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VALENTI
MODIFIED RACING SERIES
SWINGS BACK TO LEE FRIDAY |
 The
last time the Valenti Modified Racing Series
competed at New Hampshire’s Lee USA Speedway, it was
for a rare Saturday afternoon event on Memorial Day
weekend. First time that happened. When the
checkered flag fell, Mike Douglas Jr. notched his
first VMRS win.
The Douglas victory started a run of ‘firsts’ for
the New Hampshire based series. It was also the
first VMRS victory for Douglas’ father, long-time
owner/driver Mike Douglas of Auburn, New Hampshire.
Since then, veteran racer Russ Hersey of Swanzey,
NH, captured his first series win at Claremont and
car owner Warren Mordenti, owner of the Hersey
mount, did the same earlier this month.
2015 Series Champion, Woody Pitkat, of Sturbridge,
MA, won his first VMRS race of the year in the
series first ever race contested at New Hampshire
Motor Speedway, Loudon, NH.
Another opportunity presents itself Friday night,
July 21, for a first time winner to surface when the
VMRS kicks off the second-half of their 2017 season
at ‘New Hampshire’s Center of Speed.” Twin 50-lap
features are on tap.
Eight out of the top-ten drivers in the series point
standings, are hoping to add their name to a long
list of first time winners, at the 3/8th mile oval,
owned by New England Hall of Fame Promotor/Owner Red
MacDonald and wife Judy.
Point leader Anthony Nocella, of Woburn, Mass,
winner of three races to date, takes a 73-point lead
into Lee but it’s the competition behind him in the
first half that has drawn attention.
11-points separate Mike Willis Jr, of Grantham, NH,
and second generation driver, Jeff Gallup, of
Feeding Hills, MA, (2nd) place, with the same amount
(11) separating last years Rookie of the Year Colbey
Fournier, of Berkley, MA, and 15-year old |Sammy
Rameau, of Westminster, MA, for fourth.
A four-point gap separates Richmond, NH’s Matt Mead
from Donnie Lashua, Canaan, NH, and Rob Richardi,
Taunton, MA.
Lee (USA) has long been labeled a tough track to win
on but it’s interesting to note the drivers that
have found their way into the MRS records books with
their first series win there.
The ‘late’ Jim Boniface won his first career series
race at Lee in July 2004. A year later Jimmy Dolan
scored his lone victory on Oktoberfest weekend.
Tony Ricci, who returned to competition at Claremont
after several year’s absence, and will be in the
field Friday night driving the Czarnecki Brothers #
20 car, first visited the Lee/MRS winner’s circle in
2006.
Louie Mechalides scored his first MRS win in 2007 at
Lee, Eddie Dachenhausen did in 2008, and Jimmy Kuhn
Jr. in 2009.
A field of 20-cars as of Tuesday, July 18, is
expected to compete.
Friday’s program starts at 7:00 PM. Lee USA Speedway
is located on Route 125 Lee, NH.
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Source:
John Spence Sr. / Valenti Modified Racing Series
Posted:
July 18, 2017 |
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