Wild True Value Modified Finish at Thompson
Thompson, CT — Todd Owen, Somers, CT., had a fast race car Saturday, one of the quickest cars in practice runs for Sunday’s True Value Modified Series race at Thompson, CT., Speedway. When heavy downpours forced cancellation of qualifying races, a starting lineup was established by car owner point standings. The veteran driver, who runs a limited schedule for owner Luther Hosmer, was forced to start 21st in a 31 car field, stayed out of trouble in a crash filled race, and won his first ever TVMRS race at the Sunoco Race Fuel sponsored,”Mod Mania” race program. The win was a surprise to Owen and the large crowd on hand because of the way he got to victory lane.
The 75 lap race saw pole sitter Chris Pasteryak, Lisbon, CT., jump into the lead and hold the top spot until a lap 38 crash ended the day for the current series point leader. As Pasteryak and second place car Eddie Dachenhausen, Danbury, CT., battled for the lead, Dachenhausen’s right front tire made contact with Pasteryak sending the leader airborne, straddling the safety barrier for several feet, before coming to a stop with a damaged race car. Dachenhausen was disqualified by series officials.
Ted Christopher, Plainville, CT., inherited the lead on the restart with Buxton ME., veteran David Pinkham giving chase for the next 36 laps. It was then that the race took on a wild finish.
Owen entered the final lap in third position, watched the two lead cars, Christopher and Pinkham, come together in front of him, exited the fourth corner in second place, and then, per order of series officials, drove a victory lap waving a checkered flag before the large sun drenched crowd.
Owen was credited with the win followed by Mike Holdridge, Madison, CT., Jeff Malave, South Windsor CT., Rowan Pennick, Huntington Valley, PA., Jimmy Kuhn, W. Bridgewater, MA., Peter Jarvis, Ascutney, VT., Kenny White Jr, Weare, NH., and Kirk Alexander, W. Swanzey, NH. making up the top ten.
Owen became the seventh different winner this season and the 22nd different winner since 2004.
Both cars involved in the last turn incident were, by rule, placed to the rear of the lead lap, with Pinkham credited with a 14th place finish and Christopher 15th, one lap down.
Owen, credited with the win.
A total of five caution flags slowed the race which was marred by three multi-car crashes. 14 cars finished on the lead lap with 16 of the original 31 cars finishing the event. The 75 lap race took 55 minutes to complete.
Next Event: Sept 20, 2008 All-Star Speedway, Epping, NH.
Race Summary
Thompson International Speedway
Thompson, CT
Race # 15
Entries: 31
Lap Leaders: Pasteryak (1-38) Christopher (39-74) Pinkham (75)
Caution Flags: Laps 24, 24, 34, 38, 72
Race Time: 55:02:490
Black Mountain Painting Halfway: Pasteryak
Order of Finish: (1) Owen (2) Holdridge (3) Malave (4) Pennick (5) Kuhn (6) P Jarvis (7) Perry (8) D. Jarvis (9) White (10) Alexander (11) Bateman (12) Spiers (13) Doucette (14) Pinkham (15) Christopher (16) Vogel (17) Drown (18) Blewett (19) Annarummo (20) Hinckley (21) Pasteryak (22) Goodenough (23) Masse (24) Schofield (25) McKennedy (26) Ianarelli (27) Dolan (28) Roys (29) Evonsion (30 Boudreau Dachenhausen: DQ.
Sources: John H. Spence Sr./TVMRS PR