VALENTI MODIFIEDS READY TO TACKLE THOMPSON ON SUNDAY

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VMRS
THOMPSON,CT. The Valenti Modified Racing Series heads to Thompson Speedway this Sunday for the first of three appearances this year at the storied oval. A star-studded field of drivers is expected including defending champion, Jon McKennedy.

McKennedy will make his first start of the season in a Valenti Modified. His car owner, Art Barry, has been sidelined due to illness but he has improved enough to where he not only plans to field a car but fully intends to be at the track. “I’ve got enough guys to put a team together and I’m really looking forward to it,” said the long-time car owner.

The last time the Valenti Modified Racing Series was at Thompson was during the Sunoco World Series of Speedway Racing last October. Rowan Pennink claimed the 75-lap victory and the current VMRS point leader will be looking for a repeat win. That, however, will be a tall order for the Pennsylvania driver who will face stiff competition from a host of extremely competitive VRMS race teams. Read Full Article →

Pennink Looks To Continue Thompson Success This Sunday

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Canaan, NH. — Huntingdon Valley, PA, modified driver Rowan Pennink knows the way to victory lane at Thompson International Speedway. He’s won three races at the famed Connecticut oval and will be looking for his second straight win there when the Valenti Modified Racing Series swings into Thompson, this Sunday afternoon, May 19, for the first of three scheduled 75-lap events this season. Pennink won the May and October races last year.
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EVE OF DESTRUCTION SET FOR MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND

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THOMPSON,CT. The Thompson Speedway will once again host its annual Eve of Destruction on Sunday, May 26th. This annual holiday weekend fan favorite will excite, thrill and astonish fans with stunts, crashes, explosions, monster trucks, motorcycles, demo derbies, trailer trash, fireworks and much more.

Bigfoot, the world’s original Monster Truck, will headline the show as it defends its reputation against the Instigator and XDP (Xtreme Diesel Power). These Monster Trucks will race, crush and jump in an incredible show of power, size and speed.
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PENNINK TO LEAD VALENTI MODIFIEDS TO THOMPSON ON MAY 19TH.

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ThompsonPENNINK TO LEAD VALENTI MODIFIEDS TO THOMPSON ON MAY 19TH.

THOMPSON, CT Rowan Pennink, fresh off of a second place finish at the Thompson Speedway’s Icebreaker, will lead a full field of Valenti Modified Racing Series cars and stars to the Thompson Speedway on Sunday, May 19th. The Pennsylvania driver is the current points leader in the VMRS. He gained the top spot as a result of a 4th place finish in the season-opening race at the Waterford Speedbowl and then a win at the Monadnock Speedway. Pennink, like many drivers, competes with the Valenti Modified Racing Series, the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour and the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series.

“I think we have a pretty good chance at Thompson”, Pennink said. “With the # 25 car, Thompson seems to be our best track. Gary (Casella) has a really good setup for that track and we have had great motors from Mike Pettit. Generally, we unload the car at Thompson and don’t touch it. The setup has been that good,” Pennink concluded.

When asked about the challenge of competing in every race on both the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour and the Valenti Modified Racing Series, Pennink said that they plan to run them all. He did indicate that there are a couple of races that are scheduled pretty close, but he indicated that the teams felt that if all went well they would be able to make every race.
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VALENTI MODIFIEDS NEXT ON THOMPSON CALENDAR

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ThompsonTHOMPSON, CT. The Valenti Modified Racing Series will make its first of three stops this year at Thompson Speedway on Sunday, May 19th. The VMRS will headline the six-division race program that will also feature Thompson’s NASCAR Whelen All-American Series weekly divisions.

The VMRS is celebrating its 10th anniversary season and is expected to bring a large field of race teams to Thompson. Over seventy teams have registered this season for VMRS competition with many of them well known to Thompson fans. A host of drivers from the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour are regulars on the VMRS as are a number of All-American Series competitors. Defending WMT champion Doug Coby is a registered VMRS competitor as are Rowan Pennink, Ryan Preece, Keith Rocco, Richard Savary and Woody Pitkat. Some other well-known VMRS regulars are Steve Masse, two-time champions Chris Pasteryak and Kirk Alexander, Todd Owen, Tommy Barrett and many more.

Race number one of the VMRS season was won by Steve Masse and Rowan Pennink picked up the victory in race number two this past weekend. Thompson is the third event on the VMRS schedule and it’s anyone’s guess who will walk away with a victory in the 75-lap main event. Read Full Article →

Stefanik, Rocco, And McDermott Capture Modified Wins At Icebreaker

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ThompsonThompson, CT: Mike Stefanik held off a hard-charging Rowan Pennink and Ryan Preece to capture his 73rd NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour victory in the Icebreaker 150 at Thompson Speedway. Stefanik took the lead on a lap 141 restart for the victory. The win marks Stefanik’s third Icebreaker win and his 15th victory at Thompson Speedway.

Pennink, who finished in the second position, led early in the race after moving to the front at lap eight, where he remained until he pitted during a caution around lap 56. Preece, who finished third, took over the lead on the restart at lap 57 and led until Pennink reclaimed it on a lap 111 restart. Stefanik, however, was fast approaching, and proved to be unstoppable as he drove around Pennink on the restart.
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Thompson Icebreaker: Michalski and Barnett Wins Dampened By Untimely Loss

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Michalski and Barnett Wins Dampened By Untimely Loss Stefanik Sets New WMT Series Record

Thompson, CT: The excitement of Icebreaker opening day at Thompson International Speedway took a heartbreaking turn Saturday afternoon. The Thompson Speedway family and the entire racing community was saddened with the loss of a long-time Thompson competitor. Jimmy Smith, 62, of Woodstock, CT was stricken in the paddock area following an 8-lap qualifying race at the speedway. He was taken by ambulance to Day Kimball Hospital in Putnam where he died.

“Everyone at the Thompson Speedway is saddened at the loss of Jimmy,” said the track’s General Manager, Jonathan Hoenig. “Words cannot express how all of us feel at this time. We extend our deepest sympathies to Jimmy’s family, friends and fans. Jimmy was a talented race car driver and he loved the sport dearly. He will be missed by everyone in the racing fraternity.”
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