A more seasoned Sergio

Niedful words (by Robert Niedzwiecki)

June 1, 2011

After pushing NASCAR Sprint Cup driver Joey Logano to the limit in the 2010 Toyota All-Star Showdown, it was only natural for Sergio Pena to try to push himself to the limit.

Pena, a James Wood High School senior and Winchester native, had hopes of winning the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East as a rookie in 2010. But he never finished higher than sixth in his 10 races, and he finished 12th in the final point standings.

So when Pena found himself in the lead following a wreck with just 10 laps remaining in the South Boston 150 on April 17, his body was working faster than his car.

"My heart was beating through my chest," Pena said. "I didn't know what to expect. I hadn't been in first after a restart since the [2010 Toyota] Showdown."

Showing how much he's grown, Pena was able to hold on to that lead and earn his first career win on the NASCAR circuit. That's Pena's biggest highlight by far through the first third of the 12-race K&N season. In four races, Pena has three top-10 finishes and sits sixth in the overall standings. "It's been a lot better than last year," said Pena, who is set to graduate from James Wood on June 10 before heading off to Radford University in the fall.

A number of changes have helped Pena improve his performance this season.

Pena is clicking well with his new crew chief, Matt Goslant, who helped Eric Holmes win the K&N West Series in 2010.

Pena is also smarter and more patient on the track. Pena said last year it used to take him only about a third of the race to wear out his tires, but now he's able to make them last. In the South Boston race, Pena's times were consistent from the first lap to the 150th.

Also at South Boston, Pena's commitment to improving his restarts was critical. Logano repeatedly beat Pena on restarts in their 2010 battle in which Pena took second, and Pena knew he could ill afford to let his advantage go to waste with just 10 laps remaining. Max Gresham and Matt DiBenedetto - currently fourth and fifth, respectively, in the overall standings - were both on his heels.

"I was nervous," Pena said. "But I've been working hard on my shifts and everything. I got out quick and was able to pull away."

Pena won by 0.620 seconds. He admits he was a little lucky, because Brett Moffitt was leading by a comfortable three seconds when he wrecked with 10 laps left. But someone had to seize the moment, and Pena is glad he did.

"That was pretty cool, just an amazing feeling," Pena said. "I had a lot of family there, and my uncle from Colombia was the first one to give me a hug after I got out of the car. To be able to add my name to the list of people who have won there is pretty special."

Though Pena is racing better because of improved technique, he's also successful because of how much he's enjoying himself away from the track.

He's become friends with motorsports star Travis Pastrana - a 17-time medalist at the X Games who is making his debut in the Nationwide Series this year- and he's making every moment count with his old friends. As a junior, Pena went to a high school in North Carolina, which proved difficult.

"I didn't really have any friends there," Pena said. "It's been great being back home and going to James Wood. I think I definitely made the right decision."

At Radford, Pena will study mechanical engineering, and he'll be able to combine the best of both worlds. Radford is only about an hour and a half from his racing team's headquarters in Mooresville, N.C., and Pena said he knows six people who will be at Radford. One of them is a friend whom Pena will room with.

Before Pena gets to college, though, he's got some ground to make up in the K&N standings.

If Pena can avoid some unlucky breaks - on May 21 he blew a tire, hit the wall and finished 29th at the Iowa Speedway - he likes his chances for success.

"Hopefully things will go well," Pena said. "I'm really excited about the rest of the season."

- Contact Robert Niedzwiecki at
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.