The Valenti Modified Racing Series kicks off it’s 12th season this Saturday night, May 2 with the running of the ‘Bond Auto Spring Dash 100’ at Monandock Speedway. It’s the first race of 2015 on the 16-race schedule for the New England based series.
All-time series winner, Kirk Alexander of West Swanzey, NH, with 31 wins, and Les Hinckley, of Windsor Locks, CT, second on the all-time win list with 17 checkered flags, return to the high banks of Monadnock where they spent many a Saturday night battling in full bodied Pro-Stocks before moving to the open-wheel Modifieds.
Kirk Alexander has declared he intends to run the series full schedule. Hinckley plans to compete in selected events. Drivers with Monadnock history and success also entering the season opener include: 42-year crowd favorite and former series champion, Dwight Jarvis of Ascutney, Vermont. Five of Jarvis seven Series wins have come at Monadnock.
Additionally, Todd Patnode, of Richmond, NH, a former Monadnock champion and series winner, will wheel a car prepared by long-time Monadnock racer Dan Stebbins. The 2014 VMRS Rookie of the Year Mike Willis of Grantham, NH is also expected.
Two-time series champion, Chris Pasteryak, of Jewett City, CT, debuting a brand new Troyer mount, will enter the VMRS lid-lifter. Also, 2013 Champion, Rowan Pennink of Huntingdon Valley, PA, Modified standout Woody Pitkat of Stafford Springs, CT, Richard Savary of Canton, MA, a five-time series winner, and Norm Wrenn, of Nashua, NH, are all expected. Wrenn announced off-season that he plans to retire from active competition at the seasons end.
Source: VMRS PR and personal notes.