Justin Bonsignore talks about his debut in the Xfinity Series and Modified Racing

Folsom: You mentioned your cousin Kyle and how he battled for the win in the Modified race today. Is that something the family can brag about, especially when you beat him at a track like New Hampshire?

Hello: Absolutely. I feel better about it of course, I’m sure he doesn’t, but we’re very close. We grew up together so we’re best friends, we talk every day. I’m sure he’s a bit disappointed about the last lap and that it didn’t work out for him to even have a chance to get into (Turn) 3.

I’m sure anyone can beat him. And that goes for me too. I would prefer my cousin to beat me. My whole family on his side is here too, so it’s really cool to fight him for a win for the first time since we were kids. I’m just happy we came out on top.

Folsom: You’ve now won the last two Whelen Modified races here in New Hampshire. Does it help you to know this track so well without having practiced or qualified in the Xfinity car?

Hello: Yes and no. I know the circuit, but I don’t know anything about full-fender cars. I’ve done some iRacing stuff, I’ve tried some simulators, I’ve studied data, but these cars are going to drive completely differently. We’re just hoping to use the first stage as a learning curve.

We’ve got a lot of good cars in the back of the field, Christopher Bell is back there, Alex Bowman is back there. We’ll hopefully be able to latch onto one of their bumpers and make our way through the field. Then hopefully they’ll have a good strategy out of the pits to maybe pass the field if we get some cautions that go in our favor.

Folsom: With weather being such a big factor this weekend, you had originally planned to run the Modified race in the afternoon, now that you’ve already done it, how much did that change your mindset when you got into the car you were going to run second in the morning?

Hello: I think it was nice to hear about the change of plans yesterday and what people thought about it. It definitely gives us a lot more time to relax. Now I can go back to the trailer, get some lunch, cool down a little and see what the Xfinity guys need from me, if anything.

Then I don’t have to run from car to car tonight. We already won this race, which definitely gives us some confidence personally for the rest of the day. You’re in such a good mood and you can go out there and hopefully have a good day there (in Xfinity). I think the schedule change makes it a little easier, it just would have been nice to practice yesterday.

Folsom: The goal when you get to the track is to win the race, but since this is your first time in a full-body stock car, what would have to happen for you to call today a successful day??

Hello: Of course we wouldn’t have entered, especially with Joe Gibbs, if we didn’t think we could win. As a driver you have to go into it with the mindset that you can win every time you get in a racing car. If we can get into the top 10 the first time, that would obviously be great.

A smooth day, no pit lane penalties, no problems, just some stupid stuff on the track. It’s not something you want to go out there with, so I’m just hoping we can have a solid day. If we can get in the top ten we’d be pretty happy, hopefully that’s something we can build on.

Folsom: The Modified scene here in the Northeast is unique in that there are often people who have been in it for life. People who race in the Modifieds who might have a chance but never really quit. Are you at that point in your career or do you still have ambitions to continue?

Hello: I would definitely say I’m a modified lifer, but I have a really good opportunity coming up this weekend. When opportunities like that come your way, you take them if everything works out, and that’s what worked out here.

I’m 36 and I no longer have any ambitions to move south and chase the dream of the national championship. I’ve kind of come to terms with it. If we somehow win this race today and the sponsors call and everything works out, we’ll definitely keep going and see if it works out.

I’m really excited about my Modified career and want to keep it going until I’m 50 if possible. I just want to try to keep winning races and fight for championships if possible.

Folsom: Have there been any discussions about this happening again if you get a good result today in Joe Gibbs’ car?

Hello: Not yet, but the guys have been really great. Steve deSouza – Vice President of the Xfinity Program – has been very welcoming and helped me with all my questions. Let’s see how it goes today, it obviously depends a lot on the sponsor.

We need to go out there today and maybe we can impress a few people. You never know if there will be more opportunities, but I would like to make a few starts a year if possible while I’m still reasonably competitive and not too old. We’ll see how it goes today and go from there.”