Vinny Annarummo, Seekonk Speedway Legend, Wall of Fame Member, Passes Away
SEEKONK, Mass. — Seekonk Speedway is saddened to share the news that Vinny Annarummo, a Seekonk Wall of Fame member and six-time track champion, has passed away.
Annarummo, better known to many race fans and competitors he raced against as “Vinny Who”, was the first driver in the history of Seekonk Speedway to win six championships. He actually captured the nickname “Vinny Who” from NASCAR Hall of Fame Modified champion Richie Evans, who raced against him at Seekonk.
Annarummo’s first Seekonk title came in 1973, when he won the Class B championship. He followed it up by winning multiple Pro Stock titles, where he really captured a ton of wins at Seekonk. Annarummo’s first Pro Stock title came in 1990 and he followed it up with more in 1992, 1993, 2004, and 2005, driving the familiar yellow and black No. 11. As part of his titles in 2004 and 2005, Annarummo was also honored nationally, celebrating the NASCAR championship in Nashville, Tennessee.
“Every championship is special, and any time an honor like this comes along it’s definitely a thrill,” he said back in 2005. “The NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series national banquet is really something. Everything is done just perfectly. It was really an honor for us to represent Seekonk Speedway in Nashville.”
Annarummo also competed in Modifieds at Seekonk, and finally broke-through, going to victory lane in June of 2007 in a True Value Modified Racing Series event. He followed it up by capturing the famed “Open Wheel Wednesday” in 2007, collecting a $10,000 check. Years later, his son, Todd, also captured Open Wheel Wednesday’s top honors. The Annarummo father and son combination are the first to both capture the big win. They raced together, against each other, and worked with each other to share in success, for many years.
Vinny was inducted into the Seekonk Speedway Wall of Fame in 2018 and also the New England Auto Racing Hall of Fame one year later in 2019. He was inducted into the Seekonk Wall of Fame with his friend and fellow competitor, Ed St. Angelo. Angelo also introduced Vinny for his New England Auto Hall of Fame induction.
Seekonk Speedway is saddened to hear of the loss of a track great like Vinny Annarummo. His dedication to the sport of short-track racing was immense, even after he stopped driving – continuously helping others at every chance he had. The track sends condolences to his entire family and friends for their loss.
Godspeed, Vinny Who.
Sources: SeekonkSpeedway.com