| Pennel Motorsports |
Sunday May 3rd - Madison International Speedway
After running a long hard 60 lap feature last night, we pulled into the track already tired from all
the hassle. We went out in practice and found out that the Big 8 events were much harder than
just your average short track racing. There were 51 cars competing, and only 14 of them were
guaranteed into the feature event. We qualified somewhere around about 40th which wasn't good.
We started 4th from last in the last chance race, and did not finish within the top 4 which you had
to do to make the feature event. We learned a lot, and have a huge start on the June 24th show.
Keep in mind we did not get any practice prior to this race, and had not even been on another
track besides the Dells Raceway Park. Turned out to be not so bad after all.
After running a long hard 60 lap feature last night, we pulled into the track already tired from all
the hassle. We went out in practice and found out that the Big 8 events were much harder than
just your average short track racing. There were 51 cars competing, and only 14 of them were
guaranteed into the feature event. We qualified somewhere around about 40th which wasn't good.
We started 4th from last in the last chance race, and did not finish within the top 4 which you had
to do to make the feature event. We learned a lot, and have a huge start on the June 24th show.
Keep in mind we did not get any practice prior to this race, and had not even been on another
track besides the Dells Raceway Park. Turned out to be not so bad after all.
Saturday May 2nd - Dells Raceway Park
We pulled into the track knowing that we were not going to win tonight, and that we just wanted
to bring the car home in one piece so that we could continue our weekend onto Madison for
tomorrow. In practice, we were a top ten car, but probably not much more than that. Dad had
told me that I was in the show no matter what, so just go out there and put down a good solid lap.
I went out there, and when I came in they told me I was 4th, and I did not believe it. But sure
enough, I even made the fast dash, and managed to run side by side the entire time to finish 3rd. I
started 5th row inside in the feature, and made my way all the way up to fourth. I was chasing
down the leaders, as I was one of the fastest cars on the track. I was pushing the car way to hard,
and on lap 8 of 60, I spun out right in front of the whole field, and luckily no one hit me. I went
to the back and started working my way back to the front. With all of the wrecks and commotion
back there, I got in a few wrecks, but managed to finish the race and finish respectively 15th out
23 cars. Good debut night for the Pennel Motorsports team and Davey Pennel.
We pulled into the track knowing that we were not going to win tonight, and that we just wanted
to bring the car home in one piece so that we could continue our weekend onto Madison for
tomorrow. In practice, we were a top ten car, but probably not much more than that. Dad had
told me that I was in the show no matter what, so just go out there and put down a good solid lap.
I went out there, and when I came in they told me I was 4th, and I did not believe it. But sure
enough, I even made the fast dash, and managed to run side by side the entire time to finish 3rd. I
started 5th row inside in the feature, and made my way all the way up to fourth. I was chasing
down the leaders, as I was one of the fastest cars on the track. I was pushing the car way to hard,
and on lap 8 of 60, I spun out right in front of the whole field, and luckily no one hit me. I went
to the back and started working my way back to the front. With all of the wrecks and commotion
back there, I got in a few wrecks, but managed to finish the race and finish respectively 15th out
23 cars. Good debut night for the Pennel Motorsports team and Davey Pennel.
Saturday May 9th - Dells Raceway Park
We loaded up the trailer Saturday morning, and with a cold chilly morning, but no rain, we figured
it would be an interesting night of racing. We hadn't thought or doubted the fact that we will be
racing. We called grandpa to talk to him about babysitting and he had told us that it was rained
out. Apparently he had already called and found that out. So we unloaded and went to go get the
kids. Hope to see you all back out at the track this next Saturday, May 16th. Qualifying starts at
3:45 and racing at 5:00.
We loaded up the trailer Saturday morning, and with a cold chilly morning, but no rain, we figured
it would be an interesting night of racing. We hadn't thought or doubted the fact that we will be
racing. We called grandpa to talk to him about babysitting and he had told us that it was rained
out. Apparently he had already called and found that out. So we unloaded and went to go get the
kids. Hope to see you all back out at the track this next Saturday, May 16th. Qualifying starts at
3:45 and racing at 5:00.
