Will August Produce Another First On True Value Modified Tour
Canaan, NH — Four famed race tracks, four consecutive race dates, and four drivers atop the point standings battling for the 2009 championship. It sets the stage for the True Value Modified Racing Series as its competitors prepare for the dogs days of August and exciting racing at short track venues long in history and tradition.
The month of August has produced several “firsts” with the sixth year series both on the track and in the pit area.
Beech Ridge Motor Speedway Scarborough, ME; Waterford CT Speedbowl; Seekonk MA Speedway; and Connecticut’s Thompson International Speedway, will play hosts to New England’s premier modified racing series. The four events will provide an indication of who will be in the hunt for the title come fall and the series final three races of the season.
Mother Nature was the winner of last years event at Beech Ridge, the race postponed when a suitable date in the schedule could not be worked out.
With the month of August quickly approaching, the Maine contingent of David Pinkham, Buxton, Tony Ricci, Westbrook, and newcomer, Jacob Dore, Sanford, are anxious to take on the popular one-third mile oval on Saturday night, Aug 8.
Pinkham will always be remembered for his (first) TVMRS victory, a dramatic win in 2005, when he surprisingly appeared in the Gary Casella owned, Roscoe Racing, # 25 car, delivering a crowd pleasing, emotional victory, in front of his hometown fans.
Pinkham had not driven a modified racer for close to ten years. The veteran driver will pilot the Tom Greeley owned, Warren Johnson wrenched, # 22 at Beech Ridge. Johnson was the crew chief of the Casella owned car in 2005, that teams (first) win. Other former winners of the race are Dale Evonsion, his (first) TVMRS win in 2006, and Kirk Alexander in 2007.
Only two races have been staged at Waterford Speedbowl during the summer season and last year the series shared the spotlight with the ISMA supermodifieds and NEMA midgets before one of the largest crowds at the shore line oval in years. The three open-wheel touring divisions will share the stage again this year for the second annual Wings ‘N Wheels, Saturday night, Aug 15.
Last year also saw another hometown favorite win his (first) career TVMRS race, as Chris Pasteryak, Lisbon, CT; scored the popular victory wheeling the Dawley’s Auto # 15CT to victory at his “home” race track. The other summer Waterford race was garnered by Alexander, in 2007.
Seekonk Speedway became the second venue last August to be rained out and not rescheduled. Les Hinckley was victorious in August of 2007 and Alexander in 2005.
This year, the points chase for the championship will certainly heat up in time for the “Del’s Lemonade” 100 at the “Cement Palace” on Saturday night, August 22.
Hopefully three times a charm when owner Don Hoenig opens the gates at his Thompson Speedway Thursday, August 27. Twice rained out, a strong field of racers is expected. 34 TVMRS teams were on hand when Mother Nature postponed the program July 23. The 75 lap race is presented by Town Fair Tire. Todd Owen won his (first) TVMRS race last year, giving long time car owner Luther Hosmer, his (first) True Value Series win.
TVMRS Notes: Jon McKennedy enjoys a 26 point lead over Rob Goodenough (306-280) in their quest for the series title. Earlier point leader Steven Masse (276) and Ed Dachenhausen (268) are third and fourth in the standings. 54 race teams have been scored points to date.
Sources: John Spence, Sr./True Value Modified Racing Series PR