Home is Sweet for Pinkham at Oxford
Oxford, ME — “Patience, lots of patience,” David Pinkham told the media gathering, minutes after he won the “Mainely Action Sports 100” modified race Saturday night at the Oxford Plains Speedway, Oxford, ME. The win was Pinkham’s second victory of the year in True Value Modified Racing Series competition. It was his third career win with the touring series and it brought him closer to point’s leader Chris Pasteryak in the chase for the championship. Pinkham’s last win at Oxford was in 1996 in a pro stock race. Pinkham also becomes a guaranteed starter for the Sunoco Race Fuels Mod-Mania event at Thompson, CT., Speedway September, Set 6, 7.
Pinkham, who had fallen from the top spot with engine woes two weeks ago at Monadnock, slipped by defending champion Kirk Alexander and now, is six points out of first place heading to Pinkham’s home track, Beech Ridge Motor Speedway, Scarborough, ME., Saturday August 2.
Pinkham, Buxton, ME., passed race leader Jean-Paul Cyr, Milton, VT., on a lap 85 restart to go on and score the win. “I would have never caught him without the yellow,” said Pinkham. That caution period was key to the Pinkham/Greeley win. “I knew I could get by him and if I did, I knew I could hold him off. Things went just the way Pinkham figured to send car owner Tom Greeley home happy.
“This victory is for the Greeley’s, Thomas and the family. They put a great car under me, and I’m thrilled to win at Oxford for them. They have a lot of history here.”
The Pinkham/Greeley win had an interesting and ironic twist. Car owner Gary Casella practiced in his # 25 car Saturday and was one of the fastest cars in the field. Casella, who has had eight different drivers in his car this season, told series officials he did not want to drive and he’d be just as happy to put someone in the car. Series officials wondered out loud if NASCAR star Kevin Harvick might consider but it was learned he had other commitments. At race time, Casella disclosed that Cyr would get the nod. The Seven-time ACT champion drove the Casella car at Lee and Thunder Road earlier this season. It seemed to be the logical choice.
Cyr won his heat race easily and started on the pole for the main event and fast became the class of the field. Cyr held the lead until lap 22, turned it over to Kirk Alexander for one lap, took it back and held it until lap 59 when 2006 champion, Dwight Jarvis grabbed it for a single parade circuit, Cyr grabbed it back and appeared to be on his way to his first ever TVMRS win until a minor spin by another car brought out the fourth and final caution flag.
On the restart, Pinkham brought the loudly cheering home town crowd to its feet when he was able to move by Cyr and take the top spot for the final 15 laps. The irony was, Pinkham’s first win with the TVMRS, was in the very car he beat. Casella put Pinkham in his racer in a surprise move in 2005 at Beech Ridge. It was the first time Pinkham had driven a modified in 10 years. Pinkham overwhelmed the field that night with another crowd pleasing win. And just over a week ago, at Lee, NH., Pinkham needed to compete to stay alive in the points chase for the series title. With his own car sidelined with engine problems, the Casella car was leased by Team Greeley to keep there hopes alive. They finished fourth in the Casella racer. And one more interesting note, The Greeley team’s crew chief is Warren Johnson who held the same position with Casella when Pinkham drove the car to the Beech Ridge win. Johnson is credited with having a competitive motor in the Greeley # 22.
Jarvis drove another solid race to finish third. “The car was tight at the end” said the Vermont veteran. Jon McKennedy, who started14th on the field, turned in another late race charge to finish fourth with Les Hinckley, who started alongside McKennedy, rounding out the top five. Sixth through tenth were Chris Pasteryak, Mike Holdridge, Kirk Alexander, Dale Evonsion and Tony Ricci.
Race Summary: Race # 9
Oxford Plains Speedway, Oxford, ME.
Distance: 100 laps
Time of Race: 50 minutes, 21 seconds
Margin of Victory: 0.546
Best Lap Time: 15.193 (Cyr) – Lap 54
Lap Leaders: Cyr 1-22, Alexander 23, Cyr 24-59, D. Jarvis 60-61, Cyr 62-85, Pinkham 86-100
Cautions: (4) (Laps 22, 37, 59, 85)
18 entries (15 cars finished in lead lap)
Sunoco Hard Charger: McKennedy
Sherwood Wheels Award: Hinckley
Black Mountain Half Way: Cyr
Next Event: Beech Ridge Motor Speedway, August 2, 2008
Order of Finish:
1. David Pinkham
2. Jean-Paul Cyr
3. Dwight Jarvis
4. Jon McKennedy
5. Les Hinckley
6. Chris Pasteryak
7. Mike Holdridge
8. Kirk Alexander
9. Dale Evonsion
10. Tony Ricci
11. Peter Jarvis
12. Joe Doucette
13. Jack Bateman
14. Andy Seuss
15. Kenny White
16. Shelly Perry
17 Ed Dachenhausen
18. Butch Perry
Sources:John Spence, Sr./True Value Modified Racing Series PR