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TVMRS Notebook 4th Edition:
By John Spence Sr.
The management of Seekonk Speedway was applauded by many
Saturday night for making the decision to bump up the MRS
in the feature lineup. More tracks should follow their
lead. They had a large crowd on hand that were (let’s be
honest) there for the modifieds and the management
recognized that. Track and tour officials were glued to
doppler radar and although it did not rain at Seekonk
until late, the decision was the right one. We heard the
rain was as close as Warwick/Providence. We tip our True
Value cap to the “Konk”
Over the last five years, the TVMRS has delivered some
seat squirming races that stand out. Each one with drama,
excitement, and certainly some that have left fans with
something to talk about.
The night Kirk Alexander passed Jim Boniface on the last
lap at Monadnock comes to mind. So does the Beech Ridge
race that saw David Pinkham drive a car he’d never been in
romp to victory at his old stomping grounds. The night
Dale Evonsion scored his first win there. The Canaan race
Jack Bateman won in his back yard.
Other notables include the Lee Oktoberfest that saw Jimmy
Dolan wheel into victory lane with tears streaming down
his face and cell phone in hand to call home to let all of
Bethel, CT., know, he’d finally won one. The great runs by
Hinckley and Ricci at Lee, The crowd buzzing race at
Oxford, The Mod Mania race at Thompson with Mechalides and
Cravenho, Dwight’s and Kuhn’s run for the 06 title, the
great debut at Thunder Road, and now this Seekonk show.
From an announcer’s standpoint, you don’t get races like
this often. I’m sure Hollywood types could do one better
but last weekends 100 lapper was a gem. The battles
between Annarummo and Pasteryak from the front row to
their victory lane interviews were spectacular. And it did
not stop there. The competition back through and the packs
of side by side racing throughout the entire field is what
promoters dream of. To watch those front runners go
through traffic was worth the $4.09 a gallon to get there.
I’d put another tank full in to watch it over again. The
top 15 that stayed on the lead lap earned their spots and
their pay. Vinnie said he was good for another 100, well,
so were we in the tower.
As one old timer said as I journeyed back to the pit area,
“That’s the way they used to be every week back in the
day.” That fan speaks the truth. I saw those shows too.
Many of them. When I’m sitting back in the old rocking
chair one day (not that far away) I’ll smile when I think
of the Seekonk race we hurried to get in. I know Anthony
did.
Good to see Jimmy Kuhn back running with the series. Jimmy
finished tenth. Dick Houlihan ran well in the # 46 car,
his first time this season. I’m told that both drivers are
planning to run the Seekonk shows.
Andy Seuss passed on Seekonk as the family boat business
kept them from competing.
Also from the good to see department, the Les Hinkley/Chuck
Montville team running up front and the same could be said
about the Dachenhausen/Linstedt team.
Vinnie Annarummo won the Black Mountain Painting half-way
award at Seekonk while the Sunoco Race Fuels Hard Charger
Award went to Kirk Alexander. Both Alexander and Dale
Evonsion moved 17 spots but Alexander finished in front of
Evonsion.
Has Jon McKennedy got a thing for the dramatics or what?
He was involved in a skirmish early on and was extremely
fast at the end. A solid third and that boy passed some
cars. Dad Dennis says they’ll pass on Waterford to race
with the ISMA supers.
Assistant flagman Josh Vanada will pass on Waterford as
he’ll tie the knot that day. Best of luck to Josh and his
new bride.
Speaking of ISMA supers, we’re told that they will share
the billing when the TVMRS returns to Waterford in August,
Please be aware that a new policy is in effect for
Waterford ’s pit/paddock area .No shorts and no open toe
shoes. It’s an insurance thing. Absolutely no admittance
if that policy is not adhered too.
SK standouts Jeff Pearl and Doug Coby are guaranteed
starters for the Town Fair 100 Saturday. Ted Christopher’s
website indicates T.C. will compete as well.
Only 10 points separate Joe Doucette and Kenny White Jr.
in the Koszela Speed Rookie-of the Year points chase
heading into Waterford . And only 22 points separate point
leader David Pinkham and 2nd place driver Chris Pasteryak.
Pinkham won the May race there and Pasteryak knows the
famed oval well. Should be interesting. Mike Holdridge has
a 36 point advantage over Rob Goodenough in the DART
program.
Wiscasset Ford will stage a race car show June 27 the day
before the TVMRS first ever appearance at Wiscasset
Raceway. Here’s hoping we can get a good car count for the
trip. Doug White and his staff are really working hard on
this race.
Speaking of car shows, the series will once again
participate in Airgas Race Fever 08, Thursday, Jan 26, on
Main St in downtown Concord , NH . The site has been moved
back to the city much to the delight of everyone involved.
Starts at 5 PM. If you are interested in participating and
displaying your race car at either show, call John at the
office
Be safe!!
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