Canaan, NH: ( July 29, 2009) -- Every July 4th weekend brings a special event to the Monadnock Speedway, and the tradition continues this Saturday night when the True Value Modified Series returns for an event that is sure to thrill a capacity crowd, as it has done since the inception of the TVMRS.

The Firecracker 100 has been won by Kirk Alexander four of the past five seasons. The West Swanzey, New Hampshire driver is sure to be a favorite to win the event for a fifth time, and to redeem himself after crashing out of the TVMRS season opener at the quarter-mile while leading the race.

This race takes on added significance for Alexander, as it is the last time he will have the opportunity to win a TVMRS event at Monadnock this season, with the series only making two stops at his home track in 2008.

The toughest competition Alexander will face on Saturday could come from Jon McKennedy, of Chelmsford (MA). He has won the last two TVMRS races this season to move into the point lead after five events, and a consistent improvement at Monadnock from the 21-year-old driver is evident by his most recent top five finishes there.

As the previous race winner, McKennedy can start no higher than eighteenth, so he knows that it will not be an easy task to earn a first-ever victory at Monadnock.

McKennedy reasoned, The last two times weve run there we had to come from the back and we finished in the top five. I think my chances this weekend are really good, but weve got to stay out of trouble. It would mean a lot to run well in front of all those people. The place definitely packs them in for that race. I think it will be a good race. Well be starting in the back again, but its 100 laps, so we have plenty of time to do it. Im really looking forward to it.

Dwight Jarvis of Ascutney (VT), who finished second to Alexander in the 2008 Firecracker 100, has also finished second in each of the previous two 2009 TVMRS races at the Twin-State and Seekonk Speedways respectively. Jarvis has finished second more times than any other driver in series history, but he has high hopes of earning his first victory of the 2009 season at Monadnock.

Another contender to include is the winner of the first 2009 Monadnock event in April, Rob Goodenough of nearby Swanzey (NH). Chris Pasteryak, Ed Dachenhausen, Les Hinckley, Rowan Pennink, Sean Bodreau and Peter Jarvis will be among those looking for their first victory of 2009 with high hopes.

The 24-car starting field will be decided through three heat races and a B-Main, which are always eventful at the speedway, which hosted the first-ever TVMRS race back in 2004.

The race program will also include a full NASCAR Whelen All-American Series event, featuring the Outlaw Pros, Super Stocks, Mini-Stocks, Enduros and a large Fireworks Display as well.

Racing starts promptly at 6:00pm. For more information on this event, including the availability of discount tickets log onto www.monadnockspeedway.com.

Source: TVMRS P.R. / Kevin Rice