The 2007 True Value Modified Racing Series — A Look Back
Canaan, NH —- Enthusiam and optimism for success were two key ingredients for 2007 as the True Value Modified Racing Series entered its fourth year of operation. New drivers, teams, personnel, and a first ever visit to the famed Oxford Plains Speedway, Oxford, ME., highlighted the new campaign. When the green flag dropped to kick off the new season, the Waterford Speedbowl, Waterford, CT, thanks to Mother Nature, played host to the opener for the New England based travelling modified tour. Traditionally the Monadnock Speedway draws the season opener but an uncooperative weatherman had other plans.
Local standout Rob Summers showed a strong field of competitors the fast way around the legendary speedway to notch the opening night “Town Fair 100” win. Summers took the lead on lap 34 and withstood repeated challenges from Ted Christopher, early leader Ed Dachenhausen, and runner-up Todd Patnode. Christopher eventually faded suffering mechanical problems, with Dachenhausen spinning while running second. Rounding out the top-3 was Kirk Alexander.
The series next stop would be the Monadnock Speedway, Winchester, NH.., May 5 with Windsor Locks, CT., racer Les Hinckley putting the Chuck Montville Racing, Custom Tinting Unlimited GTO modified in lane. “The Bond Auto Parts 100” was a hotly contested battle in front a large crowd that braved cold temperatures and gusty wind chills. The event had been postponed twice by rain. It was the second time Hinckley has won the first race at Monadnock. He did so in 2005.
The series did not return to action until the traditional Memorial Day weekend at Monadnock as two-time series champion Kirk Alexander captured the “Artioli Auto Group 100”, in front of a large holiday weekend crowd. Alexander became the third different winner in as many events.
In what was fast becoming an early season showdown between Alexander and Hinckley, Hinckley bounced back to score his second win of the season Sunday afternoon, June 3, at Canaan Fair Speedway, Canaan, NH; capturing the “Canaan 100.” his seventh career win with the True Value Modified Racing Series. The second generation driver captured the same event in 2006. “I’ve always loved this place, we came here year’s ago with the pro stock, won an open comp show, love to come back,” Hinckley said, after being chased to the finish by Alexander. The 100 lap race was delayed one day by severe thunderstorms and torrential downpours.
Rain and monsoon like conditions forced postponement of the June 9 Waterford CT., date. Waterford officials announced the makeup date would be in September. The focus shifted to Lee USA Speedway, Lee, NH.., as “Lightning” Lou Mechalides, Tyngsboro, MA; returned to his old stomping grounds, as the veteran driver captured his third career win with the tour.
The tour closed out the month of June with a stop at the famed Seekonk Speedway, Seekonk, MA., with one of its own capturing a popular win. With a large crowd on hand, Vinnie Annarummo, a six time track champion, a driver who raced modifieds regularly in the 80’s, won his first ever modified race in his 35 year career. “I have fulfilled everything I wanted to do, and I couldn’t retire until I won a modified race.” the veteran driver told cheering fans in victory lane.
The month of July saw four events as the series headed back to Monadnock with Alexander winning the annual “Firecracker 100.” On July 13 a jaunt back to the seacoast and the renamed “Mid –Summer Modified Shootout.” at Lee, NH. took place. Hinckley notched his third win of the season in a caution flag plagued race and a Mod-Mania qualifying spot for the Thompson,CT., race in September. Alexander would finish second.
The much anticipated first ever visit to the Oxford Plains Speedway in Maine was the highlight of July. The series drivers delivered favorably in the Maine-ly Action Sports 100. A huge crowd saw Hinckley start twenty-fourth. race to the front, and eventually get passed by Alexander with 6 laps to go. The finish left the crowd buzzing with the majority of fans on hand for the next days Oxford 250. The Oxford fans were vocal they wanted to see the TVMRS back They got their wish as track owner Bill Ryan secured the series as a Saturday night event on his 2008 Oxford 250 weekend. The month of July closed out with a Monadnock rainout.
