Derek Ramstrom, Rowan Pennink, Ryan Vanasse and Rick Martin pick up DAV Fall Classic wins
Seekonk, MA — In the 100 lap marathon known as the Pro Stock main, W. Boylston’s Derek Ramstrom went on and introduces himself to Seekonk Speedway Victory Lane at the historic 1/3 mile oval. Dave Darling jumped from his third starting position into the lead before lap one was complete, and held on through the first 27 laps until he ran over some debris under caution and cut down a right rear tire, handing the lead over to Ramstrom. Once out front, Ramstrom, who was biding his time over the early laps, never looked back.
With Derek setting the pace, the action was going on behind him. Craig Weinstein ran second for much of the middle portion of the event, with Mike Brightman behind. They ran that way until Darling worked his way back through the field into second on the 53rd lap. He shadowed the leader, but could not get close enough to make a challenge. Over the last quarter of the event, Dick Houlihan was able to make up for some lost time, and moved into the second spot, where he followed Ramstrom across the line. Darling finished third with Brightman and Elmer Wing fourth and fifth.
Rowan Pennink of Huntington Valley, PA became the ninth different winner in 9 events at the DAV Fall Classic for the Valenti Modified Racing Series, as he picked up the win in the rain shortened event. Pennink started on the point and led every lap of the event. Geoff Gernhard ran second for a dozen laps before Steve Masse, who has several runner up finishes at Seekonk, moved into second. Gernhard held onto third until Vinnie and Todd Annarummo moved past around the 21st lap. Todd moved past the 6 time Seekonk champ into third and started chasing down the leaders.
[Photo Gallery] by Nicholas Teto
With the weather coming in, getting to the front was paramount, and the second generation Annarummo was doing all he could to get there, but under a lap 53 caution the skies opened up and halted the 100 lap race, with officials calling it complete. Les Hinckley had just moved into fourth before that caution, moving Gernhard to fifth in the final running order.
Ryan Vanasse took some time to compete with the Late Models in the 50 lap feature, and took home his third DAV Fall Classic trophy. Ryan won his qualifier and started on the outside of the front row. He battled with 2012 LM champ Gerry DeGasparre wheel to wheel for several laps before he was able to slide down in front. Once out front, there was clear race track in front of him. Gerry tried to battle back through several restarts, but could not hang on. Bill Bernard, who finished the season with back to back wins, took over second after a lap 16 restart. Several times he tried to make a pass, but would fall victim to a caution, forcing him to try again. Eventually, he ran out of laps, and had to settle for second.
Scott McMichaels swapped the third position with DeGasparre until Mike Cavallaro made his presence known over the final 15 laps. He moved past McMichaels and Gerry over the final laps, moving into third with five laps remaining, where he ended in the final rundown. DeGasparre and Jeramee Lillie rounded out the top five.
Rick Martin added yet another DAV Fall Classic trophy to his collection, as he picked up the Sport Truck 30 lap win. Ron Cornell led the first lap before
Martin took control. Mike Cavallaro moved into second and pressured Martin for several laps before he and Barry Shaw got together, forcing the 5 time champion to the sidelines for the remainder of the event.
Billy Clarke took over second and stayed there for a handful of laps before Nick Uhrig moved into second with a dozen laps remaining and tried to put some pressure on The Radical One, but with no avail. Over the final ten laps, Shaw worked his way back onto the leader board, and took over the third position, but could not close in enough on the top two, and held on for third. Lenny Guy and Anna Gregoire finished fourth and fifth.
** After post-race tech, Uhrig was removed from the finishing order, moving Darryl Church into the top five.
Sources: Kevin Boucher/Seekonk Speedway PR