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The
2007 True Value Modified Racing Series --- A Look Back
Canaan, NH ---- Enthusiam and optimism for success were
two key ingredients for 2007 as the True Value Modified
Racing Series entered its fourth year of operation. New
drivers, teams, personnel, and a first ever visit to the
famed Oxford Plains Speedway, Oxford, ME., highlighted the
new campaign. When the green flag dropped to kick off the
new season, the Waterford Speedbowl, Waterford, CT, thanks
to Mother Nature, played host to the opener for the New
England based travelling modified tour. Traditionally the
Monadnock Speedway draws the season opener but an
uncooperative weatherman had other plans.
Local standout Rob Summers showed a strong field of
competitors the fast way around the legendary speedway to
notch the opening night “Town Fair 100” win.
Summers
took the lead on lap 34 and withstood repeated challenges
from Ted Christopher, early leader Ed Dachenhausen, and
runner-up Todd Patnode. Christopher eventually faded
suffering mechanical problems, with Dachenhausen spinning
while running second. Rounding out the top-3 was Kirk
Alexander.
The series next stop would be the Monadnock Speedway,
Winchester, NH.., May 5 with Windsor Locks, CT., racer Les
Hinckley putting the Chuck Montville Racing, Custom
Tinting Unlimited GTO modified in victory lane. “The Bond Auto
Parts 100” was a hotly contested battle in front a large
crowd that braved cold temperatures and gusty wind chills.
The event had been postponed twice by rain. It was the
second time Hinckley has won the first race at Monadnock.
He did so in 2005.
The series did not return to action until the traditional
Memorial Day weekend at Monadnock as two-time series
champion Kirk Alexander captured the “Artioli Auto Group
100”, in front of a large holiday weekend crowd. Alexander
became the third different winner in as many events.
In what was fast becoming an early season showdown between
Alexander and Hinckley, Hinckley bounced back to score his
second win of the season Sunday afternoon, June 3, at
Canaan Fair Speedway, Canaan, NH; capturing the “Canaan
100.” his seventh career win with the True Value Modified
Racing Series. The second generation driver captured the
same event in 2006. “I’ve always loved this place, we came
here year’s ago with the pro stock, won an open comp show,
love to come back,” Hinckley said, after being chased to
the finish by Alexander. The 100 lap race was delayed one
day by severe thunderstorms and torrential downpours.
Rain and monsoon like conditions forced postponement of
the June 9 Waterford CT., date. Waterford officials
announced the makeup date would be in September. The focus
shifted to Lee USA Speedway, Lee, NH.., as “Lightning” Lou
Mechalides, Tyngsboro, MA; returned to his old stomping
grounds, as the veteran driver captured his third career
win with the tour.
The tour closed out the month of June with a stop at the
famed Seekonk Speedway, Seekonk, MA., with one of its own
capturing a popular win. With a large crowd on hand,
Vinnie Annarummo, a six time track champion, a driver who
raced modifieds regularly in the 80’s, won his first ever
modified race in his 35 year career. “I have fulfilled
everything I wanted to do, and I couldn’t retire until I
won a modified race.” the veteran driver told cheering
fans in victory lane.
The month of July saw four events as the series headed
back to Monadnock with Alexander winning the annual
“Firecracker 100.” On July 13 a jaunt back to the
seacoast and the renamed “Mid –Summer Modified Shootout.”
at Lee, NH. took place. Hinckley notched his third win of
the season in a caution flag plagued race and a Mod-Mania
qualifying spot for the Thompson,CT., race in September.
Alexander would finish second.
The much anticipated first ever visit to the Oxford Plains
Speedway in Maine was the highlight of July. The series
drivers delivered favorably in the Maine-ly Action Sports
100. A huge crowd saw Hinckley start twenty-fourth. race
to the front, and eventually get passed by Alexander with
6 laps to go. The finish left the crowd buzzing with the
majority of fans on hand for the next days Oxford 250. The
Oxford fans were vocal they wanted to see the TVMRS back
They got their wish as track owner Bill Ryan secured the
series as a Saturday night event on his 2008 Oxford 250
weekend. The month of July closed out with a Monadnock
rainout.
