Masse Scores First Win In Crash Filled Thunder Road Race
Barre, VT — What a difference a year makes. Last May, the historic Thunder Road International Speedbowl, Barre, VT., was tough to conquer for Steven Masse. Sunday afternoon, mission accomplished.
The 19 year old racer from Bellingham, MA., in only his second year of competition with the True Value Modified Racing Series, passed race leader Chris Pasteryak on lap 87, and went on to win the 100 lap Memorial Day Classic at the famed Vermont speedway before a huge holiday weekend crowd. Not only was it Masse’s first win, the victory moved him into first place in the point standings.
In a pre-race meeting Thunder Road operator Tom Curley told series drivers, “You have to respect this place, keep that in mind, this race track will bite you if you don’t.” Several drivers competing at the famed race track for the first time, would later agree. The race, plagued by 12 caution periods and one red flag to clear the track from damaged cars, slowed the pace of the feature race, the third event of a 15 race schedule. Nine of those caution periods came between laps 70 and 80.
Pasteryak jumped into the lead at the drop of the green flag from his outside front row starting position and opened up a sizeable lead until he was reeled in by the field. Pasteryak fended off several attempts for the lead from several competitors.
Pole sitter Peter Jarvis chased the race leader early on with Les Hinckley moving into the runner-up spot on lap 6 and giving chase until lap 51. A fast closing Jonathan McKennedy moved into second on lap 52 and quickly reeled in Pasteryak to contest for the lead.
McKennedy appeared to be the class of the field with Masse staying close as they worked their way to the front. Suddenly on lap 73, McKennedy pulled out of the race with engine problems. With Rowan Pennink now a factor, Masse blew by Pennink on lap 86 and then Pasteryak on lap 87 to take over the top spot.
Masse then opened a sizeable lead over the field driving the LG Products -Northeast Race Cars sponsored # 13 Monte Carlo to victory.
Pennink, who started sixth in the field, finished second, Kirk Alexander, last years winner finished third, followed by Eddie Dachenhausen, and Jack Bateman. Mike Holdridge, Les Hinckley, Peter Jarvis, Pasteryak, and Rob Goodenough rounded out the top ten.
Qualifying races were won by Jarvis, Pasteryak and McKennedy. 25 race teams journeyed to Thunder Road with all 25 cars starting the event. 14 cars finished the race. Pasteryak had the fastest race lap of 12.236.
The next event for the TVMRS will be the Granite State Harley-Davidson 100, Friday night, June 5, at Twin State Speedway, Claremont, NH. At 7 PM
Race Summary Race # 3
Thunder Road International Speedway
Barre, Vermont
May 24, 2009
Distance: 100 laps
Time of Race: 1:01:33:814
Margin of Victory: 2.605
Lap Leaders: Pasteryak (1-86) Masse (87-100)
Cautions Flags: (12) Laps 0,3,70 (2) 75 (2) 79 (2) 80 (3)
Red Flag: 1
25 Started Event (14 cars finished)
Sunoco Hard Charger: Holdridge
Sherwood Wheels Award: Bateman
Next Event: Twin State Speedway, Claremont, NH June 5, 2009
Order of Finish — 1. Masse, 2. Pennink, 3. Alexander 4. Dachenhausen 5. Bateman 6. Holdridge 7. Hinckley 8. P. Jarvis 9. Pasteryak 10. Goodenough 11. Dolan. 12. Douglas 13. Spiers 14. Cleary 15. White 16. Seuss 17. D.Jarvis 18. Bodreau 19. McKennedy 20. Ianarelli 21. R Perry 22. Dore 23. Doucette 24. Ricci 25. S Perry
Sources: John Spence, Sr./True Value Modified Racing Series PR