Derek Pernesiglio Files Entry For Thompson World Series
NASCAR on SPEED Reporter to Drive Family Ride
Charlotte, NC — The Thompson International Speedway has always held a special place in Derek Pernesiglio’s heart. He started attending races there as a little boy, he pit reported his very first NASACR race there and served as a track announcer ultimately springborading him to a motorsports television career. When the NASCAR on SPEED reporter isn’t traveling around the country talking about racecars, he’s driving them. In two week’s Pernesiglio will climb back behind the wheel of a winged NEMA Midget for this years Northeastern Midget Association portion of the Sunoco World Series of Speedway Racing at the Thompson International Speedway in Thompson, Connecticut.
Pernesiglio will drive for legendary NEMA car owner, and father “Mazda” Pete Pernesiglio. It will be the first time he’s driven a family owned ride in twelve years.
“I drove Paul Lugelle’s Lite car in last years World Series and the thrill of running Thompson rushed right back in again. said Pernesiglio. This year we’re coming back with a full-up midget and I’m excited about getting to drive.” The Sunoco World Series falls on October, 12th, 13th and 14th. but in the months preceding, Pernesiglio has been sticking to his open-wheel roots racing in the Mini Outlaw Series close to his Charlotte, North Carolina home. “The Mini Outlaws are fun, said Pernesiglio. “They have a hundred horsepower and weigh about three hundred and fifty pounds. They’re light, snappy little cars like a midget and we race on dirt. I really feel racing on dirt lately will help me on pavement.”
For the event Pernesiglio will carry sponsorship from No Regrets Tattooing and “TV” Tim Productions. “I can’t thank Dave Shore and “TV” Tim Deroin enough, said the excited pit reporter. Dave has always been great to my family and helped Dad before. Tim Deroin is the director of our NASCAR K&N Pro Series races on SPEED and he’s also raced Modifieds at Riverside Park and part time on the Tour back in the day, he’s a racer so he get’s it.”
When asked about his performance in the event, the pit reporter/part-time driver sounded confident. “The big difference this year is that I’ve been racing weekly,” said Pernesiglio. “Last year I hopped in the car cold, I hadn’t driven a midget in ten years…this year I feel better prepared.”
Known as the “Indianapolis of the East” the Sunoco World Series falls on October 12th, 13th and 14th and has been the grand fall finale of racing events in the Northeast hosting sixteen divisions of racing from the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour and International Supermodified Association to the NEMA Midgets, Pro 4 Modifieds and stock cars. The NASCAR K&N Pro Series races can be seen every Thursday at 3pm Eastern standard time, 12pm noon Pacific on SPEED Channel.
For more information on the Sunoco World Series of Speedway racing visit www.thompsonspeedway.com
For more information on the Northeastern Midget Association visit www.nemaracing.com
For more information on the NASCAR K&N Pro Series visit www.nascarhometracks.com
Sources:Chris Reed/Derek Pernesiglio