Bonsignore takes the Valenti Modified Racing Series Championship at Thompson’s World Series

 

 

Long island's Justin Bonsignore had a mission in 2014. It was all about winning the Valenti Modified Racing Series for noted race car builder Art Barry of Preston, CT  Credit: NASCAR Home Track photo. )

Long island’s Justin Bonsignore had a mission in 2014. It was all about winning the Valenti Modified Racing Series for noted race car builder Art Barry of Preston, CT  (Credit: NASCAR Home Track photo. )

By Lou Modestino

From day one, 26-year old Justin Bonsignore, of Holtsville, NY, let it be known he intended to compete for a championship. He wanted to produce another title for noted car owner/builder Art Barry, of Preston CT.

Bonsignore made it happen Saturday night when he wheeled the Spearpoint Racing/Spafco Modified to a 14th place finish in the VMRS 75-lap season finale at Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park in Thompson, CT. The result. The 2014 Valenti Modified Racing Series Championship.

Bonsignore finished 19-points ahead of last years champion Rowan Pennink. The win was car owner Art Barry’s second VMRS championship. Barry won the title with then driver Jon McKennedy in 2012. A humbled Bonsignore knows how special it is to win for a well-respected car owner who has been putting winning race cars on the track for over 60-years. “It feels amazing, especially to do it with Art and Kenny with such a long history of Modified racing. It’s nice to be the driver to get them a second title with the series,” said the new champion.

Bonsignore continued, “ It was an amazing year. A couple of hiccups along the way made it a little closer than we would have liked. We had 11 podium finishes in 17 races and a championship. I’m very proud of that.”

Bonsignore summed it up,” These guys do a great job preparing the car.. I just show up and drive it. I am very honored and very proud to win a championship with Art and Kenny Barry. Everybody leaves Kenny out of it and shouldn’t. He’s been around a long time. He orchestrated that whole repair during the red flag. He did a really good job. He’s a big part of this team. I’m very proud to be a part of the Spafco family.”  Bonsignore and the Barry team will be at a different podium in December. Accepting the hardware and accolades that goes with being champions.