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RGeeProductions
06-17-2007, 08:37 AM
Lighting Lou Strikes At Lee With True Value Mod Win

“Lightning” Lou Mechalides, Tyngsboro, MA; returned to his old stomping grounds, Lee USA Speedway, Lee, NH; Friday night June 15, and when the checkered flag was displayed on lap 100, the veteran driver captured his third career win with the touring True Value Modified Racing Series. Mechalides is no stranger to feature wins at the Rte 125 oval. He is a former champion of the tracks super modified division driving for the same car owner, Marco Turcotte, Nashua, NH.

26 modified race cars towed to Lee for the “Rockingham Boat Spring Fling 100.” Three 12 lap heat races and a 15 lap last chance consolation race determined the 24 car starting field .

When series flagman John Spence Jr, set the field in motion with the drop of the green flag, Tony Ricci, Westbrook, ME; a 2006 winner at Lee, jumped into the lead and set a fast pace early on. Outside pole sitter Rob Goodenough,Swanzey, NH; drew the first of four caution flags in the opening lap when he slowed and came to a stop in the second turn. Then with Goodenough in the pit area and out of the event, the race was quick to go back to green. Chris Pasteryak, Lisbon, CT; was then in hot pursuit of the race leader with veterans Gary Casella, Saugus, MA; and Todd Patnode, Swanzey, NH; joining in. Dale Evonsion, E.Harland,CT; who started 10th on the field, was working his way to the front. Almost passing cars at will, the second generation driver moved to third spot on lap 6.

On lap 15, Ricci opened up a five car length lead on Pasteryak, with Evonsion, Casella, and Patnode in tow. On the next go around, 2nd year driver, Bryan Shumway,Belchertown, MA; spun and brought out the second caution period.

At the 20 lap mark, Ed Dachenhausen, Danbury, CT; wheeled his racer into fifth spot. Right behind him was Mechalides. who shared a sixth row start with the former Chemung, NY; champion. Mechalides started to stir the hometown crowd with precision moves in traffic and outside passes. It was clear that the Kingsley Automotive/Mid-City Paving/MacLellan Metals #40 was dialed in. Mechalides went by Pasteryak on lap 26, passed Evonsion on lap 30, and would take the top spot on lap 36.

Previous winners this season, Kirk Alexander,Swanzey, and Les Hinckley, Windsor, Locks, Two both started deep in the field had now cracked the top ten. Alexander was the point leader entering the race and Hinckley was fresh off a win two weeks ago at Canaan, NH.

Mechalides would set a torrid pace, leading the Black Mountain Painting half way award at lap 50. A third caution flag slowed the race on lap 57 for early race leader Ricci who spun. Longtime Lee racer and fan favorite,Vinnie Annarumo, Swansea, MA; moved into the top five on the 57th circuit.

Fans were starting to watch the Hinckley # 06 as the two time winner this season was starting to put on a late race show. By lap 70, Hinckley got past Annarummo, and cracked the top five. He dogged Alexander for several laps racing right behind the two time champ. Following a lap 88 caution for an Annarummo spin, the last ten laps got interesting. Hinckley was fifth with 10 laps to go; when the checkered flag was displayed the second generation driver was second. The charge to the front by Hinckley thrilled the crowd but it was the hometown driver,Mechalides, that put a charge into his old stomping grounds.

Jimmy Kuhn Jr, W.Bridgewater,MA; also made a late race run to the front to finish in the top five while Donny Lashua, Canaan,NH; garnered a solid sixth place finish driving the Jack Bateman entry.

Heat races were won by Ricci, Goodenough and Pasteryak with Mike Holdridge, Madison, CT winning the consi.

The True Value Modified Racing Series travels to Seekonk, Speedway, Seekonk, MA; Saturday June 23. Race time is 6:00PM

Race Summary:
Rockingham Boat Spring Fling 100
Cautions:, lap 1, lap 16, lap 57, lap 88
Leaders: #4 Ricci = 1-35, #40 Mechalides = 36-100
Non Qualifiers: Wayne Arute, Tommy Cravenho
Race Time: 41:05:857

Contingency Award Winners:
Black Mountain Painting 1/2 Way Bonus: Louie Mechalides
Koszela Speed 7th Place Award:Ed Dachenhausen
Sherwood Wheels 5th Place Award: Todd Patnode
Sunoco Hard Charger Award: Les Hinckley, 24-2

Lee USA Speedway - June 15, 2007

Finish Car # Driver Starting Position
1 40 Louie Mechalides 11
2 06 Les Hinckley 24
3 43 Kirk Alexander 22
4 72 Jimmy Kuhn 13
5 01 Todd Patnode 5
6 17 Donny Lashua 18
7 48 Ed Dachenhausen 12
8 15 Chris Pasteryak 3
9 70 Andy Seuss 14
10 69 Jimmy Dolan 6
11 12 Vinnie Annarummo 16
12 23 Mike Douglas, Jr. 9
13 35 Dale Evonsion 10
14 38 Bill Goodrow, Jr. 7
15 9 Peter Jarvis 23
16 4 Tony Ricci 1
17 28 Dwight Jarvis 17
18 41 Karl Frederickson 8
19 0 Michael Holdridge 19
20 33 Ken Heagy 21
21 25 Gary Casella 4
22 5 Bryan Shumway 20
23 1 Sean Bodreau 15
24 6 Rob Goodenough 2

John H. Spence Sr/TVMS PR