vmrslogo1Canaan, NH. – Sitting at a desk Tuesday afternoon looking over notes saved in case he needed to refer to them one day, Kirk Alexander, the Valenti Modified Racing Series all-time winner at 31 victories, was trying to find the right set-up, the magic that worked for him so many times in the past, the magic he hopes he can create again when he climbs into the John Corliss owned, Trader John Guns sponsored, # 88 modified race car, on Saturday night, April 19, at Monadnock Speedway, Winchester, New Hampshire.

Alexander, of W. Swanzey, NH., will be filling the seat of long-time archrival Jim Boniface who is battling a courageous fight with cancer. It’s a situation Alexander knows all to well. He lost a brother to the disease in 2008.

“Jim and I were fierce rivals. He wanted to win. I wanted to win. We came from the same area. We raced the same tracks. It’s sad to see what he’s going through. It brings me back. I’d love to win for him Saturday night. Jim hopes to be at the track if at all possible.”

Alexander, who is an avid fisherman and enters tournaments all over New England, says he got a surprise phone call last week. “It wasn’t hard to make a decision,” said the three-time series champion. My fishing and racing. We’ll make it work.”

“That car is just like mine and it’s got a great motor, disclosed Alexander. “I told the owner I’d be happy to run it for them. I was toying with putting my own back together for the July show. This is perfect. We’ll run the Monadnock shows for sure and we’ll look at others.”

Alexander won the series first race in April 2004, and went on to win 15 more at the New Hampshire quarter-mile. His last series win was July 3, 2010.

Reigning Champion Rowan Pennink, of Huntingdon Valley, PA, a two-time winner at Monadnock is entered for Saturday’s race.

Former series champions Dwight Jarvis, of Ascutney, VT., entering his 41st season, and Chris Pasteryak, of Lisbon, CT, a two-time champion, are also set to compete.

Todd Szegedy, of Ridgefield, CT, Justin Bonsignore, Islip, NY, Max Zachem, Preston, CT., Anthony Nocella, Woburn, MA., and Dan Meservey Jr. of Brewster, MA., have entered.

The race, presented by Bond Auto Parts, is the annual “Spring Dash 100, a green flag event. The season opening program at Monadnock gets underway at 5:00 PM.