THOMPSON, Conn. (Oct. 14, 2007) Twenty-two-year-old Bobby Santos III scored his first career NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour victory at the track he grew up watching racing.

Santos (No. 3 Robys Propane/Cape Cod Copper Chevrolet) led 109 laps, including the final 32, in winning the Xtra/Mart 150 at Thompson (Conn.) International Speedway.

Ive been coming here since I was a baby, said Santos, a Franklin, Mass. native. I started racing at its quarter-midget track next door. This is the place to (get my first win).

Reggie Ruggiero (No. 14 Atlantic Sprinkler Chevrolet) finished second, followed by Matt Hirschman (No. 59 Ed Bennett Properties Chevrolet).

The young guys are coming, said the 46-year-old Ruggiero of Santos and Hirschman, 24. Its just going to happen. But we can still be competitive with them.

Ted Christopher and Ronnie Silk were fourth and fifth. Kevin Goodale, Ryan Preece, Mike Stefanik, Tony Hischman and Renee Dupuis rounded out the top 10.

Santos ran 11 of the 16 races as rookie of the Whelen Modified Tour this season. He is two days removed from making his fourth NASCAR Busch Series start of the season at Lowes Motor Speedway in Charlotte, N.C. for Bill Davis Racing.

It was his win Sunday that put the biggest smile on his face.

The car was just unbelievable, Santos said. We started out free and after the pit stop, it was even better.

Richard Savary (No. 21 Superior Oil Chevrolet) finished 13th to earn the Sunoco Rookie of the Year honors by one point (96-95) over Bobby Grigas III (No. 09 Triple G Scaffolding Chevrolet). Grigas was 25th in Sundays race.