August started off with the series heading back up Rte 95
to the historic Beech Ridge Motor Speedway, Scarboro, ME
.Once again the all- time winner Kirk Alexander added
another victory to his win list capturing the “Beech Ridge
100.” The win by Alexander lengthened his lead in the
point standings.
A week later with the tracks largest crowd of the season
looking on, twenty-year old racer Jonathan McKennedy
fought off Hinckley to win his first series event at the
Canaan Fair Speedway, Canaan,NH. The former ISMA super
modified rookie of the year earned a guaranteed starting
spot for the Mod Mania 400 weekend at the Thompson, CT;
Speedway.
A return to Seekonk Aug 18 found Hinckley passing local
favorite Vinnie Annarummo,
on a lap 84 restart, to win the
“Airgas 100,” his fourth race victory of the season before
a large crowd. It was Hinckley’s
ninth career TVMRS win.
Mother nature
had the final say Aug 25 as Monadnock Speedway played host
to the series for the final time in 2007 and with the 100
lap race nearing the half way mark, the skies over western
New Hampshire opened for the second time forcing a
stoppage on lap 42 and the race later declared official by
series operatives. Leader Rob Goodenough won his first
ever TVMRS race at his home track.
The Waterford makeup date was next up on Labor Day weekend
and a strong car count responded. Another milestone was
reached by Alexander. He scored his 5th win and
became the only driver to win at every track competed on
by the series.
Mother Nature declared the Thompson Mod Mania weekend a
washout after 2 laps of the 75 lap race for the TVMRS.
Andy Seuss was in the top spot when flagman John Spence
dropped the red flag over the speedway because of heavy
downpours. The speedway was forced to schedule the
conclusion on Sept 23. The event was only the second race
at Thompson for the series, the first being a caution
filled event with many broken race cars and bruised egos.
The TVMRS needed to redeem itself and it did so in a big
way. Competitive heat races and an exciting 73 lap race
conclusion left the crowd buzzing when
Louie Mechalides earned his
second victory of the season in Modified Mania II. Mechalides
and Tommy Cravenho waged a torrid battle for the lead over
the closing laps with Mechalides finishing just .15
seconds ahead of Cravenho. It was his 4th career series
win.
With the season finale at Lee fast approaching on the
calendar, all eyes were on Hinckley and Alexander as they
were battling it out for the championship. Hinckley his
first, Alexander his third. For the second year, it
appeared the title would go down to the wire. Defending
champion Dwight Jarvis and Jimmy Kuhn settled their battle
for the top spot at the NH oval. Would that be the case in
2007?
There was one piece of business to take care of. The drive
to the championship needed to go through Seekonk Speedway
and the DAV Festival of Racing weekend. Alexander and
Hinckley have both met the Venditti family in previous
victory lane ceremonies. Would they have that opportunity
again? Only fourteen- points separated the two going into
the weekend.
Vinnie Annarummo passed Kirk Alexander with just three
laps remaining to win the D. Anthony Venditti Memorial
Festival of Racing True Value Modified Series 100 lap
event at Seekonk Speedway. Alexander’s second place finish
clinched the 2007 series point championship. Hinckley, who
entered the event 14 points behind Alexander, suffered
suspension failure and finished 25th. Alexander’s 56 point
margin with one race remaining mathematically eliminated
Hinckley.
The season wound down in October at the annual Oktoberfest
weekend with another exciting finish as two Lee locals
finished 1-2 to wrap up the campaign. Winner Andy Seuss
and runner-up Mike Douglas electrified the crowd as they
both ran a strong race. Seuss took the lead with 3 laps
remaining when Kirk Alexander suffered a cut tire.
Douglas was persistent throughout and registered his best
finish to date.
Key additions to the 2007 staff included Pete Frappier,
Bob MacIlveen.and Mike Chapman as well as popular public
relations/media coordinator Mark Mockovak. Well known
race official Ben Dodge served in a consultant role.
It was also announced that the series will be visiting the
Thunder Road International Speedbowl, Barre VT., and the
Wiscasset Raceway, Wiscasset, ME. in 2008. |
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