From the True Value Modified Racing Series:

True Value Modified Racing Series

For Immediate Release

September 17, 2006

Contact: John H. Spence Sr.

603-801-7640

“Lightnin’Strikes at Seekonk, Mechalides Bolts to Seekonk Win”

As the saying goes, where’s there’s thunder, there is lightening, and that was the case Saturday night Sept 16, as the “Rolling Thunder’ of the True Value Modified Racing Series rumbled into the Seekonk, Mass., Speedway for the makeup date of the “AirGas 100,” postponed by rain in August. When the checkered flag fell on the field, 13 year veteran “Lightnin” Lou Mechalides notched his first win of the season to become the 10th different winner in 13 point shows in 2006. 

The Tygnsboro, MA., driver piloting the MacLellan Metal Finishing, Mid City Paving, Turcotte Motorsports, # 40, started third in the 22 car lineup, chased pole sitter Jimmy Dolan, Bethel Ct., for the first ten laps, bolted into the lead on lap 11 and never looked back.  The win was Mechalides second TVMRS victory.

Dolan chased Mechalides until Richard Savary, Canton, MA. moved into second on lap 18.  Dolan took it back following a lap 34 caution flag, the first of eight slowdown periods, all for minor spins or mishaps. He and Savary raced wheel to wheel with Dolan winning out. Savary would later move back to second following a lap 47 caution flag when,Vinnie Annarummo,Swansea,MA., and Tony Ricci, Westbrook ME., spun. Ricci was running sixth after starting the event in the 22nd position. At that point, Ricci was clearly the fastest car on the track, quickly moving to the front. He returned to the rear of the field but was no longer a factor. The two time winner this season would be involved in another minor skirmish later in the race but would capture a top ten finish.

With the field back under green, and Mechalides leading at lap 50 capturing  the Black Mountain Painting half way award, Les Hinckley, Windsor Locks, Ct., was making his way to the front as well as two Seekonk veteran racers, Dick Houlihan, Bridgewater,MA., and Vinnie Annarummo, Swansea, MA.

Houlihan cracked the top five on lap 51 while Hinckley moved by Dolan into third on the 53rd go around.  A spinning Evonsion on lap 61 brought out the yellow flag and it was again displayed on the restart when rookie Jeramee Lillie went around. 

Lap 64 saw Hinckley moved the CMR Racing # 06 into second passing Savary creating a great race for the second spot. Savary, in the Superior Oil

 # 21 moved back to second for the final time on lap 94 when he was able to move inside the 06 racer with a third turn inside pass of Hinckley to secure the spot. David Roys spun on lap 71 bringing out the caution. The yellow would again be displayed on laps 90 and 92.

On lap 79, Annarummo worked his way by point leader Dwight Jarvis

and ran strong with Houlihan for several laps with the driver of the Viveiros Insurance # 46 able to hold off “Vinny Who” in the Francis Farm Clambake # 12. for the fourth spot.

At the finish,

Race Summary:

Seekonk Speedway Sept 16, 2006

Airgas 100

Black Mountain Painting 1/2 Way Bonus: Louie Mechalides

Koszela Speed Awards: 5th – Vinnie Annarummo, 15th – Gary Casella 

Sherwood Wheels 4th Place Award: Dick Houlihan 

Sunoco Hard Charger Award: Tony Ricci

Race Time: 43:08

8 Caution Periods: Laps 34, 47(2) 61(2) 71,90 92

Lead Changes: 2

Lap 1 -10 Dolan   Lap 11-100: Mechalides

Next Event: Lee USA Speedway Rte 125 Lee NH

Sunday Sept 24 12 noon practice 1st Race 2:00 PM