Bob Valenti Modified Racing Series Makes an Appearance at Monadnock
Winchester, NH — The Bob Valenti Auto Mall Modified Racing Series made it’s first of two appearances at Monadnock Speedway this past weekend. Dwight Jarvis out of Ascutney, VT took down the win after starting in the 17th position. Jarvis’s night did not start off so well as he ran into problems in the heat. He made the race through the consi. Jim Boniface out of Winchester, NH dominated most of the race but with 24 laps to go. Jarvis made the pass and did not look back. Ken Barry started from the pole and led six laps then Boniface took the lead. Les Hinckley took the lead from Boniface and led one lap until he had problems with the Chuck Montville machine only leading one lap. Boniface would lead for the next 40 laps. “I started in the main and the car was just awesome and I knew it was going to be a good car for the whole race.” Jarvis Stated
Jacob Dore out of Sanford, ME brought home his machine in second place. Dore is a 2nd year driver. For the 05 team, it was a long night. Dore started mid-pack. “We were all over the place. Position wise just trying to hold our ground. It was real aggressive out there. I think everybody played it kind of clean.”
Jim Boniface came home with a third place run after leading much of the race. “It was actually pretty good. Car was real fast. At the beginning we just took off and left everybody. Probably wrong on my part. I probably should of cooled a bit and saved my tires for the end because we didn’t have nothing left at the end. We were just hanging on.” Boniface was happy to take home the third place finish. Boniface is planning to run some events and is also focusing on the Monadnock Modified division. That division runs every other week.
One of the many new comers to the series this season is David Crammer out of North Hanover, NJ. Crammer has run in the modified division down at his home track at Wall Stadium in New Jersey. When Crammer arrived at Monadnock he felt it was a lot different quarter mile then Wall Stadium. “It is the most unique track I have been on. It’s compares a little bit to Ace Speedway in North Carolina. The turns are completely different from one end to the other. When I looked at the pictures and looked at it online. I thought it was going to be a Wall Stadium with a little more banking but it’s no where near.” Crammer stated
Crammer goals for 2010 are to win a race and finish top 10 in points. Crammer failed to qualify for the race after being involved in an incident in his heat.
Norm Wrenn out of Nashua, NH is another new face this year. Wrenn has run Super Late Models at Thompson and is also the 2009 Pro 4 Modified Racing Series Champion. Wrenn will tell you there is no difference between running the Pro 4 Modified and a regular modified. “I thought it was going to be a lot more different. Pro 4 Modified actually goes as fast as a modified. The Pro 4’s goes the same times here (Monadnock) as the modifieds. Modifieds have more horsepower. Driving is not much difference at all” Wrenn is planning to run all the Series events.
One of the most biggest modified car owners was at Monadnock this past weekend. Art Barry is planning to field a car with his son Ken in it. Barry is not sure how many races the team will run. Barry is planning to run a modified at New Hampshire Motor Speedway with Jon McKennedy in the seat if sponsorship is found. “I like the guy. He’s a great driver. If we can put something together. We will definitely be at Loudon.
Barry has some excellent modified drivers in his seat over the years such as Mike McLaughlin, Mike Stefanik, Rick Fuller, George Summers, Mike Ewanitsko and many others. Barry won the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour championship with Mike Stefanik back in 2001. One of Barry’s favorite moments with Ewanitsko was winning at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
Rowan Pennink made the trip to run the 100 lap race after starting scratch. Pennink was down at Stafford running in the Spring Sizzler. Pennink finished fourth in that race. While Pennink was driving the tour race, Maine driver David Pinkham was on hand to practice and qualify the car. When Pennink took the green he came up to the front. He had an incident with Ken Barry where Pennink spun his car but came back to the front and finished 4th. “ Got to thank all my guys, Roscoe Racing, Gary Casella, Brian Crowley, couldn’t ask for a better car should of won but can’t get them every time.”
With the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour coming to Monadnock on July 17th. Pennink has gotten plenty of laps on the track. Pennink may compare some notes with the 25 car for his own car the 93 when the tour comes to the track.
Ken Barry came home with a seventh place finish. Barry struggled with the car when they loaded it off the truck. “We struggled a little bit. Come to find out we weren’t good as we needed to be. We probably should of finished a little better then we did but chalk it up.” The Barry family runs Spafco Chassis down in Connecticut. Barry is planning to run Albany-Saratoga, Airborne, and then if the team leaves the track in one piece, they will run Thunder Road. Barry is also planning on to be at Stafford and Thompson later this season.
The Bob Valenti Modified Racing Series will enjoy a couple weeks off before returning to Albany-Saratoga Speedway in Malta, NY on Friday May 21st for the make up date of the East vs. West Showdown with the Race of Champion Modified Series.