“Alexander Becomes First Repeat Winner at Lee”

Defending champion Kirk Alexander, driving the Gary’s Power Equipment, Alexander Sheet Metal “Super Beast” # 43 modified, passed race leader Richard Savary on lap 11 and went on to win the 100 lap True Value Modified Racing Series event Tuesday night July 18 at Lee USA Speedway, Lee, NH. The race was a rescheduled event from a rained out date in May. It was run as part of a special program with the ACT Late Model Series.

The 35 year old W.Swanzey, NH., driver drove a flawless race once in front and fought off the constant late race challenges of Jimmy Kuhn.Jr., six caution periods. a red flag on lap 16, the result of a 9 car pileup, to notch his second win of 2006. Alexander also becomes the first repeat driver to win this season.

In victory lane Alexander said “ We were hooked up until around lap 50, I knew the car  would be good right off and that’s why I tried to get to the lead fast and run my own pace but we were lucky to hold on, Jimmy Kuhn had a fast car through the center, I seemed to be able to pull him off a little bit, we held him off, we needed this one bad because we have been struggling since the opener, (win at Monadnock) we have had some decent runs and we’re sitting second in points but that doesn’t speak for the efforts as these guys have been working their butts off, we’ve changed the car a bit, it’s close.

Jimmy Kuhn Jr., drove a smooth race and finished in a solid second to the defending champion. Kuhn said, “We’re happy, this was an awesome run for us, we keep trying to get better every time we come back here, the car was a little bit better this time but still not quite enough.”  He added, “Kirk was loosening up a little but I was getting loose too, there wasn’t much on the outside so the only shot I had was on the bottom and he’s pretty sharp keeping it protected but we’re happy, we’ll take a second, it’s good for us.”

Kuhn tried a low line move to the inside of Alexander coming off the fourth turn to the checkers but fell short. “I tried that with very little grip, it wasn’t enough, I wish there was another 10 laps in the race,” he added

Two weeks ago a late race pass by Tony Ricci electrified the crowd when he passed race leader Les Hinckley with six laps to go. Tuesday night it was Hinckley who started 15th in the field, charged up the crowd when with 5 laps remaining he drove up alongside Kuhn to challenge for second and what some fans thought was going to be a move for the win. “I got a little sniff there, Jimmy come up a little bit, that’s to be expected, it was greasy up top and I got loose a tick, for about a half a lap I thought we had a shot at the win, I thought if I could get by Jimmy, I could get by Kirk but laps were winding down.” The last two outings have been tough for the second generation driver as the same mechanical issues plagued the Chuck Montville Racing entry.  “We were leading here (All-Star 100) and at Canaan and we had power steering rack failures in both races so it is gratifying to finish third.”  Hinckley added, “ we have never really had a handle on this place, the last two times we’ve come here we hit on something, the cars going real well, we look forward to coming up here to see Red, it’s a beautiful facility, we just haven’t had a whole lot of luck here but I think things are turning around.

GMH Transportation Rookie of the Year contender Jonathan McKennedy continues to impress as he enjoyed his second strong outing at Lee with a fourth place finish while 33 year veteran Dwight Jarvis, the series point leader, finished in fifth.

Sixth through tenth were Richard Savary, Jim Boniface, Jack Bateman, Ed Dachenhausen, and Jimmy Dolan.

The lone qualifying heat race was won by Chris Wenzel while Ed Dachenhausen nabbed the consolation event.

The Lee race marked the halfway point of the 2006 season. 18 points races are on the schedule.  The next point’s race will be July 29 at the Monadnock Speedway, Winchester, NH. On July 26, TVMRS drivers and officials will take part in the Modified Madness event presented by Viveiros Insurance paying $10,000 to the winner at the Seekonk Speedway, Seekonk, MA.

Race Summary:

July 18, 2006

Lee USA Speedway, Lee,NH.

Distance: 100 laps   3/8 mile oval

Race Time:  1hr 6 minutes 31 seconds

Race Leaders: Lap 1 – 10 -Savary      Lap 11-100- Alexander

Black Mountain Painting ½ way: Alexander

Koszela Speed:  5th Jarvis   15th Seuss

Sherwood Wheels: Dwight Jarvis

Next points race: July 29 Monadnock Speedway, Winchester, NH.

Non points race: July 26  Seekonk Speedway, Seekonk MA