Quick Study: Ronnie Williams Scores Sixth SK Modified Win Of 2015 At Stafford Speedway

Ronnie Williams

Ronnie Williams

STAFFORD – Ronnie Williams looked ahead of himself in the starting lineup and saw the names the have proved the dominant in the SK Modified division at Stafford in recent years.

Starting 10th, Williams saw Rowan Pennink starting ninth, Ryan Preece starting eighth and Keith Rocco starting seventh.

Last season few would have looked at that starting grid and considered Williams the man to beat. But 2015 has made for quite a different story for the 18-year old Williams, who is in his second year in the division.

After winning one race as a rookie, Williams has taken on the role of driver to beat in the SK Modified division at Stafford with a month left in the season.

Williams drove away from Pennink over the closing laps to win the 40-lap NASCAR Whelen All-American Series SK Modified feature Friday at Stafford Motor Speedway.

It was the sixth victory in 18 events this year at Stafford for Williams, matching Pennink for the division’s lead in victories this season.

“It’s unbelievable what we have been able to do this year and I wouldn’t trade it for anything,” Williams said. “Hopefully there’s more to come because this is just awesome.”

Pennink, of Huntingdon Valley, Pa., was second and Matt Galko of Meriden third.

“Those guys have a high rep here,” Williams said of Pennink, Rocco and Preece. “They have a lot of wins here. Being able to pass them and then almost pull away a little bit is definitely big. It’s definitely a confidence booster. But I still want to get the car a little bit better and keep winning.”

Williams said winning has instilled a coolness in him that maybe wasn’t there at the start of the season.

“At the beginning of the year, maybe last year, I wouldn’t have the confidence to throw the car in and make sure it sticks,” Williams said. “The car still wasn’t perfect, but it’s winning. I have that confidence and I think my team has the confidence. [Crew chief Stash Butova] throws stuff at it that maybe he wouldn’t try with me last year and it’s definitely working out.”

Williams was up to fifth when the caution flew on lap 22 with Galko leading, Rocco in second, Pennink in third and Preece in fourth.

On the restart Williams jumped to third from the inside lane and then to second a lap later by Pennink.

On lap 24 Williams found the low lane under Galko and came off turn four with a lead he would never relinquish. Pennink got by Galko for second on lap 27, and closed to Williams’ bumper numerous times over the closing laps, but he could never find a way to mount a strong challenge for the top spot.

“We had a good car, not quite as good as [Williams],” Pennink said. “He had a rocket ship. We had a fast car, but he snuck by us on one of them restarts and I couldn’t get back by him.”

Comments

  1. Gee, tough night for Ryan Preece…that 10th place finish isn’t gonna help him win the track championship. Seems he isn’t getting the respect he thinks he deserves. Some of these guys play rough! I guess it’s true…what goes around comes around.

  2. It seems that since the time Preece spun Pennick he has been driving with greater reserve. Wonder if Preece is on probation?

    Have seen other drivers block and push him high in the corners. Now it seems that an alledgely super clean driver spun him and damaged his car to keep him from passing.

    Is Nascar really reviewing the conduct of ALL drivers and applying the rules equally?

  3. in the know says

    Some good side by side racing w Rocco and Preece last night then when the 6 is on the inside he runs Keith way up in the marbles in 3&4. No respect given’ next corner, you get that same level of respect back boy! Didn’t like seeing it but that’s the way it went down. Preece got deserved right there when he got spun

  4. So they got what they wanted last week. A rainout. Then the next week only 15 sk’s show up.

  5. ModFan Homtracks says

    Let me be the first to congratulate Ronnie Williams and the #59 SKTeam on a great run last night. The kid started 10th, followed Preece to the front, then passed him, the 66, Kid Rock, Pennick then Galko to take the lead. He showed poise, patience, then grit to take the lead, then was very smooth and hit his marks to keep the 99 behind him. They said this is his 7th career win in only 32 SK features he’s started. Shawn, has anyone started a SK first 2 years that hot? Great show and I’m seeing more and more #59 fans, a lot are younger, in our stands.

  6. Attention Jan Boehler, David Hill, Mike Murphy, and Bob Katon….. please give this kid a shot in the Fall Final at Stafford

  7. Why have drivers/teams with CD chassis dominated at Stafford? Perhaps TC should buy one.

  8. Again congrates to Ronnie “The Truth’ Williams, the Whole team and that T/A Horsepower!

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