Alexander Shines in Monadnock Opener
Winchester, NH — Point leader and defending series champion Kirk Alexander, Swanzey, NH., returned to his home race track Saturday night, started last in a 26 car field, passed cross town rival Rob Goodenough on lap 86, to win the” Bond Auto Parts 100″ in front of a near capacity crowd at Monadnock Speedway. The True Value Modified Racing Series event was Alexander’s 28th career victory and his third season opening win at the track known as “The Dog.”
Pole sitter Chris Pasteryak, Lisbon, CT., set a torrid pace holding off the constant challenges of 2007 Rookie of the Year, Peter Jarvis, Acutney,VT., Jarvis stayed within striking distance of Pasteryak with Bryan Shumway, Belchertown, MA., last years winner, Les Hinckley, Windsor Locks, CT., and 2006 champion Dwight Jarvis,Ascutney, in hot pursuit.
By lap 20, Danbury CT’s Ed Dachenhausen worked his way into fifth and ran strong until a late race mishap would force him to the sidelines. The race pace was fast early on with the first of six caution flags not displayed until lap 38 for a Chris Wenzel spin. The Holyoke, MA. veteran was able to rejoin the race which stayed under green until lap 54 when a David Pinkham, Buxton, ME, and Jon McKennedy, Chelmsford, MA spin drew the caution.
On the restart, Peter Jarvis vaulted into the top spot and held it until lap 66 when Goodnough powered by. At this point, Alexander was fast making his move to the front and by the lap 70 marker, the three-time champion was in third and quickly closing in on Jarvis.
Lap 73 saw Alexander pass Jarvis setting up a great battle with Goodnough for the top spot. A caution period slowed the pace on lap 85 resulting in Alexander motoring by Goodenough on the restart lap. The two former Monadnock pro-stock standouts raced hard and clean often side by side bringing the crowd to it’s feet several times. When the checkers dropped on the 100th circuit, Alexander’s margin of victory was a car length and a half over Goodenough.
Goodenough, Pinkham, Dwight Jarvis, Peter Jarvis, Hinckley, Mike Holdridge, Madison, CT., Pasteryak, Dale Evonsion, E.Hartland, CT., and Rookie of the Year contender Kenny White.Jr, Weare, NH., rounded out the top ten.
Qualifying heats were won by Pasteryak, Shumway, and Peter Jarvis.
The next stop for the TVMRS will be Saturday May 3, at the Waterford CT Speedbowl with heat races starting at 4:30 PM.
Bond Auto Parts 100
Monadnock Speedway
Winchester NH
April 26, 2008
Race Leaders: Pasteryak (1-54) P.Jarvis (55- 65) Goodenough (66-85) Alexander (86-100)
Caution Flags: 6
Race Time: 51:03
Black Mountain Painting Award: ½ way leader: Pasteryak
Sunoco Hard Charger: Alexander
Order Of Finish: (1) Alexander, (2) Goodenough (3) Pinkham (4) D.Jarvis (5) P.Jarvis (6) Hinckley (7) Holdridge (8) Pasteryak (9) Evonsion (10) White (11) Douglas (12) Berube (13) Wenzel (14) Bateman (15) Masse (16) Dachenhausen (17) Doucette) (18) Dolan (19) Ianarelli (20) Spiers (21) Perry (22) Bodreau (23) L’etoile (24) Shumway (25) McKennedy (26) Cravenho.
New & Notes:
Jarvis Motorsports announced the popular N.H. concert facility Meadowbrook/US Cellular Pavillion as a new sponsor. The Jarvis team plans to raffle off concert tickets at future races.
Eddy Spiers made his first series start. Spiers raced at Riverside Park in the late 90’s and has not competed since 2002.
Good to see longtime car owner and nice guy Wally Albro making the rounds. At age 82, Wally has been battling colon cancer. Peter Jarvis did a great job in the famed 9NH. Considering Wally’s health, a trip up from Florida, and getting the racer ready, this team can be proud of their run at Monadnock. Said Dennis Albro, “We’re here because Dad wanted to be.” Talking the good old days with Wally is time well spent.
David Pinkham notched another podium finish. “I cannot say enough about the opportunity Tom Greeley has given me and the dedication from Warren Johnson has been incredible. “Warren spent many a day or night on Rte 95 to come help us get ready” said Pinkham. Johnson hails from the Woburn MA area. and came over from the Gary Casella team.
Rookie Stephen Masse seems to be right at home in his first two efforts with the series. The Belligham, MA driver who will graduate from high school in June, finished fourth in his heat race. It’s no secret a TVMRS heat race can be a tough deal. Highly competitive sprint races that one fan lamented, “I don’t do concession stands when the True Value heats are running.”
I seem to recall Bellingham being home to another former modified racer. Some guy by the name of Geoff Bodine when he piloted Dick Armstrong’s famed # 1 Pinto.
Tommy Cravenho back in the Gary Casella # 25 at Monadnock. . Andy Seuss among the missing with engine woes from the Lee show.
A tip of the True Value cap to the Shumway team. Bryan and Dad Bruce suffered a punctured oil pan in practice and appeared done for the night. In an effort that Hints from Heloise would appreciate, they broke out epoxy and plugged the problem, went out and won their qualifying heat, started outside front row, and ran in the top five early on in the feature. Late race mishaps forced them out of the event.
Sixteen cars finished the 100 lap grind on the lead lap with 21 of the original 26 starters around at the finish.
Eddie Dachenhasuen says he’s pleased with his new venture, teaming with Nils Linstedt and driving the # 10x car. Eddie “D” has adapted well and says, “We’re having fun.”
Sources: John Spence, Sr./TVMRS PR