03/09/2007

    The name Holdridge has been synonymous with Connecticut modified racing since the late 50’s when Madison , CT standout Dale Holdridge launched a successful career that saw him visit victory lane through the years at race tracks from New England to Florida . When his son chose to drive race cars, the old adage applied “like father like son.” That’s because son Mike has traveled the same path, with victory lane visits from North to South and the 42 year old driver hopes to continue that journey when he joins with the True Value Modified Racing Series for the 2007 season.
    “It was time for a change of pace,” Holdridge said this week while preparing for practice day at Monadnock and as he explained his team’s decision to travel throughout New England this summer with the TVMRS tour.
    Holdridge has raced SK modifieds since 1997 at Waterford , Thompson, and Stafford Springs with a few seasons of full bodied race cars on his resume prior to campaigning the potent open wheelers. He was victorious last winter at New Smyrna, Florida. He felt it was time to move on in 2007.
    Holdridge says he checked out a couple of TVMRS races last season and liked what he saw. “Granted where I come from I like time trials but I also like the heat races because at least you know you’ll be racing.” He added, “We like what the True Value Modified Racing Series has to offer, and we like the tire rule and competitors voting on things.” Holdridge stated the closeness of several tracks was a plus, “Most of these tracks are 2 or 3 hours from Madison , and that’s a good thing for us.”
    The married father of two children is impressed with the competitiveness of the 4th year tour. “The competition last year was impressive and I know it’s going to be tough, qualifying will be tough, but we are prepared for that and we’ll do the best we can.” With the exception of Thompson and Waterford , most of the tracks on the tour he and his team have never seen.
    Holdridge works for the State of Connecticut Bridge Department and races sponsor free. It’s truly a father/son deal. “This is my father’s golf,” he said chuckling. “Somehow we make it work.”
    They’ll try to make it work when they haul their Chassis Dynamics Pontiac Sun Fire # 0 to practice day at Monadnock Speedway April 7, their first ever visit there. A guy by the name of Kuhn was in that position a couple of years ago. He too had never raced at the western NH speedway. Maybe a phone call is in order to get acquainted with “The Dog.”

News and Notes ………….
    Kirk Alexander disclosed this week he’s looking at about a 10 race schedule in 2007 leaving open the possibility of additional events. “We are going to run all the Monadnock and Seekonk shows as well as Thompson,” said the two time champion. He added, “We’ll go from there but those are the races we are planning on running.” Alexander, entering his 20th year of racing, said “There are other things too do in the summer that I enjoy.” It is a well known fact that Alexander is an avid fisherman and enjoys participating in tournaments.
    Westbrook Maine ’s Tony Ricci and Huntington Station, Long Island , NY ’s Johnny Bush will represent the TVMRS at the upcoming Racin’Preview at the Portland , ME , Expo Center Feb 23, 24. Both drivers will display their racers.

Source  John Spence Sr./True Value Modified Racing Series PR
Posted:  March 9, 2007