Pennink Takes Point Lead into Stafford Speedway Friday Night
Canaan, N.H. — Reigning Valenti Modified Racing Series Champion Rowan Pennink, of Huntingdon Valley, Pennsylvania, sits atop the point standings when the series returns to Stafford Motor Speedway, Stafford, Connecticut, Friday night, July 18.
The race, the fourth annual ‘Lincoln Tech 80’ is the 9th race of the 17-race schedule.
Pennink moved into the point lead after a fourth place finish last weekend at Monadnock Speedway, Winchester, N.H., where he claimed his only win this season, in April.
The standings have taken on a different look at the half way mark of the 2014 campaign.
Consistency has kept Chris Pasteryak, of Lisbon, CT, the two-time series Champion, in the hunt since the outset, and a solid runner-up finish at Monadnock has put the second generation driver back in second place only four points behind Pennink.
Another picture of consistent, Justin Bonsignore, of Holtsville, N.Y, is only six points back in the standings in his first full year with the VMRS. Bonsignore has knocked on the door several times this season seeking his first win. He enters the halfway point of the schedule a candidate for a series title.
Todd Szegedy, of Ridgefield, CT., slipped from leading the standings to fourth place after a tough outing at Monadnock and a 20th place finish. Szegedy will be right at home at Stafford. He was victorious there last month.
And the plot thickens with the veteran Richard Savary, of Canton, MA, red-hot with three wins and now fifth in the standings after a slow start.
Savary heads to Stafford with back-to-back wins at Lee and Monadnock. He won the May race at Seekonk.
Inaugural Lincoln Tech 80 winner Ted Christopher, of Plainville, CT., is a confirmed entry. Also expected is Steven Masse, of Bellingham, MA, Anthony Nocella, of Woburn, MA, Connecticut drivers, Max Zachem, of Preston, and Dave Etheridge, of Portland, and ‘Mr. Rooter’ Rookie of the Year point leader, Mike Willis Jr of Grantham, NH.
Tommy Barrett, of Millis, MA, a two-time series winner at Stafford, is also expected to compete.
34 cars entered the event last year. Another strong turnout is anticipated.
Qualifying races start at 6:15 P.M.
Notice To All VMRS Teams: Anyone needing ID cards or replacement ID cards need to email a list of names to the series. Please include in the email if you wish to have the cards mailed to you or pick them up at the Waterford race.
The series office email is: modifiedracingseries1@hotmail.com.
If you have any questions, please contact the office at (603) 523-1179 during normal business hours.
4th Annual Lincoln Tech VMRS 80 Modified Racing Series Event
Stafford Motor Speedway, Stafford Springs, CT
Modified Racing Series: 80-Laps
Modified Racing Series Practice Begins @ 3:15 PM
Modified Racing Series Practice Ends@ 4:05 PM
Modified Racing Series Qualifying Heats – 12-Laps @ 6:15 PM
Modified Racing Series Driver Autograph Session @ 7:30 PM
*** Competitors Please Plan to Attend Autograph Session ***
Sources: John Spence, Sr./VMRS PR