Pennink’s New CD
New Campaign includes VMRS, Stafford Events
Changes are underway for Rowan Pennink’s NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour program. Pennink will be driving a Chassis Dynamics car with help from some familiar people. Mike Paquette’s chassis will be housed at the Hitchcock’s race shop with Crew Chief Jimmy Fuller. Pennink owns the engines.
“We’re going to be running the tour with a kind of new team deal,” Pennink said. “It will be a little bit different than last year.”
“It’s been awhile since anyone reputable has been in a CD car and really put a good effort into it. So with a couple of new chassis builders being out there, we’re going to try something a little different here, and give it a shot. I think it’s going to be pretty good.”
Pennink has started 111 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour events since 2007. His most recent victory was the 2013 World Series at Thompson. The team has struggled to find consistency. While Pennink had strong runs, the team suffered misfortune while in contention.
“We’ve just been going been kind of doing the same thing since we started running the tour. We’ve had a couple of different crew chiefs here and there, but overall it’s been kind of the same deal and we’ve always run good. We’ve had fast cars, we’ve had not so fast cars, we’ve won a couple of races, but we’re looking to be a little bit better and see if we can win more races. That’s what really what we want to do is win more races and so we’re going to try something different this year.”
The No. 93 had three DNF’s and skipped two races last season. The team has shown improvement since returning at New Hampshire, with three consecutive top tens. A third at Thompson matched his best finish of the season.
“It’s frustrating and that’s why we’re moving towards a little bit of change here and see if that can’t put us where we need to be.”
The Huntingdon Valley, PA driver has a busy season ahead of him. He will return to Kelly Iverson’s Monk’s Mechanic Hand Wipes No. 89 car full-time at Stafford Motor Speedway.
“We’re going to just focus on trying to start off this coming season where we left off last season, and hopefully it’ll turn out to be a good year.”
Pennink is part of the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour contingent that frequent the SK Modifieds, the premier NASCAR Whelen All-American Series division at Stafford. Reigning Valenti Modified Racing Series champion Justin Bonsignore, along with rookies Mike Christopher, Jr. and Branden Dion will join the fray.
“The more competition the better. They run a great show up there at Stafford and it’s really tough to win up there. But I can’t wait to get back racing up there and see if we can’t put the 99 in victory lane some more this year.”
Pennink finished tenth in the SK Modified standings last year, despite missing two races. He won five times, including the inaugural NAPA SK 5K 100-lapper.
“It was a really prestigious race and everyone was real excited leading up to that race. And it was one on the schedule everyone wanted to win and with the great help of Jimmy, Bob and Kelly, and all the guys on the 99 team we were able to get it done. I was really proud for the team.”
Pennink will pilot the familiar Casella Automotive machine for Gary and Kim Casella once again. “I’m excited to run those new tracks (Devil’s Bowl) and go back to places that we’ve won (Claremont and Oxford).
Roscoe Racing won the 2013 Valenti Modified Racing Series title with Pennink behind the wheel. Pennink ended the Valenti Modified Racing Series year with a podium finish for the fourth consecutive season. Pennink had one win (Monadnock), nine top fives and 13 top tens in 17 races. He was second in the standings with four finishes outside the top 15. In three of those events, eventual champion Bonsignore finished second.
“We had a bunch of times that we struggled and weren’t as fast as we’d like to be, but I think we’re going to see if we can work on some of that stuff over the winter here and come back next year stronger than ever.”
“Gary’s always had good equipment and good people working on his car. It’s more like we just haven’t hit it right on the head as far as getting the car right at each track, so I think we can improve on that. I know Gary’s working on it and going to see if we can become more familiar again with the 25 again in victory lane as well.”
Sources: Nicholas Teto/YankeeRacer.com