Victor Johnson Memorial 100 win goes to Dwight Jarvis at Monadnock Speedway
Winchester, NH — Event #9 of 14 for the ever popular Valenti Modified Racing Series took place Saturday night before a large crowd in near perfect weather. The 100 green flag laps took almost 1 hour 40 minutes to complete due to 15 caution flags and 2 red flags. #43 Kirk Alexander of W. Swanzey NH jumped out to an early lead and held on through 7 cautions and a red flag. The red flag on lap 23 resulted when #19 Dave Schneider of Northport NY, #53 Norman Wrenn of Nashua, NH and the #79 Max Zachem of Preston, CT came together on the back stretch, requiring extensive cleanup.
On the restart #24 Todd Patnode of Richmond, NH chased Alexander looking for a place to pass and on lap 67 finally got by for the lead. In the meantime #28 Dwight Jarvis of Ascutney, VT kept working his way to the front, momentarily settling in behind Patnode. Patnode was running like a rocket on a rail and Jarvis was starting to mount a challenge for the lead, when the Patnode ride slid up the to the wall in turn four with a flat left front tire. Jarvis held on through 2 more yellow flags and powered his way to his first win in 2012 and his 4th win in this series. In Victory Lane Jarvis said this was his favorite race track having much success in over 30 years. “I love this track. The fans here are wonderful.” Too bad Todd got a flat tire Jarvis said. “I had something for him. I was saving something for him at the end.” Meaning Dwight had more power to give.
Finishing second was Rowan Pennink of Huntindon Valley PA driving the ACRO Welding Supply/Melrose Auto Body #25. Third over the line was young Tommy Barrett Jr. in the Victory Lane Bar and Grill #9 of Millis, MA doing an outstanding job of coming back from 5 pit stops and 2 flat tires. Barrett, a 17 year old high school senior, didn’t think he had anything for the front due to early mishaps. “I was riding around, trying to save tires. I just did what I could to get back.” Kirk Alexander of Swanzey, NH and Jon McKennedy of East Chelmsford, MA round out the top 5.
Heat winners were #28 Dwight Jarvis, #43 Kirk Alexander, #5 Chris Pasteryak. Consi winner was #05 Byron Shumway.
Russ Hersey was the 25-lap Sportsman Modified winner with a steadily improving Dan Stebbins finishing in the runner up spot. John Lavoie took his 8th victory of the year in the 25-lap Super Stock division.
The next stop for the VMRS is Friday, August 31st, 2012 at the Stafford Motor Speedway.
Sources: Jim Snape