Where Are They Now? Rowan Pennink

From racing with the family team to raising a family of his own, life looks a little different these days for former North-South Shootout competitor Rowan Pennink.

Pennink made three North-South Shootout starts from 2008 through 2010, all behind the wheel of the family-owned #93 Modified. His best result came in 2009, when he finished runner-up at Concord Motorsports Park.

“Concord was always one of my favorite tracks,” Pennink recalled. “It was so different than anything we raced before.”

ROWAN PENNINK

When Pennink stepped away from racing, he didn’t have any children. Today, he and his wife, Nicole, have their hands full raising four — three girls and a boy, ages 8, 5, 3 and 1. The family recently moved back to Pennink’s hometown in Pennsylvania, where they enjoy traveling and spending time outdoors together.

While life has moved well beyond the racetrack, Pennink still looks back with pride on what he and his family accomplished with their own team — competing and winning races at the highest level of Modified racing.

He also points to his time driving for Bob Hitchcock in the SK Modifieds, where they won races and ultimately a championship at Stafford Motor Speedway.

And if he had the chance to climb back into a Modified for one more race?

“That’s a tough question! I guess I would say Thompson for the speed,” Pennink said.

Then came an admission that probably won’t surprise anyone who watched him wheel a Modified:

“I do miss the speed!”

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Dale Wolbrink

Dale Wolbrink is a seasoned freelance marketing consultant with nearly three decades of experience in public relations and integrated marketing. Dale has been a tireless advocate for short track racing. As such, her marketing and promotional skills were integral during the early success of the North South Shootout. We are thankful to have her on board moving forward.

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