Pennink Wins Lee, Pasteryak Claims VMRS Title
Lee, NH — Rowan Pennink of Huntingdon Valley, PA., started ninth in a 24 field, took the lead on lap 61, and went on to win the “Oktoberfest 100” Valenti Modified Racing Series event, Sunday afternoon, at Lee USA Speedway, Lee, NH.
The win was Pennink’s second this season and his fourth career VMRS victory. Pennink also becomes the seventh different driver in seven seasons to win the fall finale.
Les Hinckley III, of Windsor Locks, CT., started the race from the third position, jumped into the lead, and held it until the 61st circuit.. When Pennink took command, Hinckley chased after the new race leader for the final 39 laps.
“The car was unstoppable all day. I have to thank my team,” Pennink said.“ We don’t normally run good here at Lee. I think we might have figured something out. I hope Gary (car owner-Casella) can get it the same next year.”
Norman Wrenn, of Nashua, NH., ran a strong race and finished third with Rob Goodenough, of Swanzey, NH., fourth, and Matt Hirschman, of Northampton, PA.,fifth.
Jimmy Kuhn, W.Bridgewater, MA., Dwight Jarvis, Ascutney, VT., Max Zachem, Preston, CT., Chris Pasteryak, Lisbon, CT., and Kenny Barry, also of Preston, rounded out the top ten.
Pasteryak, the 2008 series champion, won his second title topping Hinckley by 14 points. Pennink finished third in the points followed by Mike Holdridge, of Manchester, CT., and Wrenn fifth, for his best points tally to date.
Three caution flags slowed the race, which took 39:04 to complete.
Barry, Pasteryak, and Holdridge won qualifying heats. Hirschman won the consolation race.
Race Summary
October 23, 2011
Lee USA (NH) Speedway
Distance: 100-laps
Time of Race: 39:04:469
Best Lap Time: 15.022
Best Speed: 89.868 (Masse)
Margin of Victory: 2.688
Lead Changes: 1 (Lap 61)
Lap Leaders: Hinckley (1-61) Pennink (62-100)
Cautions: Lap 31, 31, 82
Unofficial Finish: (1) Pennink (2) Hinckley (3) Wrenn (4) Goodenough (5) Hirschman (6) Kuhn (7) D. Jarvis (8) Zachem (9) Pasteryak (10) Barry (11) Hold ridge (12) Seuss (13) Savary (14) Mechalides (15) Doucette (16) J. Jarvis (17) Dore (18) Dolan (19) Lashua (20) Fellows (21) Jordan (22) Masse (23) Emerling (73) McKennedy.
Points:(1) Pasteryak (608) (2) Hinckley (594) (3) Pennink (487) (4) Holdridge (449) (5) Wrenn (418) (6) Mechalides (390) (7) Goodenough (377) (8) D.Jarvis (371) (9) Doucette (350) (10) Zachem (334)
Sources: John Spence, Sr./VMRS PR