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Saturday May 16th - Dells Raceway Park
During the first practice session, the car was not good at all, it was just pushing off the corner. We
made it better and for qualifying did not know what to expect. I ended up qualifying 14th, which
was obviously not in the fast dash like last week. I would start third in the second out of three
heats. I ended up finishing second, even though I should have won it. The car was not handling
well during the heat either. I started 14th during the feature which I was not looking forward to
because I was on the outside. I started good, and got down to the bottom really soon. I followed
around for while, riding in 10th position. I then got a good run and passed the 29 car of Derek
Childs. After a few more laps I got under the 87 car, and never looked back. The track has a four
caution rule, where if you get four cautions, they finish the race right there and then. Well in a 40
lap feature, this was the case with 17 to go. I ended up finishing 8th, but overall it was an ok night.
During the first practice session, the car was not good at all, it was just pushing off the corner. We
made it better and for qualifying did not know what to expect. I ended up qualifying 14th, which
was obviously not in the fast dash like last week. I would start third in the second out of three
heats. I ended up finishing second, even though I should have won it. The car was not handling
well during the heat either. I started 14th during the feature which I was not looking forward to
because I was on the outside. I started good, and got down to the bottom really soon. I followed
around for while, riding in 10th position. I then got a good run and passed the 29 car of Derek
Childs. After a few more laps I got under the 87 car, and never looked back. The track has a four
caution rule, where if you get four cautions, they finish the race right there and then. Well in a 40
lap feature, this was the case with 17 to go. I ended up finishing 8th, but overall it was an ok night.
Saturday May 23rd - Dells Raceway Park
The Night started off good, running in the top 10 in practice. We qualified 14th, which wasn't
very good, but turned out to be ok when they rolled the dice to be a 6. This meant that for the
feature, we were starting on the pole. In the heat race, I started 2nd row outside. The guy in front
of me and I were trying to make the outside work, but it didn't. We both wound up in the back
and finished somewhere near the back of the pack. In the feature, it started out good, I lead the
first 17 laps, and then Corey Jankowski in the 31 came to the outside of me for the lead. We hit
going into the corner, and I spun out. I was not very happy, but had to work my way through the
pack. I ended up finished about 14th, and had fun leading the 17 out of 40 laps. Better luck next
week.
The Night started off good, running in the top 10 in practice. We qualified 14th, which wasn't
very good, but turned out to be ok when they rolled the dice to be a 6. This meant that for the
feature, we were starting on the pole. In the heat race, I started 2nd row outside. The guy in front
of me and I were trying to make the outside work, but it didn't. We both wound up in the back
and finished somewhere near the back of the pack. In the feature, it started out good, I lead the
first 17 laps, and then Corey Jankowski in the 31 came to the outside of me for the lead. We hit
going into the corner, and I spun out. I was not very happy, but had to work my way through the
pack. I ended up finished about 14th, and had fun leading the 17 out of 40 laps. Better luck next
week.
Saturday June 6th - Dells Raceway Park
With a very rainy day, it was almost absolutely obvious that the races were going to get rained out,
and sure enough, at about 10:00 in the morning they cancelled them. It was a relief for all of us
because the weather wasn't looking good, and the high was only about 50 degrees if it didn't rain.
See you next week!
With a very rainy day, it was almost absolutely obvious that the races were going to get rained out,
and sure enough, at about 10:00 in the morning they cancelled them. It was a relief for all of us
because the weather wasn't looking good, and the high was only about 50 degrees if it didn't rain.
See you next week!
Saturday June 20th - Dells Raceway Park
It was a hot night as the cars all struggled to keep the car going straight with a very greasy track.
The car was loose in practice, and we got it fixed in time for qualifying. Fast time went out to
Rocky Breezer in the #64 car. I qualified 13th, which was the perfect number for the night. The
invert was 13, so I was starting on the pole for the feature. In the heat I started 2nd row outside.
