Alexander Nabs Fourth Win at Beech Ridge

The all time winner on the True Value Modified Racing Series added another victory to his win list Saturday night as Kirk Alexander, W. Swanzey, NH; roared to victory in the “Beech Ridge 100” at the famed Beech Ridge Motor Speedway, Scarborough, ME. The win by Alexander, his fourth of the season, was his 24th career win with the traveling series and it lengthens his lead in the point standings in his quest for his third series title.

Canaan, NH; veteran Jack Bateman and Hampstead, NH; charger Andy Seuss brought the field to green with Seuss jumping into the top spot and leading the first eight laps until passed by Ed Dachenhausen, Danbury, CT; who started third.

The first of six caution flags flew on lap 20 for an incident involving David Pinkham, Buxton, ME; the 2005 winner, and Mike Douglas. Jr, Auburn, NH. When the race went back to green, Dachenhausen led Les Hinckley, Windsor Locks, CT; Bateman, Louie Mechalides, Tygnsboro, MA; and Dale Evonsion, E. Harland, CT; the 2006 winner.

Lap 21 saw Jimmy Kuhn, W. Bridgewater, MA; draw the second yellow when he slowed and came to a stop. Three laps later, Bateman passed Dachenhausen for the lead and set a torrid pace with Mechalides in hot pursuit. “Lightnin” Lou put his mount into the lead on lap 39, claimed the Black Mountain Painting award as the half way leader, and led Bateman, Hinckley, Alexander, and Dachenhausen with 50 laps in.

The third caution flag flew for Pinkham, the local favorite, who spun on lap 51. On the restart and on lap 52, Bateman took the top spot again and took off opening up a sizeable lead. Bateman would hold onto the lead until lap 75 when he ran over debris on the speedway cutting down a right front tire. Bateman’s misfortune resulted in turning over the lead to Alexander.

At lap 80, an interesting story was developing as Madison, CT; veteran Mike Holdridge, a newcomer to the series this season, had cracked the top five. Following a lap 86 spin by Evonsion, Holdridge got by Dachenhausen, moving to second spot, and set his sights on race leader Alexander. The final yellow flew on lap 96 for a three car incident in turn one involving Seuss, Bill Goodrow, Pembroke, MA; and Todd Patnode, W. Swanzey, NH. On the single file restart, Holdridge set after Alexander but the two time champion was able to keep the second generation driver at bay to score the victory. Holdridge, at his request, started last in the 24 car field, stayed out of trouble, was patient throughout the race, and captured his best finish on the tour to date. Dachenhausen, despite a nagging toothache, drove a fabulous race and earned his best finish of the season, a third.

Mechalides, Hinckley, Tony Ricci, Vinnie Annarummo, Sean Bodreau, Jonathan McKennedy, and Jimmy Dolan rounded out the top ten.

Heat races were won by Bateman, Seuss, and Dachenhausen, with McKennedy winning the last chance race.

Next event: Canaan Fair Speedway, Canaan, NH. Saturday August 11 at 6:00 PM

Race Summary:
Beech Ridge Speedway: Scarborough, Maine
Saturday August 4, 2007
Race Time: 55:38.373
Cautions: (6) – Laps 20, 21, 51, 75, 86, 96

Leaders: Seuss 1-8, Dachenhausen 9-24, Bateman 25-39, Mechalides 40-51, Bateman 52-75 Alexander 76-100.

DNQ- P. Jarvis, B. Shumway, C. Pasteryak, T. Dias, K. Vogel. J. Bush (engine failure) enroute to pre race scale.

Black Mountain Painting Half Way Award: Mechalides

Sherwood Racing Wheel Award : Hinckley

Koszela Speed Award: Annarummo

Tour Notes:

Johnny Bush had a tough trip to Beech Ridge. A fuel pump went on his tow vehicle in the parking lot where he spent the night in Connecticut. On race day, the engine blew in the pit area enroute to a pre race weigh in.

In the three years the series has visited Beech Ridge, the historic race track has become a special place for several drivers. Two years ago, David Pinkham won the race, the first time he drove a modified in ten years. Last season, Dale Evonsion won his first ever modified race, It also marked the first time a teenaged driver finished in the top five in a series event. Ryan Preece at age 15, finished fourth last season and Saturday night good things happened for Mike Holdridge and Ed Dachenhausen with podium finishes. “It was worth the 4 hour drive” said Holdridge in victory lane.