Mechalides Scores Back to Back Wins at Seekonk
Seekonk, MA — Louie Mechalides, of Tyngsboro, MA, took the lead on lap 51 and went on to win his second consecutive “Seekonk 100” Saturday night, June 8, at Seekonk (MA) Speedway. Mechalides captured the June event last season.
Mechalides, while running a strong third, inherited the top spot when leader Todd Annarummo, of Swansea, MA, and Steven Masse, of Bellingham, MA, both victims of a slower car, spun from the lead.
Mechalides then dealt with Dwight Jarvis, of Ascutney, VT, Chris Pasteryak, of Lisbon, CT, and later Tommy Barrett, of Millis, MA, as all took a stab at the lead. Jarvis tried for 38 laps to get by Mechalides but was denied every time.
Barrett became a player late in the race as he pressured the leader laps 95 through 99. The classic battle to the finish, for second, found Jarvis passing Barrett by inches.
Mechalides post race paid respect to those that led and challenged him for the win. “All those guys are really fast and Todd was extremely fast today. I didn’t even try to race with him. I just let him go. I was just trying to race my own race. I knew there would be a couple of cautions. Dwight was awesome. Raced me clean and really makes it fun,” said Mechalides.
For Mechalides it was his third win at the famed oval.” Seekonk it seems has always been pretty good to me. I enjoy coming here. The car runs pretty decent here and we had a lot of fun.”
Mechalides also dedicated the win, his seventh VMRS victory, to a long time friend, Bill Furey.who is very ill.
Richmond, NH, veteran made a late race charge to finish fourth with Rowan Pennink, of Huntingdon Valley, PA, fifth.
Richard Savary, Norm Wrenn, Pasteryak, Tim Jordan, and Max Zachem, rounded out the top ten.
The Valenti Modified Racing Series is off now until Friday, June 21, when the 10th Anniversary season continues at Stafford (CT) Motor Speedway for an 80-lap event.
Official Order of Finish
(1) Mechalides
(2) Jarvis
(3) Barrett
(4) Patnode
(5) Pennink
(6) Savary
(7) Wrenn
(8) Pasteryak
(9) Jordan
(10) Zachem
(11) Holdridge
(12) Mead
(13) Meservey
(14) Barnett
(15) Owen
(16) Masse
(17) Pearl
(18) Spiers
(19) Annarummo
(20) Smith
(21) Houlihan
(22) Nocella
(23) Goodenough
(24) Rocco
Sources: John Spence, Sr./VMRS PR