Dwight Jarvis Firecracker Hot at Monadnock
Winchester, NH — 40-year veteran Dwight Jarvis showed fellow competitors and Monadnock Speedway fans he still has what it takes when he took the lead from Chris Pasteryak, of Lisbon, CT, on a lap 87 restart and went to win the 10th annual Valenti Modified Racing Series ‘Firecracker 100’ at the New Hampshire speedway before a large and cheering crowd.
The race was contested with temperatures in the mid-90’s and high humidity.
The win was Jarvis first of the season, his fifth series victory at Monadnock, and his seventh career win under the VMRS banner
He also becomes the fifth different winner in five races to date.
[Photo Gallery] by Crystal Snape
It was the late drive through the pack and the quality drivers the Ascutney, VT, veteran needed to pass to get a shot at race leader Pasteryak who led the race a total of 66-laps. Jarvis beat Pasteryak to the draw when the Connecticut driver spun his tires on a late restart and Jarvis took off.
Jarvis made a handful of daring calculated moves in traffic as he worked his way toward the front. The five-time Monadnock champion drew a large ovation when he exited his racecar.
For 40 years Jarvis has been winning races often in dramatic style and it was vintage Dwight in victory lane. “What an old buzzard huh,” said a smiling Jarvis. “Laid a spanking on the boys.”
Jarvis added, “I love this track. The crew did a heck of a job. I don’t make many decisions on the car now. The crew does pretty much what they want to do and we get the car set up. Want to thank my sponsors and the fans. I’m glad we got to show them what we can do instead of eating cement,” Jarvis said with a smile.
Jarvis admitted he got to take his nap earlier in the afternoon and he was ready.
Pasteryak drove a solid race from the get-go and was pleased with the results. “I told my crew with 40 to go I’m leading way to much. We had a good car. On the last restart I got a little over anxious and spun them too much and lit em’ up. It only takes a second.”
Reigning champion Jon McKennedy of East Chelmsford, MA, drove to a third finish in the famed Art Barry owned car. “It was a good run. We started 15th finished third. Would have been good to get a couple of re-starts on the inside. We were always on the outside. Thanks to the crew they worked hard. It’s been a long hot day,” said McKennedy
Rowan Pennink, of Huntingdon Valley, PA, and Richard Savary, of Canton, MA, rounded out the top five positions.
Sixth through tenth place finishers were, Norm Wrenn, Dale Holdridge, Max Zachem, Tommy Barrett, and Jim Boniface.
9 caution flags slowed the race. The 100-laps were completed in 57 minutes, 47 seconds.
Race No. 5- Monadnock Speedway
Entrants: 30 (24 starters)
Distance: 100 laps
Time of Race: 57:47.822
Margin of Victory: 0.213
Best Lap Time: 12.776 (28-Jarvis)
Lead Changes: 6 (among 3 drivers)
Lap Leaders: Pennink 1-2, Pasteryak 3-16, Goodenough 17-36, Pasteryak 37-87, Jarvis 88-100
Cautions: 9 cautions, on laps- 30,35,48,54,59,65,68,87,87
Heat Winners: Pennink, Wrenn, D.Jarvis
Consi Winner: Boniface
Unofficial Order of Finish
(1) D. Jarvis, (2) Pasteryak, (3) McKennedy (4) Pennink, (5) Savary, (6) Wrenn, (7) Holdridge, (8) Zachem (9) Barrett, (10) Boniface, (11) Mechalides, (12) Masse, (13) Spiers, (14) P. Jarvis, (15) Berube, (16) Patnode, (17) Jordan, (18) Mead, (19) Pearl, (20) Nocella, (21) Goodenough, (22) Smith, (23) Owen, (24) Kopec.
Sources: John Spence, Sr./VMRS PR