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09/08/2014 |
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BONSIGNORE
GRABS AIRBORNE CHECKERS
FOR FIRST VMRS WIN |
 It
took a visit to his native state to capture his
first ever VMRS race. Justin Bonsignore did exactly
that winning Sunday afternoon’s Valenti Modified
Racing Series ‘Airborne 100’ at Plattsburgh, New
York’s, Airborne Speedway.
Bonsignore, Holtsville, New York, started 3rd in a
17-car lineup, and dropped to fourth in the early
going.
Polesitter Max Zachem, of Preston, Connecticut, set
the pace early leading the first 31-laps before
turning the top position over to Chris Pasteryak, of
Jewett City, Connecticut, who became the class of
the field.
The two-time-series champion opened a sizeable lead
from lap-32 through lap –79 when Bonsignore moved to
the front following a caution flag for Tommy
Barrett.
Barrett, of Millis, Massachusetts, was off the pace
prior to the caution, and a visit to the pit area
followed for the 19-year old driver.
When the race resumed. Bonsignore was in command
with Barrett working his way to the front. Barrett
moved to third on lap-89, second two laps later, and
then caught up to Bonsignore.
The closing laps brought back memories of the last
race at Airborne in 2010, a two-car battle to the
finish. Bonsignore fought off every attempt Barrett
made to take the victory but it was the New York
driver’s day to shine, and remain a serious
contender for the series championship.
Bonsignore became the 10th different winner in 14
races this season.
“We’ve been close a lot and to finally get a win
especially in the 21 car means a lot,” said
Bonsignore. A lot of great people have won in this
car. A lot I grew up watching and idolized as a kid
so it’s awesome to put my name on the list that have
won for Art Barry and Kenny.”
Bonsignore’s thoughts on a fast closing Barrett for
the win.
“When you see him right in front of you and almost a
lap down you know his game plan. He’s hoping for a
caution. He got it and I’ll leave it at that.” “We
were fighting no power steering, no radio’s and with
10 to go, we don’t know if the battery or alternator
was starting to die, that’s why I had to drive a
little aggressively. All in all we’ll take it. It
should be a good points day.” Bonsignore concluded.
For Barrett, it was another late push to the front
adding to another dramatic finish.
“We started 13th and kind of rode around there for a
little bit. I just didn’t want to wear the tires too
much we were already free. As the race went on we
didn’t get any cautions and the car started getting
looser and looser and I couldn’t hold onto it
anymore. We came in on lap-79 and the guys made some
great adjustments. The car had tremendous forward
bite after that. I had a lot for Justin.. got to the
outside a few times.. but just wasn’t letting us
have it,” Barrett said.
Third place finisher Pasteryak, only 35 points back
in the point standings, ran a solid race for another
podium finish “I just missed the stagger a little
bit and it showed. It was really good early but from
lap 50 on I was just trying to drive it as straight
as I could. It was pretty good but just not good
enough.”
Zachem was solid again with a fourth place finish,
with Matt Mead, of Richmond, New Hampshire,
finishing an impressive fifth, his first ever race
at the New York oval.
Sixth through tenth; Rowan Pennink, Mike Willis Jr,
Carl Medeiros Jr, Norm Wrenn, and Dan Meservey Jr.
Three caution flags were displayed on laps 31,79,and
82
The race was completed in 37 minutes, 57 seconds.
14 of the 17 starters finished on the lead lap
Heats winners; Pennink & Pasteryak
Next Event; Waterford (CT Speedbowl -- October 4 & 5
Race Summary:
Airborne Park Speedway
September 7, 2014
Race # 14
Entrants: (17)
Distance: 100-laps
Time: 37:37:131
Margin of Victory: Unavailable (Transponder
Failure)
Best Speed: 111.691 (Bakaj)
Best Lap Time: 16.077 (Bakaj)
Lead Changes: 2
Lap Leaders: 20CT - 1 thru 31; 5CT - 32 thru
79; 21 - 80 thru 100
Cautions: Laps - 31, 79, and 82
Unofficial Order of Finish:
(1) Bonsignore (2) Barrett (3) Pasteryak (4)
Zachem (5) Mead (6) Pennink (7) Willis (8) Medeiros
(9) Wrenn (10) Meservey (11) Lashua (12) Savary (13)
Bakaj (14) Holdridge (15) Cyr (16) Kopec (17) Malave |
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Source: John Spence Sr / Valenti Modified Racing Series
Posted:
September 8, 2014 |
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