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PLENTY OF
DARK HORSES IN TTOMS HAUNTED HUNDRED ROSTER
Action set for this Saturday, October 28 at Seekonk Speedway |
 The
domination of the Tri-Track Open Modifies Series
(TTOMS) by Matt Hirschman has been well-documented.
There has even been a bounty placed on “Big Money”.
Among the 41 drivers that are currently
pre-registered for the event lie a few dark horses.
Of course, there are plenty of heavy-hitters ready
to compete like Ryan Preece, Rowan Pennink, Bobby
Santos, Woody Pitkat, Ron Silk, Keith Rocco and
Anthony Nocella. The roster also includes a host of
former Modified series winners - Les Hinckley, Tommy
Barrett, Steve Masse and Russ Hersey. Ready to
contend for the win are also a handful of
‘underdogs’.
For the Seekonk faithful, it may seem strange that
Vinnie “Who” Annarummo is considered a dark horse to
win Saturday’s race. With six track championships to
his credit at the “Cement Palace”, the 68 year old
driver from Swansea, MA, could be a contender. A
former Modified winner at Seekonk with the Modified
Racing Series, the elder Annarummo last raced a
Modified at Open Wheel Wednesday at Seekonk back in
2015 for car owner Dick Ceravolo. He finished
seventh in that last outing. But, according to his
son, Todd, a regular with the Tri-Track Series,
Vinnie has practiced the family cars regularly over
the last two years.
“He’s still fast,” said Todd.
Annarummo simply stepped away from racing because of
hearing problems. In what must have been a difficult
decision for a veteran driver, he decided that his
inability to hear his spotter made it dangerous and
uncomfortable.
“This summer he ended up getting some new hearing
aids,” added Todd. “He went and tested and he could
hear better than ever.”
When this Haunted Hundred was announced the plan
from the Annarummo camp was to run two cars-one for
each of the former Seekonk Modified winners. But
after a late season sale, only one car remained.
“So, he’s going to give it another shot,” said Todd.
“He can drive the track like very few can. If we
didn’t think he would be competitive he wouldn’t be
doing it.
Fully anticipating a strong run by his father, Todd
added “Plus, it will give him some material to beat
me up with over the winter when he does do well”.
In addition to helping his father, Todd will have
the opportunity to cheer on his young children who
will undoubtedly be wearing costumes for the track’s
Halloween costume contest.
Getting in the spirit of the Halloween-themed
Haunted Hundred is another competitor who could be
considered a longshot.
“We are going [to Seekonk] with evil intentions to
kick everyone’s butt,” said Jon Kievman, aka Jonny
Kay.
While new to Modified racing in the Northeast,
Kievman is no stranger to racing and certainly no
stranger to winning. Starting his career at the age
of 30, Jonny Kay found success in the Late Model and
Super Model ranks; winning races and champions in
his home state of Florida.
After 20 years of racing and years of ribbing from
his father, Kievman made the change to tour-type
Modifieds in 2008.
“I got a bit bored,” said Jonny Kay. “I decided it
was either time to retire or find some other avenue
in racing where I could have some fun. I decided to
try ‘real race cars’ as my Dad always called the
Modifieds. ”
Unfortunately, his father passed away in 2008 and
never saw him race a Modified.
At the ripe-old age of 56, after joining the ranks
of the Modifieds, Kievman has found his place to
have fun. He just may be having the time of his
life. Surrounded by his beautiful wife and a
dedicated and supportive crew, including crew chief
PJ Fearns, Kievman is also finding success.
“We are running premium races against the cream of
the crop in the Tri-Track series and while we would
like to be winning every race-that is the goal for
every race-we are running well,” added Kievman,
although admittedly their finishes have not
indicated how well they have performed.
“I’m not satisfied with the results, but I am with
the progress,” said Kievman.
Progress that could just find Jonny Kay and crew in
victory lane at Saturday’s Haunted Hundred at
Seekonk Speedway.
Other drivers to watch out for on Saturday include
the likes of Richard Savary and Chris Pasteryak.
These two drivers are perennial winners who have
been relatively quiet so far in 2017. Max Zachem
fresh off a hiatus due to health concerns is hungry
to get back to action and even hungrier for a win.
Pro Stock ace Derek Ramstrom and the ageless Kirk
Alexander should also be among the contenders.
Pit gates will open at 8am at Seekonk Speedway on
Saturday, October 28. Grandstands will open at 11am
with racing starting at 1pm. Pit admission is $35.
Adult general admission is $25 and children 12 and
under are admitted free. Also on the racing card is
a 50-lap main event for Late Models and a 30 lapper
for the INEX Legends. Building on a Seekonk Speedway
Halloween tradition, prizes will be awarded for the
best costumes. Children and adults alike are invited
to participate in the costume contest. The rain date
for the Haunted Hundred is Sunday, October 29.
Tickets are available online by visiting
SeekonkSpeedway.com or by calling the Speedway
office at 508.336.9959 Monday through Friday from
9:00am to 5:00pm. To learn more about the Tri-Track
Modified Series, visit
tritrackmods.com.
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Source:
Dale Wolbrink / Tri-Track Open Modified Series
Posted:
October 25, 2017 |
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