MRS Schedule Draws Interest from Veteran Racers
Canaan, NH — The 19 race Modified Racing Series schedule, with three new tracks added to the list in 2010, has drawn interest from racers throughout the Northeast. Close to 60 teams have registered for the new campaign with many first time competitors securing car numbers. The recently announced roster shows the majority of last years regulars returning, and several new to the series competitors slated to try the New England based touring division.
Noted car builder/owner Art Barry, a member of the New England Auto Racing Hall of Fame, and the New York State Stock Car Racing Hall of Fame, will field a car with the seventh-year series, a move he is eagerly looking forward too.
“I like the series, I like the rules package, its low key, and I like that style. The officials run a good program.” Barry, who has fielded race cars for well over 50 years for some of the sports best drivers added, “I really am looking forward to the New York races, especiallly Malta.”
The MRS will venture to the Albany-Saratoga Speedway in April for the first time. That event has huge interest from many race teams. The event will be co-sanctioned with the New York based Race of Champions tour. Upwards of 60 cars are expected to enter. Barry is presently talking with 2009 MRS champion Jon McKennedy about piloting his racer this season for selected events. Barry also looks forward to competing at Airborne Speedway, Plattsburg, NY., Memorial Day weekend.
2006 champion Dwight Jarvis, Ascutney, VT., a 36 year veteran, has never seen the Albany-Saratoga race track. “No, never been there, but we are planning on hitting that one”, said the 19 time- track champion. Jarvis would like to pull off what David Pinkham did when he romped to victory at Waterford, CT., a track Pinkham had never seen.
Three-time series champion Kirk Alexander, W.Swanzey, NH., acknowledges there are dates on the schedule that interest him.“ I’m really assessing things right now, I plan to run Monadnock regularly, the two MRS races there, we would like to try and make the opener at Waterford, The New York dates interest me, and I’m very interested in the Stafford Springs show,” said the driver with the most series wins. Alexander expects to have a better idea in the next few weeks on what he’ll be able to commit too.
Other newcomers to the series, but well known competitors to fans include, Ronnie Silk, Norwalk, CT., Eric Goodale, Riverhead, NY., Tom Bolles, Ellington, CT., David Cranmer, North Hanover, NJ., and Bryon Chew, Inlet,NY. All are planning on competing in selected events.
Connecticut standouts Rob Janovic, of Waterford, Rob Summers, of Vernon, CT., Jeff Pearl, Salem,CT., Mike Holdridge, Madison, and Lisbon’s, Charlie Pasteryak are registered for the 2010 season. The drivers from the Nutmeg State have their eyes on their own backyard with two events at Waterford, two at Thompson Speedway, and the inaugural “Shark Cycle Modified Racing Series 100” at Stafford Springs Motor Speedway in September.
Former series winners, Sean Bodreau, Claremont, NH., Les Hinckley, Windsor Locks, CT., 2008 champion, Chris Pasteryak, Lisbon, CT., Eddie Dachenhausen, Danbury, CT., Jimmy Dolan, Bethel, CT., Todd Owen, Somers, CT., Jimmy Kuhn.W.Bridgewater, MA., Jack Bateman, Canaan, NH., Mike Stefanik, Coventry, RI., Vinnie Annarummo, Swansea, MA., Doug Coby, Milford, CT., Kenny Barry, Preston, CT., Maine drivers, Tony Ricci, David Pinkham, and Jacob Dore, Jim Boniface, Winchester, NH., Louis Mechalides, Tyngsboro, MA. and Pennsylvania hotshoe, Rowan Pennink are on the 2010 roster.
The 2010 Modified Racing Series campaign kicks off March 27, 28 at Waterford, CT.
Sources: John Spence, Sr./Modified Racing Series PR