
OSW
3
RCH
24
RIV
2
STA
1
1st565[21]
2022NSM
31
RCH
1
RIV
25
LEE
10
JEN
8
MND
1
RIV
2
WAL
6
NHA
12
CLM
6
TMP
5
LGY
5
OSW
1
RIV
1*
TMP
14
MAR
29
4th568[22]
2023NSM
RCH
MON
RIV
LEE
SEE
RIV
WAL
NHA
LMP
THO
LGY
OSW
MON
RIV
NWS
THO
MAR
2nd750[23]
2024NSM
RCH
THO
MON
RIV
SEE
NHA
MON
LMP
THO
OSWRIVMONNWSTHOMAR-*-*[24]

ARCA Menards Series

(key) (

Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led.)

Season still in progress
Ineligible for series points

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Bonsignore Re-Signs With Kenneth Massa Motorsports. Speed Sport. January 10, 2018. March 20, 2019.
  2. http://hometracks.nascar.com/node/5155 Whelen Modified Tour: Sunoco Rookie of the Year
  3. http://www.racing-reference.info/yeardet?s=13&yr=2010&series=N 2010 Whelen Modified Tour Standings
  4. Web site: Branscum . Benjamine . February 5, 2024 . Whelen Modified Tour Star Justin Bonsignore Joins Rette Jones Racing For Daytona . February 5, 2024 . TobyChristie.com.
  5. Web site: May 16, 2024 . Justin Bonsignore making Xfinity Series debut at New Hampshire for Joe Gibbs Racing . May 16, 2024 . Jayski.com . Jayski's Silly Season Site.
  6. Web site: Justin Bonsignore – 2024 NASCAR Xfinity Series results. Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. June 22, 2024.
  7. Web site: Justin Bonsignore – 2007 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Results. Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. June 23, 2020.
  8. Web site: Justin Bonsignore – 2008 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Results. Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. June 23, 2020.
  9. Web site: Justin Bonsignore – 2009 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Results. Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. June 23, 2020.
  10. Web site: Justin Bonsignore – 2010 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Results. Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. June 23, 2020.
  11. Web site: Justin Bonsignore – 2011 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Results. Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. June 23, 2020.
  12. Web site: Justin Bonsignore – 2012 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Results. Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. June 23, 2020.
  13. Web site: Justin Bonsignore – 2013 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Results. Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. June 23, 2020.
  14. Web site: Justin Bonsignore – 2014 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Results. Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. June 23, 2020.
  15. Web site: Justin Bonsignore – 2015 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Results. Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. June 23, 2020.
  16. Web site: Justin Bonsignore – 2016 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Results. Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. June 23, 2020.
  17. Web site: Justin Bonsignore – 2017 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Results. Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. June 23, 2020.
  18. Web site: Justin Bonsignore – 2018 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Results. Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. June 23, 2020.
  19. Web site: Justin Bonsignore – 2019 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Results. Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. June 23, 2020.
  20. Web site: Justin Bonsignore – 2020 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Results. Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. June 23, 2020.
  21. Web site: Justin Bonsignore – 2021 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Results. Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. August 8, 2021.
  22. Web site: Justin Bonsignore – 2022 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour results. Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. January 20, 2023.
  23. Web site: Justin Bonsignore – 2023 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour results. Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. March 25, 2024.
  24. Web site: Justin Bonsignore – 2024 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour results. Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. July 5, 2024.
  25. Web site: Justin Bonsignore – 2024 ARCA Menards Series results. Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. February 17, 2024.