TVMRS Notebook 3rd Edition
Thunder Road leftovers and other things…
With the spring portion of the 2008 schedule, Lee, Monadnock, Waterford , and Thunder Road , in the books, it comes as no surprise defending champion, Kirk Alexander, has three wins to start the new campaign. What has been a pleasant surprise is the emergence of David Pinkham and car owner Tom Greeley as viable candidates for a championship. As the tour heads to Seekonk June 14 to start the summer schedule, Pinkham enjoys a 24 point lead over Alexander. Kirk opted out of the Waterford show because of predicted rain. Pinkham won that one to put him atop the standings. Additionally, Chris Pasteryak and Mike Holdridge wrap up May in third and fourth spots with only four points separating them. 06 champ Dwight Jarvis sits fifth.
With car counts averaging around 25 per event, all things considered, not a bad start, but the question remains where do we go from here. Gas prices continue to climb, as of this writing $4.49 a gallon in Chicago, which leaves us to wonder what mid-summer will bring. A total of 39 of the 58 registered drivers have competed this spring. Not bad.With stops coming up at Seekonk and Waterford , look for some teams to compete with the series that have not yet done so.. How many remains to be seen.
25 cars towed to Thunder Road with the end result a very competitive race, a widespread interest from fans that had never seen or heard a modified before, and a strong desire to return by competitors and fans alike. Several tour officials indicated that fans were coming up to them thanking (them) for bringing the tour to Vermont . As one official said, “I just work here, but it is amazing how these people reacted to our series. Anyone with a True Value uniform on was followed by fans asking questions about the cars, drivers and the series. These people love their full bodied cars but they really liked our show.”
The Chrome Horn modified website continues to do a great job covering modifieds and short track racing. J.A.Ackley provided live updates from T-Road and does a fabulous job.
“Different directions” said car owner Marco Turcotte when speaking of the recent split between him and driver Louie Mechalides. Mechalides has seen success with the owner endowed with utterance including a track title at Lee in small block supermodifieds and as a 4-time winner on the TVMRS. “We’ve been together a long time but I’m okay with it,’ said the Nashua , NH , resident. “Maybe someday Louie will sit in my car again.”
As for now, Kirk Alexander will fill the seat of the Turcotte racer. . Alexander admits he was not going to run the entire series. “I’ll drive Marco’s car at the shows I was not going to run my car.” Alexander will enter the Wiscasset Raceway event June 28. The # 40 will be renumbered #43.
As for Mechalides, he bought back the car he drove last year that Turcotte sold to purchase a new SPACFO car “We are going through that car right now and plan to run selected True Value events.” said Mechalides. The Tyngsboro, MA driver also plans to run at All-Star Speedway more regularly.
From the Impressive File:
Sean Bodreau, hard work, patience, overcoming someone else’s misfortune and top ten finishes. Dad Ernie has that proud look going. Good for the # 1 race team. Good for Ernie! Rob Goodenough, fast at T-Road, turned the high banks at 12.24 to set a new track record. Tom Curley said it was good enough for a 100 M.P.H. blast down the back chute. And to think the famed “Widow Maker” is waiting on the other side. Eddie Dachenhausen: Eddie D has made the Linstedt # 10x go fast. They are currently in the top 10 in points and with a little luck here and there could start to climb in the standings.
Steve Masse: After a tough start, an even tougher Thunder Road practice, and an even worse end to the weekend, this soon to be graduating high school senior was impressive early at the Nations Site of Excitement. In fact the kid turned a few heads.
Good to see and chat with Dave Moody at Thunder Road . Moody is one of the very best announcers in the business who I enjoy “talking shop” with. He is good company for the commute home if you have Sirius Radio in your motor vehicle.
Koszela Speed has signed on to sponsor the Rookie of the Year program.
Rookie Kenny White Jr raced at Thunder Road in 1999 in Busch North Series action.That year White became the youngest driver to qualify for a Busch race.
Jack Bateman was involved in a practice crash that required a trip home to Canaan for repairs. Jack returned for Sundays race and had a top five run going late eventually finishing a strong sixth. A tip of the TV hat to the # 17 crew.
Jared Goodell stepped up to the microphone on practice day at Thunder Road and did from all accounts a fine job. Jared, whose real interest is the broadcasting business, is going to work along side yours truly in the tower and also on pit road. The plan is to have a system in place shortly that Jared will be able to go live from the pit area during TVMRS races ala Gary Danko at Waterford .
Speaking of Danko, check him out on www. speedwaylinereport.com Monday nights talking racing with in-studio guests. Gary ‘s show originates from WATR, Waterbury , CT , but is streamed on the internet. Danko talks modifieds most of the time.
Congrats to Koszela Speed Rookie of the Year contender Kevin Ianarelli on the recent Pro-4 modified win at Waterford .
Karl Fredrickson tells us he is working on his modified. His job requires more time on the road resulting in no time for the race car. Hope to see the # 41 team soon.
Trivia Answer: Marissa Niederhauer was the first female to compete with the TVMRS
Sources: John Spence Sr./TVMRS PR