Pennink Rolls to Impressive VMRS Win in Thompson Opener
Thompson, CT. – With Thompson, Connecticut, temperatures in the mid 40’s, and wind chills feeling like mid-30 temperature’s, Rowan Pennink of New Egypt, New Jersey, held off a persistent Chase Dowling, of Roxbury, CT, to win the 50-lap season opener at Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park’s, 44th annual ‘Icebreaker Weekend.’ Pennink’s win was his 12th career victory and 4th Thompson win in Valenti Modified Racing Series competition.
Pennink’s win moved him into a 5th place tie with Chris Pasteryak, each now with a dozen series win.
The race was the first of the season for both the series and Pennink. Pennink underwent back surgery in January delaying the start of his season. Pennink last visited VMRS victory lane Sept 1, 2017 at Stafford CT.
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[04/07/2018] by Michael Rothwell
[04/08/2018] by Michael Rothwell
“This 25 team put another amazing car under me at Thompson Speedway. I can’t thank the Roscoe racing team enough. They did a great job on this car over the winter. I have to thank Pettit Racing Engines, Waddell Communications, Casella Snowplows, Brad (Lafontaine) from Northeast. Everyone who helps us out with this car.”
Reigning champion Anthony Nocella, of Woburn, MA, Woody Pitkat of Stafford, CT, and Sammy Rameau, of Westminster, MA, rounded out the top five. Rameau made a late race charge to finish fifth
Ontario, NY’s Tommy Catalano, in his first VMRS run was sixth, followed by Jeff Gallup, Feeding Hills, MA, Kyle Trayner, Marlborough, MA, Derek Robbie, Bellingham, MA, and Mike Willis Jr, Grantham, NH.
14 of the 26 cars in the starting field finished on the lead lap.
Heat winners were Pennink (1) Dowling (2) and Nocella (3)
Next Event:
Saturday April 21, 2018.
Monadnock Speedway
Winchester, NH.
Race Summary:
Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park
Thompson, CT
Race # 1
April 7, 2018
Entrants: 28
Distance: 50-laps
Margin of Victory: 0.567
Average Speed: 47.684
Best Lap Time: 19.124
Best Speed: 117.653 – – Richard Savary
Unofficial Order Of Finish: (1) Pennink, (2) Dowling, (3) Nocella, (4) Pitkat, (5) Rameau, (6) T. Catalano, (7) Gallup, (8) Trayner, (9) Robbie, (10) Willis Jr, (11) Savary, (12) Ricci, (13) Etheridge, (14) Lashua, (15) Sontag, (16) CJ Bolton, (17) Perry, (18) Masse, (19) Doucette, (20) Richardi, (21) Bloxzom, (22) Goodale, (23) Silk, (24) Medeiros Jr, (25) Rocco, (26) Seidell.
Sources: John Spence Sr./VMRS PR