Valenti Modified Racing Series Firecracker 100 Saturday
Canaan, NH — An Independence Day holiday weekend tradition continues Saturday night, July 5, as the Valenti Modified Racing Series invades the high-banked Monadnock Speedway, Winchester, NH., for the 11th annual ‘Firecracker 100’ for open-wheel modified race cars.
The yearly event draws a strong field of cars and a large turnout of race fans for the holiday race program and popular fireworks presentation.
As of Tuesday, 27 VMRS race teams indicated they plan to compete in this Saturday’s event.
The race annually pits drivers with a successful history at the tricky quarter mile against those that are still trying to conquer the popular western New Hampshire speedplant.
Two drivers that have won 21 of the 37 VMRS races contested at Monadnock, are entered.
16-time Monadnock winner Kirk Alexander, the series all-time winning driver, will compete with 5-time Monadnock victor, legendary Dwight Jarvis, of Ascutney, VT. also on the pre-race roster.
Add another popular Monadnock driver, multi-time winner Russ Hersey, of Swanzey, NH, into the mix. He’ll drive for car owner Warren Mordenti.
Current point leader Todd Szegedy, of Ridgefield, CT, a former Monadnock winner and reigning champion and two-time Monadnock victor Rowan Pennink, of Huntingdon Valley, PA, are entered.
Holtsville, New York’s, Justin Bonsignore, two-time champion, Chris Pasteryak, of Lisbon, CT, Steve Masse, of Bellingham, MA.and last weeks Lee winner, Richard Savary of Canton, MA, are entered.
New Hampshire drivers, Dana Smith, of Sunapee, ‘Mister Rooter’ Rookie of the Year point leader Mike Willis Jr, of Grantham, and Matthew Mead, of Richmond, are all expected.
Heading to Monadnock the points chase for the series championship shows Szegedy at an even 300 with a 22-point lead over Pennink. Bonsignore and Pasteryak are tied for third with 263 points each. Masse has 252 points and Richard Savary, with his win at Lee last Friday, has drawn closer to the top five with 242 points.
Grandstand seating opens at 3:00 PM with qualifying races at 5:00 PM
Sources: John Spence, Sr./VMRS PR