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03/20/2014 |
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PENNINK
REPEATS AS SPRING DASH WINNER
AT MONADNOCK |
 With
a large crowd braving bitter cold temperatures
looking on, reigning Series Champion Rowan Pennink
of Huntingdon Valley, PA., made it back to back wins
when he won the “Spring Dash 100” Valenti Modified
Racing Series event Saturday night, April 19, at
Monadnock Speedway, Winchester, NH.
The victory was Pennink’s 10th career VMRS win and
his third at the Monadnock oval.
Pennink started on the pole in a 25-car field
driving a brand new mount for car owners Gary and
Kim Casella, of Saugus, MA.
Pennink led the first five laps before turning over
the lead to Justin Bonsignore, of W. Islip, NY., who
fast became the class of the field. Bonsignore,
driving for noted car owner/fabricator Art Barry
would lead the event until the halfway mark.
The second half of the race is when things got
interesting setting the stage for a great finish
that left fans buzzing.
Pennink reclaimed the lead on lap 51 and help it to
lap 67. Bonsignore snatched it back for laps 68 and
69. Pennink took the lead back for the final time on
lap 70 and held to the finish.
The racing behind the leader in the late stages was
intense. Bonsignore and Steve Masse, of Bellingham,
MA., staged a torrid duel often side by side with
Masse winning out and slipping into second on lap
83.
Bonsignore gave chase for 10 laps when he pulled up
alongside Masse and made the pass on lap 93 to
secure the runner-up position.
Masse settled for third, Chris Pasteryak, of Lisbon,
CT, after a late race charge, finished an impressive
fourth, with Todd Szegedy, of Ridgefield, CT. fifth.
Pennink in victory lane stated, “It was a great
race. Justin and Steve ran a really hard race. They
pressed me really hard.”
The winner’s new car was strong all day in only it’s
second outing. “Gary, Bob, all the guys did a good
job putting this car together to get it ready for
Waterford. They did an amazing job here today and I
can’t thank them enough.”
Sixth through tenth were; Dwight Jarvis, Matt Mead,
Dylan Kopec, Max Zachem, and Mike Willis Jr.
The race, slowed by eight caution flags, was
completed in 54 minutes, 15 seconds.
Heat winners were; Szegedy, Willis, and Pennink.
Next event is Sunday, May 4.
Race No. 2 of 17-
Monadnock Speedway
Entrants: 26 (25 starters)
Distance: 100 laps
Time of Race: 54:15:583
Best Lap Time: 12.775 (Holdridge)
Lead Changes: 4 (2 drivers)
Lap Leaders: Pennink (1-5) Bonsignore (6-50)
Pennink (51-67) Bonsignore (68-69) Pennink (70-100
Cautions: 8 Laps 1,12,26,26,34,53,58,83
Unofficial Order of Finish: (1) Pennink, (2)
Bonsignore, (3) Masse, (4) Pasteryak, (5) Szegedy,
(6) Jarvis, (7) Mead (8) Kopec (9) Zachem (10)
Willis, (11) Owen (12) Douglas (13) Rocco (14) Bakaj
(15) Savary (16) Wrenn (17) Schneider (18) Richardi
(19) Smith (20) Alexander (21) Nocella (22) Carey
(23) Holdridge (24) Seidell (25) Cyr.
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Source: John Spence Sr / Valenti Modified Racing Series
Posted: April
20, 2014 |
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