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10/07/2012 |
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SEEKONK RAIN HELPS PENNINK CUT INTO POINT LEAD |
 Rowan
Pennink, of Huntingdon Valley, PA., knew he was looking at a possible 50 lap
race as brewing storms and winds circled the Seekonk (MA) Speedway, Saturday
afternoon, DAV Fall Classic. Turns out the Roscoe Racing Team made the right
call as a heavy downpour on lap 53 forced cancellation of the remaining
laps, giving Pennink the win in the Valenti Modified Racing Series event,
honoring the late race track owner D. Anthony Venditti Pennink becomes the
ninth different winner of the Fall event.
Pennink’s win, his sixth VMRS victory, is his first Seekonk victory, his
second victory this season, and he clipped 20 points off Jon McKennedy’s
point lead as the two battle it out for the series championship with two
races remaining. Pennink entered the day 57-points behind McKennedy. The
points now show McKennedy with 530 and Pennink with 493.
Pennink started on the pole and led the entire race receiving pressure early
on from Geoff Gernhard, of Salem, CT., Steven Masse, of Bellingham, MA.,
local driver Todd Annarummo, of Swansea, MA., and again from Masse laps
50-53 when the fifth caution flag was displayed then followed by a red flag
when the skies opened to end the event. With 53 laps completed the race by
rule is officially completed.
“I’ll take it rain or shine. They are not easy to get. Really happy to get
the win.” said Pennink. “The skies were darkening when we hit the race track
to take the green and we kind of figured it would be about a 50 lap race,”
He added, “it was our strategy to stay out front. There were a couple of
cars behind me that were looking strong. We protected the bottom and if they
wanted to pass it was going to be the hard way on the outside. Bob Katon
spotted for me and did a great job having me protect the bottom. It worked
out for us.”
The rains ended what was shaping up to be another classic finish at the
famed oval. Masse and Annarummo were strong with a hard charging Les
Hinckley, of Windsor Locks, CT., who started 13th and running fourth at lap
53, methodically working his way to the front. Hinckley returned to
competition for the first time since July 26.
Masse finished second, Annarummo third, Hinckley fourth, and Gerhard fifth.
Sixth through tenth were; rookie Mark Bakaj, of Lebanon, CT., Max Zachem, of
Preston, CT., Norm Wrenn, of Nashua NH., Tim Jordan, of Plainfield, CT., and
Jon McKennedy, of E. Chelmsford, MA.
33 race teams entered the annual event. 24 cars started the race with 18 on
the lead lap on lap 53.
Next Event: Saturday, October 13, at Thompson (CT) Speedway.
Race Summary:
Seekonk (MA) Speedway
Entrants: (33)
Distance: 100 laps
Time of Race: 34:29:905
Margin of Victory: 0.150
Best Lap Time: 12.228
Best Speed: 98.037 (V. Annarummo)
Lead Changes: 0
Lap Leaders: Pennink (1-53)
Order of Finish: (1) Pennink (2) Masse (3) T. Annarummo (4) Hinckley
(5) Gernhard (6) Bakaj (7) Zachem (8) Wrenn (9) Jordan (10) McKennedy (11)
Mechalides (12) Holdridge (13) Goodenough (14) Dolan (15) D. Jarvis (16)
Savary (17) Barnett (18) Barrett (19) V. Annarummo (20) Berghman (21)
Ferreira (22) J. Jarvis (23) Doucette (24) Oliviera C |
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Source: John Spence Sr / Valenti Modified Racing Series
Posted: October
7, 2012 |
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