My car was tight in this race, and I was very strong on the outside. The guy on the front row
outside was too slow, and drug the whole outside to the back. I fell in front of somebody and
worked my was up through a few cars but managed to finish 6th. For the feature I was Front Row
Joe for the second time this year. Got off to a great start with rookie Derek Childs next to me that
spun out going into turn one. He collected a few cars and had to pull off the track. Kurt Clapper
in the 7 car got to slide up to the outside for the restart. He challenged me for the lead on the
outside for a couple laps, but I held off and got the lead. With 19 laps to go out of a 40 lap feature
I had a 6 car length lead over defending track champion Mike Ehde. Jesse Bernhagen had hit the
wall, and was hauled off by a wrecker. I got a good start but the car was not handeling like it was
before the caution. I was getting really loose as the race went on. Mike Ehde got past me on the
outside. And two laps later I slipped up and Kurt Clapper got under me. Not knowing the Rich
Shumman Jr. was following Clapper through I tried to duck in behind Clapper. Schumman and I
hit and I spun out. I got sent to the back and finished 15th. Great learning experience and got to
lead 23 laps.
It was a hot night as the cars all struggled to keep the car going straight with a very greasy track.
The car was loose in practice, and we got it fixed in time for qualifying. Fast time went out to
Rocky Breezer in the #64 car. I qualified 13th, which was the perfect number for the night. The
invert was 13, so I was starting on the pole for the feature. In the heat I started 2nd row outside.
My car was tight in this race, and I was very strong on the outside. The guy on the front row
outside was too slow, and drug the whole outside to the back. I fell in front of somebody and
worked my was up through a few cars but managed to finish 6th. For the feature I was Front Row
Joe for the second time this year. Got off to a great start with rookie Derek Childs next to me that
spun out going into turn one. He collected a few cars and had to pull off the track. Kurt Clapper
in the 7 car got to slide up to the outside for the restart. He challenged me for the lead on the
outside for a couple laps, but I held off and got the lead. With 19 laps to go out of a 40 lap feature
I had a 6 car length lead over defending track champion Mike Ehde. Jesse Bernhagen had hit the
wall, and was hauled off by a wrecker. I got a good start but the car was not handeling like it was
before the caution. I was getting really loose as the race went on. Mike Ehde got past me on the
outside. And two laps later I slipped up and Kurt Clapper got under me. Not knowing the Rich
Shumman Jr. was following Clapper through I tried to duck in behind Clapper. Schumman and I
hit and I spun out. I got sent to the back and finished 15th. Great learning experience and got to
lead 23 laps.
Saturday July 4th - Dells Raceway Park
For the 4th of July, we thought it was our time to
shine, fireworks and the Directv RV setup in the
grandstands. We would love to either qualify on the
pole, or win a race. The car ran in the top five all
day in practice, and was awesome for qualifying. I
qualified 2nd, 5 thousandths behind Andrew Kulka.
We were stoked about this one, started the fast dash
4th row outside, and finished 5th. That was also a
plus because it is very hard to pass cars in this race.
For the feature I was starting inside row 4. I was
very tight the first laps, and the car never loosened
up. I ran in the 6th position most the race, and was
passed with two laps to go by pole sitter, Andrew
Kulka. I finished 7th, but was happy with the car
overall throughout the night.
For the 4th of July, we thought it was our time to
shine, fireworks and the Directv RV setup in the
grandstands. We would love to either qualify on the
pole, or win a race. The car ran in the top five all
day in practice, and was awesome for qualifying. I
qualified 2nd, 5 thousandths behind Andrew Kulka.
We were stoked about this one, started the fast dash
4th row outside, and finished 5th. That was also a
plus because it is very hard to pass cars in this race.
For the feature I was starting inside row 4. I was
very tight the first laps, and the car never loosened
up. I ran in the 6th position most the race, and was
passed with two laps to go by pole sitter, Andrew
Kulka. I finished 7th, but was happy with the car
overall throughout the night.
