Alexander Sweeps Monadnock

 

 

 

Winchester, NH (August 24, 2008) - -   There is nothing like home cooking and a five minute work commute and that’s exactly what Kirk Alexander enjoys when the True Value Modified Racing Series competes “next town over” as the defending and three-time champion reeled in another win Saturday night in front of a near capacity crowd at the Monadnock Speedway, Winchester, NH.

 

The West Swanzey, NH veteran captured the “Fenton Family Dealerships 100” posting his fifth win of the season, and his 31^st TVMRS victory. Alexander won all three races run at Monadnock this season.

 

Heat winners Dwight Jarvis and Eddie Dachenhausen brought the 22 car field to green with Eddie “D” leading the first circuit and Jarvis the second. The 2006 series champion would hold down the lead until after a lap 10 re-start when Alexander was able to power by and set the pace to the finish. The two drivers, the only champions the series has known, became the class of the field.  A long run of 56 caution-free laps established a torrid pace with Jarvis keeping Alexander within striking distance, many of those laps only a car length separated the two veterans.

 

The battle that developed for third place in the first half of the race also was an attention grabber.  Koszela Speed Rookie of the Year contender  Kenny White Jr, and local favorite Rob Goodenough, were battling for many  laps, often side by side, with the Weare, NH rookie fighting off everything thrown at him by Goodenough until the persistent W.Swanzey, driver was able to sneak by after a lap 67 restart.

 

Goodenough overcame mechanical woes earlier in the day when he suffered rear end problems but his crew aggressively corrected the problem and paved the way for Goodenough to finish a solid third. Rob also becomes a guaranteed starter at Thompson, CT Set 6, 7 for the annual Sunoco Race Fuels Mod-Mania weekend.

 

Mike Holdridge, Madison, CT., continued to show why he is in the hunt for the series championship. The second generation driver is always around the front at the end and he was the only racer to finish in the top five that has no Monadnock Speedway roots.  Holdridge’s fourth place finish avoided a top five sweep by former Monadnock regulars.

 

Jack Bateman, the Canaan, NH., veteran, drove a solid race passing cars at will. Several laps displayed Bateman’s many years of experience at “The Dog” The series founder finished in a creditable fifth.

 

Last weeks Waterford winner Chris Pasteryak finished sixth after starting 22^nd, Dachenhausen settled for seventh, White eighth, David Pinkham ninth, and Jean Paul Cyr tenth.

 

Notes: Rookie Kevin Ianarelli blew an engine in practice. Ianarelli, who just came back to the tour from that hard wreck at Waterford said “we’re done for this year. We’ll focus on finishing the season with the Pro-4 series, but we’ll be back.”

Longtime NH racer George Baldwin spotted for Jon McKennedy. Baldwin just purchased a modified for next season. He has an interest in the TVMRS.

Ben Dodge spoke at the drivers meeting stressing the importance of strong support of the upcoming Mod-Mania event at Thompson Speedway. Dodge indicated the need to plan for the future.

Mike Douglas Sr. says “we’re close” on returning to the series. The father-son team has been sidelined waiting on engine parts for a brand new motor.

 

Race Statistics:

Monadnock Speedway, Winchester, NH

Aug 23, 2008

Race # 13

“Fenton Family Dealerships 100”

23 entrants

Race Time: 46.09

Caution Flags: Laps – 7, 11, 68, 77, 77

Lap Leaders: Dachenhausen (1) D.Jarvis (2-10) Alexander (11-100)

 

Official Finish: 1. Alexander, 2. D.Jarvis, 3. Goodenough 4. Holdridge 5. Bateman

6. Pasteryak 7. Dachenhausen 8.White 9. Pinkham 10. Cyr 11. P.Jarvis 12. Boniface

13. Evonsion 14. Doucette 15. Wenzel 16. Boudreau 17. McKennedy 18. Perry 19. Drown 20. Shumway 21. Hinckley 22. Dolan