Thompson Win Helps Pennink & BRE Break Long Drought

Column By: MATTHEW WIERNASZ / RPW – THOMPSON, CT – Rowan Pennink found victory lane on Sunday afternoon during the Icebreaker 150 at Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park. Pennink and Bohler Racing Enterprises broke a long drought as Pennink has not been in victory lane since 2013 when he won the World Series at Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park. Boehler Racing Enterprises won in 2012 at Thompson when Ted Christopher drove the car.

For everyone involved this is a big win

” Couldn’t be prouder to get ole blue 3 into victory lane for the teams 60th anniversary here.” Pennink Said

Car owner Michael Boehler couldn’t be more happier with his family being involved in modified racing for six decades. For Boelher to get this win on Sunday was huge.

” This is like our home track. My dad started at Seekonk but ran here late 50’s 60’s. Freddie (Desarro) They dominated in the 70’s. We won quite a few races over the years so to get here and get it this early in the season is just awesome. The guys did a great job getting everything ready so its good.

Over the winter, the sport lost two very special people former modified driver Leo Cleary and longtime photographer Howie Hodge. Howie and his wife Mary captured memories for five decades. When you saw Howie at the track, he always had a smile and was so happy to see everyone and always had a great story to share and would give anyone help or the advice that other photographers would ask for over the years.

” Howie’s special He’s been on the tour for so many years. Make everybody smile. Taking pictures a lot of memories with him. Leo The Lion what can you say about him ?? He ran for us in 79. Helped my dad finish up a car and went to Seekonk and won a championship there. Great guy hard racer. A lot of good memories with both of them.” Boehler Said

Timmy Solomito is off to a great start in 2017. Solomito won the season opener at Myrtle Beach Speedway. He won the pole on Sunday and led 20 laps. Solomito finished second on Sunday.

” Had a strong car all day. The 3 was really good today. Just took it as it came. Came away with the best finish we could. Today it was second . We just gotta keep finishing these races and be consistent. That’s the biggest thing at the end of the year.” Solomito Said

Max Zachem finished third in the race on Sunday and to him and his team it felt like a win but don’t count out Zachem in 2017 as he would tell you there is a statement to be proved from him and his team.

” To come from spinning out in turn one before the green flag just happened. Will take it. We had a great car all day.” Zachem Said

Zachem feels he has more statements to make with him and his team. Sunday was one of the statements.

” I want to be the little guy that’s coming up through. We bought all the new equipment. We bought all the equipment to run with these guys and want to be there every week.” Zachem Said

There was new format this weekend at the Icebreaker with the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour. In years past, we have seen teams practice and qualify on Saturday and race on Sunday. This past weekend was a little different as the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour teams came in later in the morning on Saturday and practiced late in the day. On Sunday, they qualified and race. Ron Silk’s car owner Danny Watts thought it was a much easier way to do things.

” Easier on me as an owner. Easier on my crew in general. Easier on my driver and I think its the best way to go and I hope they entertain the thought at doing it some more.” Watts Said

The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour will be back in action at the Spring Sizzler at Stafford Motor Speedway on Sunday April 30th.