By Lou Modestino
The Valenti Modified Racing Series returns to New Hampshire Friday night, June 27, when the series invades Lee USA Speedway, a mainstay on the series schedule since 2004.
The “Port City 100” will be the 22nd appearance by the open wheel Modifieds at the Granite State oval, featuring a strong a battle for the series points title and six different winners in six races to date.
Drivers from throughout the Northeast are expected to head to Lee including former winners at the Rte 125 oval.
Reigning champion Rowan Pennink, of Huntingdon Valley, PA, two-time Champion Chris Pasteryak, of Lisbon, CT., and crowd favorite Steve Masse of Bellingham, MA. are expected entries. All have visited the Lee winners circle.
Current point leader Todd Szegedy of Ridgefield, CT, fresh from his first win of the season at Stafford, CT, last Friday, will enter the race.
A former NASCAR champion, Szegedy who excels on large race tracks, but has a VMRS win on the bullring Monadnock Speedway, feels he needs to do better on short tracks.
“ I want to start mastering and get better at the short tracks. A little bit of a weak area. I got a little bit of work to do there but we are close. Seekonk is one of my worst tracks and we ran very well there last time so I’m starting to get a hang of these short tracks. Just a matter of time before I get wins on them,” said Szegedy. Lee is a 3/8th mile facility
Holtsville, NY driver Justin Bonsignore will make the trip to Lee. Richard Savary of Canton, MA, Anthony Nocella, of Woburn, MA. and Max Zachem of Preston, CT will enter the annual race. Grantham’s Mike Willis, Nashua’s Norm Wrenn, Richmond’s Matt Mead and Sunapee’s Dana Smith will represent New Hampshire.