Szegedy Scores VMRS Opening Night Win at Monadnock

By admin May 3, 2015 Monadnock, VMRS

Ridgefield, CT, modified veteran Todd Szegedy led the opening 11-laps before turning over the top spot to local favorite Kirk Alexander, of West Swanzey, NH, regained the lead on lap-57 to go on and win the ‘Bond Auto Parts Spring Dash 100’ before a large crowd Saturday night at Winchester, New Hampshire’s Monadnock Speedway.

The race was the season opener for the Valenti Modified Racing Series.

The win was the third for Szegedy and car owner Kevin Stuart and their second at Monadnock.

Szegedy started first in the 24-car field and when passed by Alexander fell back to third and never out of the top five.

Was that the plan by the driver of the Stuart Automotive #85 in advance if the 100-lap race. I had a set pace that I knew I wanted to abide by. I stuck to my guns and let the guys go. I focused on not spinning the wheels on restarts. I had to drive a little hard to pass those guys but for the most part that’s what it takes.”

Szegedy furthered, “It’s a great start. We come here to race and win. I’m coming into the season with a whole new attitude of having fun and having fun is going to get me wins. This crew made all the right adjustments. Thanks to Kevin and Kenny Stuart and the crew.”

Woody Pitkat, of Stafford Springs, CT, drove the Peter Kulessa owned modified to a solid runner-up finish.

Pitkat explained,“ It was a good race and a good finish to start the season. The car got real tight towards the end. I was kinda surprised. It got real tight in the center loose off. just battled and did the best I could. Can’t thank these guys enough for giving me the opportunity. Hats off to Todd. (Szegedy) We’ll work on this and get it better for Stafford.”

The event saw local racers make their presence known as Alexander ran well early on with area favorites Russ Hersey, of W. Swanzey, NH, and Todd Patnode, of Richmond, NH, giving it their best. Hersey made it to second at one point and Patnode put on a late race charge to finish third.

Said Patnode, “The car was pretty good. We were probably one adjustment away but we’re real happy with the car. Got to congratulate Todd and Woody on their runs.” The Patnode mount is a new endeavor for car-owner Dan Stebbins.

Chris Pasteryak, Mike Douglas Jr., and Dennis Perry won heat races.

Dwight Jarvis won the 15-lap consi.

Next Event: Stafford Motor Speedway, Stafford, CT
Friday May 22, 2015

Bond Auto Spring Dash 100- Results May 2,2015

  1. 85 Todd Szegedy
  2. 42 Woody Pitkat
  3. 05 Todd Patnode
  4. 25 Rowan Pennink
  5. 06 Les Hinckley III
  6. 88 Russ Hersey
  7. 53 Norm Wrenn
  8. 92 Anthony Nocella
  9. 17 Donnie Lashua
  10. 0 Mike Holdridge
  11. 12 Todd Annarummo
  12. 5CT Chris Pasteryak
  13. 43 Kirk Alexander
  14. 19 David Schneider
  15. 38 Mike Willis Jr.
  16. 66 Dylan Kopec
  17. 50 Carl Medeiros Jr.
  18. 23 Michael Douglas Jr.
  19. 99 Richard Savary
  20. 96 Dennis Perry
  21. 77 Matthew Mead
  22. 46 Jonny Kay
  23. Kevin Iannarelli
  24. 28 Dwight Jarvis

Race had 10 Cautions, 3 lead changes, and took 1 hour 2 minutes and 20.

Sources: John Spence, Sr./VMRS PR