Pennink Puts Ole Blue Back into Victory Lane

First Points Win for Iconic Whelen Modified Team Since 2009

THOMPSON, Conn. (April 9, 2017) – Rowan Pennink outdueled Bobby Santos on a restart with three laps to go and drove on to victory in the Icebreaker 150 at Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park.

Sunday marked the third career victory for Pennink, and first since the 2013 season, which also came at Thompson. It was also the first points race victory for the famed “Ole Blue” No. 3 Cape Cod Copper Chevrolet since 2009. The Boehler Racing team, which has six NASCAR Modified championships, is celebrating its 60th season.

Coors Light Polesitter Timmy Solomito rallied in the closing laps to finish second and Max Zachem crossed the line third. Santos, who was leading the race on the Lap 147 restart, settled for fourth with Patrick Emerling fifth.

Eric Goodale, Matt Swanson, Woody Pitkat, Justin Bonsignore and Todd Szegedy brought home the top 10.

Pennink led a race-high 109 laps. The race was slowed by caution five times for 35 laps.

Solomito leads Pennink by four points (90-80) in the championship standings after two races, and Zachem is third — 10 points back of Solomito.

The Whelen Modified Tour will return to action April 30 at Stafford (Connecticut) Motor Speedway.

NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour-Icebreaker 150 Results
Saturday
At Thompson International Speedway
Thompson, Conn.
Lap length: 0.625 miles
(Start position in parentheses)
1. (4) Rowan Pennink, Huntingdon Valley, Pa., Chevrolet, 150 laps, 67.111 mph.
2. (1) Timmy Solomito, Islip, N.Y., Ford, 150.
3. (13) Max Zachem, Preston, Conn., Chevrolet, 150.
4. (8) Bobby Santos, Franklin, Mass., Chevrolet, 150.
5. (9) Patrick Emerling, Orchard Park, NY, Chevrolet, 150.
6. (12) Eric Goodale, Riverhead, N.Y., Chevrolet, 150.
7. (19) Matt Swanson, Acton, Mass., Ford, 150.
8. (16) Woody Pitkat, Stafford, Conn., Chevrolet, 150.
9. (11) Justin Bonsignore, Holtsville, NY, Chevrolet, 150.
10. (15) Todd Szegedy, Ridgefield, Conn., Chevrolet, 150.
11. (14) Dave Sapienza, Riverhead, N.Y., Chevrolet, 150.
12. (10) Brendon Bock, Franklin Square, N.Y., Chevrolet, 149.
13. (21) Ron Silk, Norwalk, CT, Chevrolet, 149.
14. (23) Kyle Ellwood, Riverhead, N.Y., Chevrolet, 147.
15. (28) Bryan Dauzat, Alexandria, LA., Chevrolet, 147.
16. (22) Andrew Krause, Holmdel, N.J., Chevrolet, 146.
17. (6) Andy Seuss, Hampstead, N.H., Chevrolet, 144, accident.
18. (26) Calvin Carroll, Newton, N.J., Chevrolet, 144.
19. (5) Craig Lutz, Miller Place, N.Y., Chevrolet, 143, accident.
20. (25) Wade Cole, Hartland, Conn., Chevrolet, 143.
21. (24) Brad Vanhouten, Riverhead, N.Y., Chevrolet, 141, accident.
22. (31) Walter Sutcliffe Jr., East Haven, Conn., Chevrolet, 141.
23. (29) Melissa Fifield, Wakefield, N.H., Chevrolet, 141.
24. (18) Jimmy Blewett, Howell, N.J., Chevrolet, 134, accident.
25. (2) Chase Dowling, Roxbury, Conn., Chevrolet, 133, electrical.
26. (27) Gary McDonald, Ronkonkoma, N.Y., Chevrolet, 125.
27. (20) Rob Summers, Manchester, CT, Chevrolet, 119, rear end.
28. (17) Ryan Preece, Berlin, Conn., Chevrolet, 58.
29. (7) Shawn Solomito, Islip, N.Y., Chevrolet, 56, accident.
30. (30) Gary Byington, Unionville, Conn., Chevrolet, 31, handling.
31. (3) Doug Coby, Milford, Conn., Chevrolet, 1, accident.

Race Statistics
Time of Race: 1 hour 23 minutes 49 seconds
Margin of Victory: 0.813 seconds
Fastest Qualifier: T.Solomito (119.250 mph, 18.868 seconds)
Caution Flags: 5 for 35 laps.
Lead Changes: 4 among 4 drivers.
Lap Leaders: T. Solomito 1-20; R. Pennink 21-126; R. Silk 127-134; B. Santos 135-147; R. Pennink 148-150.
Standings: 1. T. Solomito, 90; 2. R. Pennink, 86; 3. M. Zachem, 80; 4. J. Bonsignore, 73; 5. W. Pitkat, 72; 6. M. Swanson, 70; 7. A. Seuss, 69; 8. E. Goodale, 64; 9. R. Summers, 61; 10. R. Silk, 60.

https://soundcloud.com/nascarhometracks/nwmt-thompson-winner-rowan-pennink

https://soundcloud.com/nascarhometracks/nwmt-thompson-runner-up-timmy-solomito

https://soundcloud.com/nascarhometracks/nwmt-thompson-third-place-max-zachem

Sources: Jason Christley/NASCAR IMC

NWMT Thompson 4/9/17 Results
Whelen Modified Tour
Race: NWMT Thompson 4/9/17

RACE STATISTICS
Fastest Qualifier: Timmy Solomito, Time: 18.868 Seconds, Speed: 119.250 mph
Time of Race: 1 hrs., 23 mins, 49 secs Average Speed: 67.111 mph Margin of Victory: 0.813 Seconds
Caution Flags: Laps 1-8; 58-65; 123-131; 136-143; 145-146.  5 for 35 laps.
Lap Leaders: Timmy Solomito 1-20, Rowan Pennink 21-126, Ron Silk 127-134, Bobby Santos 135-147, Rowan Pennink 148-150.
Total Laps Led: Rowan Pennink 109, Timmy Solomito 20, Bobby Santos 13, Ron Silk 8.  4 changes involving 4 drivers.

CONTINGENCY AWARDS
Coca-Cola Move of the Race Award – Car #97 Bryan Dauzat
Coors Light Pole Award – Car #16 Timmy Solomito Hoosier Tire Lap Leader award – Car #3 Rowan Pennink
Hoosier Tire Fastest Lap Award – Car #15 Chase Dowling
Hoosier Tire Most Improved Award – Car #39 Calvin Carroll
Whelen Engineering Winner of the Race – Car #3 Rowan Pennink
Top 10 Driver Points: Timmy Solomito 90, Rowan Pennink 86, Max Zachem 80, Justin Bonsignore 73, Woody Pitkat 72, Matt Swanson 70, Andy Seuss 69, Eric Goodale 64, Rob Summers 61, Ron Silk 60
Next Race: Stafford Speedway, April 30
* Denotes Sunoco Rookie of the Year contender

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