August started off with the series heading back up Rte 95 to the historic Beech Ridge Motor Speedway, Scarboro, ME .Once again the all- time winner Kirk Alexander added another victory to his win list capturing the “Beech Ridge 100.” The win by Alexander lengthened his lead in the point standings.
A week later with the tracks largest crowd of the season looking on, twenty-year old racer Jonathan McKennedy fought off Hinckley to win his first series event at the Canaan Fair Speedway, Canaan,NH. The former ISMA super modified rookie of the year earned a guaranteed starting spot for the Mod Mania 400 weekend at the Thompson, CT; Speedway.
A return to Seekonk Aug 18 found Hinckley passing local favorite Vinnie Annarummo,
on a lap 84 restart, to win the “Airgas 100,” his fourth race victory of the season before
a large crowd. It was Hinckley’s ninth career TVMRS win.
Mother nature had the final say Aug 25 as Monadnock Speedway played host to the series for the final time in 2007 and with the 100 lap race nearing the half way mark, the skies over western New Hampshire opened for the second time forcing a stoppage on lap 42 and the race later declared official by series operatives. Leader Rob Goodenough won his first ever TVMRS race at his home track.
The Waterford makeup date was next up on Labor Day weekend and a strong car count responded. Another milestone was reached by Alexander. He scored his 5th win and became the only driver to win at every track competed on by the series.
Mother Nature declared the Thompson Mod Mania weekend a washout after 2 laps of the 75 lap race for the TVMRS. Andy Seuss was in the top spot when flagman John Spence dropped the red flag over the speedway because of heavy downpours. The speedway was forced to schedule the conclusion on Sept 23. The event was only the second race at Thompson for the series, the first being a caution filled event with many broken race cars and bruised egos. The TVMRS needed to redeem itself and it did so in a big way. Competitive heat races and an exciting 73 lap race conclusion left the crowd buzzing when Louie Mechalides earned his second victory of the season in Modified Mania II. Mechalides and Tommy Cravenho waged a torrid battle for the lead over the closing laps with Mechalides finishing just .15 seconds ahead of Cravenho. It was his 4th career series win.
With the season finale at Lee fast approaching on the calendar, all eyes were on Hinckley and Alexander as they were battling it out for the championship. Hinckley his first, Alexander his third. For the second year, it appeared the title would go down to the wire. Defending champion Dwight Jarvis and Jimmy Kuhn settled their battle for the top spot at the NH oval. Would that be the case in 2007?
There was one piece of business to take care of. The drive to the championship needed to go through Seekonk Speedway and the DAV Festival of Racing weekend. Alexander and Hinckley have both met the Venditti family in previous victory lane ceremonies. Would they have that opportunity again? Only fourteen- points separated the two going into the weekend.
Vinnie Annarummo passed Kirk Alexander with just three laps remaining to win the D. Anthony Venditti Memorial Festival of Racing True Value Modified Series 100 lap event at Seekonk Speedway. Alexander’s second place finish clinched the 2007 series point championship. Hinckley, who entered the event 14 points behind Alexander, suffered suspension failure and finished 25th. Alexander’s 56 point margin with one race remaining mathematically eliminated Hinckley.
The season wound down in October at the annual Oktoberfest weekend with another exciting finish as two Lee locals finished 1-2 to wrap up the campaign. Winner Andy Seuss and runner-up Mike Douglas electrified the crowd as they both ran a strong race. Seuss took the lead with 3 laps remaining when Kirk Alexander suffering a cut tire. Douglas was persistent throughout and registered his best finish to date.
Key additions to the 2007 staff included Pete Frappier, Bob MacIlveen.and Mike Chapman as well as popular public relations/media coordinator Mark Mockovak. Well known race official Ben Dodge served in a consultant role.
It was also announced that the series will be visiting the Thunder Road International Speedbowl, Barre VT., and the Wiscasset Raceway, Wiscasset, ME. in 2008.