Christopher claims his 4th SK victory at Stafford Speedway in 2017

Posted by Wayne G. Barber &  Photo by Wayne G.Barber

Certain Hall of Famer Ted Christopher

In the 40-lap SK Modified® feature event, the action at the front was fast and furious as Tom Abele, Jr. went by pole sitter Glen Reen to lead the first lap before giving way to Rowan Pennink, who took the lead on lap-2.  Mike Christopher, Jr. was second behind Pennink with Ted Christopher quickly moving up to third.  Tommy Membrino, Jr. spun in the middle of turns 3+4 brought the caution out with 5 laps complete.

Pennink took the lead back under green with Ted Christopher taking second from Mike Christopher, Jr.  Todd Owen was now up to fourth with Keith Rocco in fifth.  Ted Christopher then pulled alongside and took the lead from Pennink on lap-9.  The caution came back out with 10 laps complete as Rocco spun in turn 2.

The restart saw Rocco, Stephen Kopcik, and John Catania spin on the backstretch to bring the caution right back out before a lap couple be completed.  Rocco’s car was double hooked off the track and he was finished for the night.

Ted Christopher took the lead back under green with Pennink all over his back bumper.  Christopher was able to get clear on lap-15 and Todd Owen was now on the outside of Pennink in a challenge for second.  Pennink won that battle and Owen was now side by side with Christopher, Jr. for third with Matt Galko and Chase Dowling side by side for fifth.  At the halfway point, Ted Christopher still had Pennink glued to his back bumper with Christopher, Jr., Owen, and Dowling lined up in third to fifth.  Tommy Membrino came to a stop on the backstretch to bring the caution out with 25 laps  complete. 

Christopher took the lead back under green and he held the lead until lap-28 when Pennink went to the front.  Christopher took the lead back on lap-31 while behind them, Christopher, Jr. was holding off strong challenges from Owen and Williams.  Owen and Williams touched tires and got into the turn 4 wall to bring the caution out with 31 laps complete.

Back under green Christopher and Pennink were swapping the lead again with Christopher taking the lead on the restart, but Pennink went to the front on lap-33.  Pennink held the lead for 2 laps before Christopher went back to the front on lap-36.  With the lead swapping back and forth, Dowling was now up to third with Christopher, Jr. in fourth and Tyler Hines was up to fifth.

Christopher was able to hold off Pennink to the checkered flag to pick up his fourth win of the 2017 season.  Pennink got loose in the last corner and nearly lost second to Dowling, but he was abel to beat Dowling to the line by inches.  Christopher, Jr. finished fourth with Hines rounding out the top-5.

SK MODIFIED® (40)

1) Ted Christopher, Plainville (4)

2) Rowan Pennink, Huntingdon Valley, Pa

3) Chase Dowling, Roxbury (4 )

4) Michael Christopher, Jr., Wolcott

5) Tyler Hines, North Haven

6) Matt Galko, Meriden (1)

7) Josh Wood, Palmer, Ma

8) Dan Avery, Somers

9) Stephen Kopcik, Newtown (1)

10) Glen Reen, Wilbraham, Ma

11) Michael Gervais, Jr., Southbury

12) Tom Abele, Jr., Norwich

13) Tommy Membrino, Jr., Prospect

14) Todd Owen, Somers (1)

15) Ronnie Williams, Tolland (1)

16) Keith Rocco, Berlin

17) John Catania, Agawam, Ma