Happy Homecoming for Alexander
Returns To Claim Monadnock Modified Championship
Daytona Beach, FL — Kirk Alexander marked the return to his home track with a NASCAR Whelen All-American Series championship.
The 38-year-old driver from West Swanzey, N.H., won the Modified Division championship at Monadnock Speedway, a high-banked .250-mile paved oval in Winchester, N.H.
“He’s the kind of person anyone would like to have as their track champion,” Monadnock track promoter Larry Cirillo said. “We’re proud to have him represent us. He portrays a positive picture of what short track racing is. If things don’t go his way, he’s the kind of guy who says ‘that’s racing.’ There’s no finger pointing. He’s a good guy.”
Alexander, who also finished second in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series New Hampshire standings, has been racing for more than two decades and worked his way through just about every weekly division at Monadnock. He left briefly to race in a local touring series but returned last year when the Modified Division was brought back in 2009.
Last year, he placed second to Todd Patnode. This year, Alexander had five wins, nine top fives and 10 top 10s in 10 starts and edged Patnode by six points to claim his second track title. He previously won the track’s Pro Stock division championship in 1998. By then he was also developing his Modified racing career that eventually led him to racing on the road.
“The track is five minutes from my home, and it has good people and good competition,” Alexander said.
Alexander followed his older brother, Leon “Beef” Alexander IV, into racing at Monadnock. He built a Mini Stock division car in the fall of 1988 and raced it three times. He came out of the box being competitive and winning races starting in 1989.
He worked his way through several Monadnock divisions including Late Models and Pro Stocks before his move to the open-wheel Modifieds.
“It went really well,” Alexander said of his transition. “”To me they were easier to drive, more responsive and much faster. I love racing them. Monadnock’s always been a Modified track going back to when Geoff Bodine and Jimmy Spencer were racing here.”
Alexander’s championship winning car is based on a SPAFCO chassis he purchased in 2005 and his long-time engine builder is Horsepower Engineering.
He operates Alexander Sheet Metal, a company founded by his father, Leon “Bob” Alexander III. The company is also one of the car sponsors. Other sponsors include LaJoie of Seating, Black Mountain Painting, Sugar Loaf Frostee, and Bond Auto Parts.
Alexander is an owner/driver. The crew chief and spotter is Jason Moore. Crewmen include Bob Norris, Pete Kulessa, Justin Spraske, and Dan Early.
Alexander will be honored Friday, Dec. 10 at the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Awards Banquet at the Charlotte (N.C.) Convention Center’s Crown Ballroom in the NASCAR Hall of Fame. The NASCAR Whelen All-American Series national champion, U.S. state and Canadian provincial champions, track champions, rookies of the year, and special award winners will be recognized.
The awards ceremony will be streamed live on www.NASCARHomeTracks.com.
Sources: Paul Schaefer/NASCAR PR