Modified Racing Series Point Leader Rowan Pennink Ready for Inaugural Lincoln Tech 80 at Stafford Speedway
Stafford Springs, CT — The Modified Racing Series will make its second ever visit to Stafford Speedway on June 24th for the Lincoln Tech MRS 80 and leading the way will be Rowan Pennink. The former Stafford SK Modified® Rookie of the Year is the current Modified Racing Series points leader with a win and three top-6 finishes in the first three races of the 2011 season. Pennink finished third in the MRS’ debut at Stafford last season, and with two second place finishes in the first two Whelen Modified Tour events of 2011 at Stafford, Pennink is looking forward to returning to the Connecticut half-mile.
“I’m definitely looking forward to coming back to Stafford,” said Pennink. “My car owner Gary Casella and Bob Hampton built a new car for this season and it was fast right out of the box at Waterford. We won the last race at Twin State, so we’re excited about our chances at Stafford.”
Last season’s MRS debut at Stafford saw Pennink finish third behind Ted Christopher and Ronnie Silk. All three drivers are Whelen Modified Tour regulars and they also have had SK Modified® experience at Stafford, which Pennink says gave them a slight advantage over the MRS regulars at Stafford.
“It helps to have as much track time as you can at a track,” said Pennink. “I think we definitely have an advantage when we race at Stafford, we race there all the time with the tour. Stafford isn’t a track that you can just show up at and be quick, it takes some seat time to get used to the track and be able to get around fast. Teddy won last year, Ronnie Silk was second and I was third, so I think that experience really showed in the race last year. I imagine it will be the same guys running up front this year that we will have to work on in order to win the race.”
While Pennink currently holds the MRS points lead, victory lane has proved to be an elusive place for Pennink to reach in 2011. He has three second place finishes in three events with his Whelen Modified Tour car and he finished 4th at Waterford and then 6th at Monadnock before finally breaking through and winning the MRS event at Twin State Speedway. Pennink has his sights set on winning at Stafford, which he says would be huge for him and his team.
“Winning at Stafford would mean a lot,” said Pennink. “We ran well in the 25 car last year at Stafford, and we have two second place finishes with the 93 car this year, but we haven’t been able to nail one down at Stafford yet. I can’t complain with finishing second, but when we have finished second three times in a row, it’s like we can’t get that one final spot to win. Hopefully we can keep on running well when we come to Stafford and hopefully a win will come for us.”
Tickets for the Inaugural Lincoln Tech MRS 80 event at Stafford Motor Speedway are on sale now and are priced at $25.00 for Adult General Admission, $5.00 for Children Ages 6-14 General Admission, $28.00 for Reserved Seating, and $40.00 for Pit Passes. Tickets can be ordered by calling the Stafford Motor Speedway track office at 860-684-2783.
For more information, contact the Stafford Motor Speedway track office at 860-684-2783 or visit us on the web at www.staffordspeedway.com.
Sources: Scott Running/Stafford Motor Speedway PR