Seekonk, MA– Mike Holdridge of Madison, CT., started 22nd in a 29 car field, took the lead on lap 65, and went on to win the Valenti Modified Racing Series, 100-lap, “DAV Fall Classic” race Sunday afternoon at Seekonk Speedway, Seekonk, MA.
The win was the second of the season for the second-generation driver. Holdridge also becomes the eighth different driver to win the eighth annual event.
Pole-sitter Russ Hersey, of Swanzey, NH., led the field to green and the first six-laps until passed by Preston, CT., veteran Kenny Barry. Barry quickly became the class of the field leading laps 7 through 64 holding off the challenges of Les Hinckley, Windsor Locks, CT., Rowan Pennink, Huntingdon Valley, PA., and
Holdridge.
When Holdridge took the top spot, Barry chased the winner to the finish, Jon McKennedy, of E.Chelmsford, MA., last years DAV race winner, finished third, Jimmy Kuhn, of W. Bridgewater, MA., fourth, and Dwight Jarvis, of Ascutney,VT., fifth.
Sixth through tenth were: Max Zachem, of Preston, CT., Hinckley, Chris Pasteryak, Lisbon, CT., Timmy Jordan, Plainfield, CT., and Joe Doucette, Framingham, MA.
Holdridge in post race interviews said he did not think he had a car capable of winning.
“Very surprising, didn’t expect this to happen, definitely not here,” Holdridge said.” I was going to be happy with a top ten finish. That big wreck on lap 18 (7-car pileup) had a lot to do with where I finished.
A lot of the fast cars got knocked to the back. It could have been a completely different outcome.”
“This is not my good motor. It is out for repair. This is my backup motor.” Holdridge added. “I went to my son’s football game this morning. I did not plan to practice the car. I figured to drive around, get some points, and try to stay in the top five. (Point standings)
Qualifying races were won by Timmy Jordan, Louie Mechalides, and Jimmy Dolan.
30 race teams entered the event with 29 cars taking the green flag.
Six caution flags slowed the race. It took 54 minutes 34 seconds to
complete.
Race Summary:
October 9,2011
Seekonk Speedway Seekonk, MA
Distance: 100 laps
Time of Race: 54:34.475
Best Lap Time: 12:225
Best Speed: 98.061
Margin of Victory: 1.079
Lead Changes: 2
Lap Leaders: Hersey (1-6) Barry (7-64) Holdridge (65-100)
Caution: Laps 12,18,30,42,56,95
Unofficial Order of Finish:
(1) Holdridge (2) Barry (3) McKennedy (4) Kuhn
(5) D.Jarvis (6) Zachem (7) Hinckley (8) Pasteryak
(9) Jordan (10) Doucette (11) Marquis (12) Patnode
(13) Pennink (14) Emerling (15) Mechalides (16) S.Perry
(17) Fredrickson (18) Wrenn (19) J.Jarvis (20) Dolan
(21) Schneider (22) Goodenough (23) Masse
(24) Bateman (25) Charette (26) Alexander (27) Hersey
(28) Annarummo (29) F. Perry