Valenti Modified Series Title Decided at Thompson Saturday
Canaan, NH — Another Valenti Modified Racing Series Championship goes down to the wire in this weekend’s season finale at Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park and the ‘Sunoco World Series of Speedway Racing presented by Xtramart’.
Justin Bonsignore, of Holtsville, New York, thanks to a second place finish at Lee, New Hampshire, last weekend, takes a 37-point lead into Thompson ahead of reigning champion Rowan Pennink, of Huntingdon Valley, Pennsylvania.
Pennink had a strong racecar at Lee but fell to the wayside with ignition problems.
Bonsignore and Pennink were tied after qualifying races at Lee. Now the focus is on the famed Connecticut oval.
Bonsignore completes his first full season with the VMRS and Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park is the stage for a possible title.
“It’s going to be a big weekend. Its unfortunate the #25 (Pennink) had his issues. We’ve had our fair share this year. It’s nice to go there with a little bit of breathing room. Anything can happen. We’re going to try and get Art Barry another championship. It would be a huge honor to win a championship for Art,” said Bonsignore.
Pennink, who had a solid season in a brand new Gary Casella mount, is not out of it mathematically. He’ll need some things to happen in his favor and is looking forward to the weekend.
“Excited to go to Thompson. I think we had the car to beat at Lee until the motor shut off. (Ignition) Looking forward to Thompson. Planning on running three divisions, Pennink said.
Two-time series Champion Chris Pasteryak, of Jewett City, Connecticut, sits third in the standings. The second-generation driver had a solid season, some tough breaks along the way, and had he found victory lane a couple of times, might have been in position for a title. The optimistic Pasteryak still hopes to wrap up the season strong.
“It’s going to be a fun weekend. I’m out of it for the title. We still got a shot at second. We’ll see what happens.”
Only 7-points separate Pasteryak and Richard Savary.
Savary, a four-time winner this season, and a winner at Thompson last year, welcomes the opportunity to return this weekend.
“I think personally Thompson is the Super Bowl for the MRS Series. It’s the biggest track and fastest track. A win at Thompson makes the year for me. The short tracks are fun and exciting but I like the bigger tracks. Every year I look at the calendar and was disappointed we only went to Thompson twice, I like it that much.”
The VMRS completes its eleventh season on Saturday.
Sources: John Spence, Sr./VMRS PR