The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour will have new leadership in 2026 as Gary Putnam takes over as series director. Putnam replaces Jimmy Wilson, who has been promoted to Senior Technical Director for NASCAR’s Regional Operations.
Putnam brings nearly forty years of NASCAR experience and is the first director to have competed in the Modified Tour as a driver. His connection to the series dates back to his childhood in Connecticut, where Modified racing sparked his passion for the sport. As the tour enters its 41st season, Putnam now leads the division he grew up admiring.
Gary Putnam takes over leadership of the tour
Putnam becomes the first director of the modern-era NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour who has also competed as a driver in the division. His experience goes further than just driving. Putnam has worked as a crew chief and car chief for well-known NASCAR teams and has been involved in major race victories.
“That’s probably my highlight,” Putnam said. “2010 was quite the year. We won three Cup races, and Bono (Manion) and I won three Modified races, both Loudon races and Bristol, with Ryan Newman driving.”
Putnam now becomes only the fifth series director in the modern era. His hands-on experience gives him a unique understanding of how decisions made in the tower affect teams working in the pits and drivers on the track.
A lifetime shaped by Modified racing
Putnam grew up surrounded by Modified racing in Connecticut. He spent most of his early years at the track.
“Growing up in Connecticut, (Modifieds) were the premier division in the Northeast. So I was a huge fan,” said the 55-year-old Putnam, who becomes the fifth series director in the history of the modern Tour. “I grew up at Stafford, Thompson and Waterford spending every race night there. I remember getting my first autograph at 6 years old at Thompson when I walked up to Fred DeSarro. I thought that was the coolest thing in the world.”
His involvement didn’t stop at watching. “I started sneaking into the pit area when I looked old enough,” Putnam admitted. “I helped out wiping down the car of Corky Cookman after races, and then I started working for Ed Spires, who was a local Danbury guy who raced at Stafford and Waterford weekly.”
He kept moving forward. “I helped Rod Spaulding on the Modified Tour in ’87 and ’88; then I got to know Charlie (Pasteryak) a little bit at Riverside Park. I helped Charlie at the races as a volunteer, and eventually the opportunity arose to actually go work for him and Carl in 1993.”
Later, Putnam reached a personal goal that started in childhood. “It was my lifelong dream to drive a Modified after growing up idolizing them,” he said. “The opportunity arose to buy one of Bob Garbarino’s old cars. I did that, put it together, put my seat in it, and went and tried it to make sure I could do it.”
“This opportunity came at the right time in my life and career,” Putnam said. “I’m super excited. This division has always been a passion of mine, from infancy, probably. I’m looking forward to this a lot.”
Putnam takes the role previously held by Jimmy Wilson, who led the tour for 12 years. Wilson had been promoted to Senior Technical Director for NASCAR Regional.
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