Home Sweet Home For Annarummo at Seekonk
Seekonk, MA — Long-time racer Vinnie Annarummo once declared in victory lane following a Valenti Modified Racing Series win, “This Is My Home.” Son Todd showed Saturday night he could also lay claim that Seekonk Speedway is his home turf too. The Swansea, MA, driver nabbed his first victory of the season winning the ‘Valenti Auto Group 100’ at the historic Massachusetts oval. The victory was Annarummo’s second series win.
Annarummo started fourth in a 24-car field, moved into third in the early going behind leaders Rob Goodenough, of Swanzey, NH, and Richard Savary, of Canton, MA, then took the top spot from Savary on lap 31.
Chris Pasteryak, of Lisbon, CT, chased the leader, Savary took his turn for 38-laps, then a hard charging Steven Masse, of Bellingham, MA, tried his best to the checkered flag. Masse lead lap-88 only to be passed by a more dominant Annarummo.
Annarummo had a plan in place when then race went green. “I just wanted to get out front and run my race. It was going to take a lot to beat me. It was probably going to have to be in the infield,” he said with a smile.
In the closing laps, the leaders came upon a handful of slower cars that brought Masse and Savary within striking distance. “Not again,” Annarummo reasoned. “Two races so far here. Lapped traffic cost me wins here. I was very patient this time. I had to deal with the cars behind me but I needed to deal with the cars in front of me first.”
Runner-up Masse knew he was in Annarummo country. “My crew gave me a great car. It was real fast. Tightened up a bit. Can’t be ashamed getting beat by the (12) here. He knows the track well. I’ll take second place to him any day.”
With is five-month-old son watching Dad race for the first time, early leader Savary was pleased with his podium finish.” We had a really good car most of the day. On that second or third restart the clutch started slipping. No excuses. I couldn’t step on the gas. I had to just ride. Cautions were killing me. I couldn’t shift and I couldn’t go full throttle. Happy to bring the car home third.”
Tommy Barrett, of Millis, MA, finished fourth with Louie Mechilides, of Tyngsboro, MA, rounding out the top five.
Max Zachem, Rowan Pennink, Todd Patnode, Chris Pasteryak, and Norm Wrenn, finished sixth through tenth.
Despite eight caution flags, the race was completed in 51 minutes with 15 of the original 24 starters finishing on the lead lap. For the second consecutive race, 32 race teams entered the event.
Heat winners were; Barrett, Pennink, and Savary, with Dana Smith winning the 13-car consolation race.
A busy week coming up for the VMRS as the three-time postponed race at Thompson CT Speedway is scheduled for Thursday, August 22, and a return to Monadnock NH Speedway on Saturday, August 24.
Race No.10 of 17- Seekonk Speedway
Entrants: 32 (24 starters)
Distance: 100 laps
Time of Race: 51:31.084
Best Lap Time: 12.229 (T.Annarummo)
Lead Changes: 4 (among 3 drivers)
Lap Leaders: Goodenough 1-10, Savary 11-31, Annarummo 32-87, Masse 88, Annarummo (89-100)
Cautions: 8 on laps-5, 8,26,36,82,82,84,88
Order of Finish; (1) Annarummo, (2) Masse, (3) Savary, (4) Barrett, (5) Mechalides, (6) Zachem, (7) Pennink, (8) Patnode, (9) Chris Pasteryak, (10) Wrenn, (11) Iannarelli, (12) Jarvis, (13) Holdridge, (14) Schneider, (15) Smith, (16) Pearl, (17) Mead, (18) Fifield, (19) Nocella, (20) Goodenough, (21) Barnett, (22) Spiers, (23) Houlihan, (24) Kopec.
Sources: John Spence, Sr./VMRS PR