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ROWAN PENNINK
WINS EXIT REALTY 125 AT MONADNOCK SPEEDWAY
Pennink Captures First MTS Victory
by Denise DuPont |
The
Modified Touring Series (MTS) made their second stop at Monadnock
Speedway for 125 green laps of racing Saturday, August 19th. There
were fifteen modified in the pits. Winners of the two heat races
were Chris Pasteryak of Lisbon, CT. and Les Hinckley from Windsor
Locks, CT. After drivers completed the series autograph session, the
top ten qualifiers redrew for their starting position. Home track
favorite, Kirk Alexander from Swanzey NH, selected lucky #1 which
secured him the pole position. Eric Goodale of Riverhead, NY pulled
two and started outside Alexander when the initial green flag flew.
The
race tallied nine cautions which divided the race into short
sprints. Alexander had a strong car and was at his home track. He
dominated the front of the field for 92 laps. One lap later Goodale
went under Alexander for the top position. Soon after Alexander spun
out on his own on the front stretch. Alexander pitted for fresh
tires and made his way back into the top five within a few laps.
Goodale had pitted before half-way and his tires were not as fresh
as drivers running in the lead pack. Rowan Pennink of Huntingdon
Valley, PA passed Goodale on lap 109 sealing the deal. Woody Pitkat
of Sturbridge, MA. slid under Goodale and fell in line right behind
Pennink to take second. Goodale had to settle for third.
There were only five laps in the books when Pennink and TJ Bleau of
Troy, NH. came together as they ran for position. “We tangled up
with the #15nh and had to come back up through the field.”
Pennink’s challenges did not end there. Just after hall-way Pitkat
got into the rear of Pennink spinning them around in turn four. Both
pitted for tires and adjustments. “The #52 got into us and we spun
but it seemed then it was a good time to pit,” confessed Pennink.
“So we headed to the pits and came back to pass Eric for the lead
and then go forward for the win. All I was worried about that time
was getting around him.”
The last fifteen laps of the race clicked off fast as no one was
able to catch Pennink. ”It was a rough race out there tonight.”
Stated Pennink. ”I am happy for the #25 team. Everyone was driving
real aggressive out there. And when race is unfolding that way, you
have to keep up with par and do what you have to do to end up on
top.”
Pitkat
and the #52 team went to Monadnock earlier this past week to shake
out the car and prepare for the 125 lap race. They had the car tuned
and ready to go racing when Saturday’s race came. “We came here this
week and had a good car that was race ready.” Pitkat said after the
race. “I said then that the car was a little tight and if we do
nothing it will free up on its own.” The driver let his pre-race
thoughts get the better of him and he changed his mind when the team
arrived at the track. “When we arrived here today I had the crew do
a whole bunch of stuff to the car. Then after practice I had them
get the car back to where it was.” Pitkat had realized he had over
thought things. “During the race we were just riding, biting our
time trying to save our equipment. We came in and put a tire on the
car and had them tighten the car. I really should have had them just
go with the tire.”
The #52 team is still learning and pulling together for the MTS
races. Pitkat has been trying to provide as much feedback as he can
as a driver, but like us all, sometimes we think into things too
much. “I am a little frustrated with myself. I am trying to give the
crew the best feedback that I can and help them with the adjustments
they need to make. I probably should just let them do their job.
Then maybe I will start winning. Anyway we have been running
consistent upfront and knocking on the door. Soon we will be there
for the win. We will take the second place finish and go forward for
the next one.”
Goodale
had a strong enough car to get to the lead but multiple cautions and
pitting before mid-race may have not fit into the team’s long term
strategy. “I figured I ran a little too hard in the beginning and
used the right front up. I just did not have anything for the #25
and nobody was able to get under Rowan at the end.” Exclaimed
Goodale post-race. “With the last couple of weeks that this team has
had I will take a third place finish. We needed a good run tonight
to get back on track.”
Reflecting on what he could have done, Goodale expressed a little of
his frustration. “We needed to pit at the end. We knew we did not
have a car to win the race. We needed to come in and make an
adjustment and change a tire. We had the car setup, but the way I
drove the car I just used up the tires too much and I did not have
it at the end.” Declared Goodale as his packed up the hauler. “I did
not want Pennink to get me on the restart so I worked hard to stay
in front of him. But I knew when we were side by side that he had
better car than me and I had to use it up to keep ahead of him. So I
got in front of him and just hoped for the best. I knew a cross over
pass was coming and there was nothing I could do to defend it.”
It may not have been a win but a podium finish in this series, after
a lot of cautions and restarts, is not a bad place to be.
Pennink took the checkers followed by Pitkat, Goodale, Richard
Savary of Canton, MA and Alexander for the top five.
The MTS will have a break in action until their next race at New
London-Waterford Speedbowl on Saturday, September 9th.
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Source:
Denise DuPont /
TheChromeHorn.com
Posted:
August 20, 2017 |
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