By Phil Whipple,Staff Writer

LOUDON, N.H. – Two Nextel Cup stars competed in the Whelen Modified Tour’s New England 100 Saturday afternoon on the Magic Mile.

Reigning champion Tony Stewart and Roush Racing driver Carl Edwards both climbed into the open-wheel ranks for a hard-charging, bump-drafting good time. Stewart had the NHIS crowd on his feet as he quickly made his way from the 21st starting position up through the field. He hit pit road for service on lap 42, then started a march back towards the front.

With a series of moves nobody else would dare make, Stewart powered his way into the third position with 10 laps to go. With four laps remaining, he made a huge bid for the lead going down the backstretch, only to make contact with leader Reggie Ruggiero. His car came away unscathed but the incident cost him a chance at victory. Stewart was listed in ninth place in the rundown.

Edwards’ day came to an abrupt end on lap 42 when he made contact with another car, causing heavy damage to the right-front corner of his Bodine Bobsled-sponsored machine. The damage was too severe to repair, so the NASCAR star pulled the No. 50 entry into the garage area early. Edwards starts 17th in today’s Lenox Industrial Tools 300, while Stewart starts fifth.

Petty’s camp gets boost

Two-time and defending Nextel Cup Series champion Stewart has a big heart. Just ask Kyle and Pattie Petty, the most recent recipients of his immense generosity.

Stewart announced his foundation’s second donation of a million dollars to the Victory Junction Gang Camp. Located in Randelman, N.C., the camp is dedicated to creating empowering experiences for children ages 7 to 15 with chronic or life-threatening illnesses.

“I really admire Kyle and Pattie for the people they are and for the work that they do,” said Stewart. “The Victory Junction Gang Camp was their idea, and they’ve done so much to make it happen.”

Toyota in his future?

Nextel Cup series regular Jeremy Mayfield has been offered a ride with Michael Waltrip’s start-up Toyota team for 2007. Mayfield currently drives the No. 19 Dodge Dealers/UAW Dodge Charger for Evernham Motorsports. Waltrip says an announcement on Mayfield will come within the next week or two.

“It’s more the ball is in his court,” said Waltrip. “We’ve got a lot going on next week. We’re going to Atlanta to do some stuff with UPS and Aarons. Hopefully, it will come together soon, and as soon as it does we’ll let the world know.”

Mayfield, who has a year, plus two option years left in his contract with Evernham, has expressed frustration with his team’s performance this season. He currently sits 32nd in the points standings after making the Chase for the Nextel Cup the last two years.

East drivers move up

NASCAR Busch East series regulars Matt Kobyluck and Joey McCarthy both competed in Saturday’s New England 200 Busch series event.

McCarthy, of Randolph, N.J., started shotgun on the 43-car field and completed just 16 laps due to mechanical problems.

Kobyluck, of Uncasville, Conn., pulled his Mohegan Sun Casino-sponsored machine into the garage area on lap 35 with mechanical trouble after struggling in the early going. Kobyluck has one victory to his credit thus far in the 2006 Busch East Series season.