“Alexander Back On Track At Monadnock”

Looking every bit as impressive as he did a year ago when he won a record 12 feature wins on the True Value Modified Racing Series tour, two time champion Kirk Alexander, Swanzey, NH, drove to victory Saturday night in front of a huge crowd at the Monadnock Speedway, Winchester, NH, in the season opening 100 lap event for the third year tour. First night starting lineups were drawn to establish starting positions in qualifying heat races. Alexander finished second in his qualifier putting him outside second row for the start of the race. When flagman John Spence Jr. turned the 24 car field loose for the first race of the year, pole sitter Sean Bodreau lead the first two laps only to develop a clutch problem and a quick exit for the Claremont, NH, driver. Danbury, CT, racer Ed Dachenhausen inherited the lead with fellow Connecticut driver and last years winner, Les Hinckley, Windsor Locks, in hot pursuit for the top spot. Dachenhausen set a torrid pace until he was reeled in and passed by Alexander on lap 45. The driver of the car dubbed “Super Beast” claimed the halfway contingency at lap 50 from sponsor Black Mountain Painting and never looked back holding the front position to the checkered flag to notch his first win of the season. “The car was hooked up like it usually is, the guys busted their butt today, the car was totally awesome, the throttle was hanging up a little bit on the restart there even when I would get full throttle it would catch for a second. I pushed up into Andy’s line and luckily I cleared him. Before that I couldn’t go full tilt all the time it got to where I was worried about it. Andy was coming and I was peddling her as fast as she’d go, he was there, he’s gonna be tough this year.” Alexander said in victory lane.

Andy Seuss, Hampstead, NH, who started sixth on the grid, was smooth and ran strong to finish a solid second, “That’s what’s great about this series” he said in victory lane, “I was sandwiched between two of the great modified drivers on this series. The car was on tonight and I can’t thank my crew enough, we were up late again last night to get ready for tonight, the setup was there at the end”.

The race was slowed by four caution periods, the first on lap 61 when Jack Bateman spun from contact with another car. Bateman had a good run going as he and fellow veteran Dwight Jarvis, Ascutney, VT, were hooked up in a great battle as they hunted down the leaders. Jarvis was sympathetic toward Bateman in victory lane after his solid third place finish. “The car was going real good tonight, we had one little mishap, the lapped cars checked up and I bumped Jack a little bit, nothing intentional and I hope he understands that.” the 33 year veteran said. Jarvis thanked his sponsors, the fans, and Monadnock Speedway, “I love this place” he said.

Dachenhausen checkered in fourth spot while Monadnock veteran, Rob Goodenough, Swanzey, NH, with a borrowed engine came on strong in the later stages of the race to finish in fifth.

Heat winners:
Race 1: Bodreau
Race 2: Hinckley
Race 3: Dachenhausen
Consolation: Les Mardanes

Race Summary:
100 laps 4 cautions
33 cars 24 starters
Race Time 44:36
3 lead changes
Lap 1-2 -Bodreau
Lap 3-45- Dachenhausen
Lap 45 to 100- Alexander

Contingency Awards
Black Mountain Painting ½ way leader: Kirk Alexander
Koszela Speed 5th and 15th place finisher: Rob Goodenough, Jimmy Dolan
Sherwood Wheels 4th place finisher: Ed Dachenhausen
Sunoco Hard Charger Award: Dale Evonsion (12 position gain)