Saturday July 11th - Dells Raceway Park Gawronski Signs
With an upsetting practice, we didn't do the greatest in qualifying either. We had thought the car
was working well in practice, but when we looked at our times, we were about tenth fastest. I
qualified my best, and ended up 13th. With the invert, this put me on the outside of the front row
for the feature. I was in the slow heat and started 4th row outside. I went back to 9th in the heat
before I started to pass cars and ended up 7th. In the feature, I figured I would get freight trained
right to the back like last time, but I held my ground, and on the outside I was almost past Corey
Jankowski. We battled it out for about two laps as we pulled away from the 58 of Cardell Potter
and the 18 of Mike Ehde. I saw that we had pulled away, and ducked in behind Jankowski. We
continued to pull away, but within the next ten laps, there was a caution. I thought, "Now is my
time to get the 31 on this restart." I went high, and then low under him, it didn't work, but just
followed him for another 20 laps again pulling away from the 18 car and the rest of the field. We
finished 2nd to Jankowski, but with our Career best finish, we figured it was a great night, and
finally we feel like some things are working in our favor. No racing for us this week, so see you on
the 24th for the Big 8 Race at Golden Sands Speedway
With an upsetting practice, we didn't do the greatest in qualifying either. We had thought the car
was working well in practice, but when we looked at our times, we were about tenth fastest. I
qualified my best, and ended up 13th. With the invert, this put me on the outside of the front row
for the feature. I was in the slow heat and started 4th row outside. I went back to 9th in the heat
before I started to pass cars and ended up 7th. In the feature, I figured I would get freight trained
right to the back like last time, but I held my ground, and on the outside I was almost past Corey
Jankowski. We battled it out for about two laps as we pulled away from the 58 of Cardell Potter
and the 18 of Mike Ehde. I saw that we had pulled away, and ducked in behind Jankowski. We
continued to pull away, but within the next ten laps, there was a caution. I thought, "Now is my
time to get the 31 on this restart." I went high, and then low under him, it didn't work, but just
followed him for another 20 laps again pulling away from the 18 car and the rest of the field. We
finished 2nd to Jankowski, but with our Career best finish, we figured it was a great night, and
finally we feel like some things are working in our favor. No racing for us this week, so see you on
the 24th for the Big 8 Race at Golden Sands Speedway
| Check out the latest finishes and doings here. |
August 1st - Dells Raceway Park Kids Night
Practice went good, we were right there with the top cars. During
practice, it looked like Bobby Kendall would be the car to beat, but it
turned out to be youngster, Jessy Bernhagen in the 28. I qualified
7th, and couldn't figure out why the car wasn't handling good. We
must have gotten it figured out though because I won the fast heat
by about three car lengths from the pole. It was a great first win,
and we were happy.I started outside row 4 in the feature. I figured
the outside row would move, but most certainly not. I fell back to
about 13th place before I got to the inside. I started to pick my way
through cars. While on the inside of Derek Childs, some cars got
together in front of us, and Childs swerved into me to avoid it. I got
hit in the RF tire, my fender was missing a chunk and the RF went
flat. I went a lap down changing the tire, and was not going to pass
any cars unless they pulled off. I passed about ten cars anyway for
the fun of it, and was happy my car was still fast. Finished
twentieth out of twenty-three. Great learning experience.
Practice went good, we were right there with the top cars. During
practice, it looked like Bobby Kendall would be the car to beat, but it
turned out to be youngster, Jessy Bernhagen in the 28. I qualified
7th, and couldn't figure out why the car wasn't handling good. We
must have gotten it figured out though because I won the fast heat
by about three car lengths from the pole. It was a great first win,
and we were happy.I started outside row 4 in the feature. I figured
the outside row would move, but most certainly not. I fell back to
about 13th place before I got to the inside. I started to pick my way
through cars. While on the inside of Derek Childs, some cars got
together in front of us, and Childs swerved into me to avoid it. I got
hit in the RF tire, my fender was missing a chunk and the RF went
flat. I went a lap down changing the tire, and was not going to pass
any cars unless they pulled off. I passed about ten cars anyway for
the fun of it, and was happy my car was still fast. Finished
twentieth out of twenty-three. Great learning experience.