Ted Christopher Puts the Brady Bunch in Stafford Winner’s Circle
Stafford Springs, CT. – Plainville, Connecticut’s Ted Christopher led the opening 15-laps, saw four other drivers take the point, and then diced with a red hot Jon McKennedy, of E Chelmsford, MA. in the late stages, to win the 80-lap Valenti Modified Racing Series event Friday night, June 24, at Stafford Motor Speedway, Stafford, CT.
Christopher wheeled the famed Brady Bunch # 00, the modified race car of Hall of Fame member Joe Brady who tragically lost his life last winter, the result of an automobile-pedestrian accident.
Christopher was competing with the (VMRS) for the first time this season. Friday’s race was his fourth career series win. His last series victory was August 9, 2014., at New London – Waterford Speedbowl.
Christopher and McKennedy battled to the end with McKennedy all over Christopher on the 76th circuit. McKennedy led lap-77, Christopher regained the lead on the next lap in traffic, to go on and score the win.
McKennedy finished second followed by Dave Etheridge, of Portland, CT., Keith Rocco, of Berlin, CT., and Chris Pasteryak, of Jewett City, Ct.
Mike Willis Jr, Rob Richardi, Dan Meservey Jr, Branden Dion, and Matt Mead, finished sixth through tenth.
Heat winners were: (1) Rocco (2) Pasteryak (3) Christopher
July Events –
Monadnock Speedway (July 2)
Claremont Speedway (July 8)
Lee USA Speedway (July 22)
Race No 6 – Stafford Motor Speedway
June 24, 2016
Distance: 80-laps
Entrants: 21 (19 starters)
Time of Race: 47: 53: 274
Lead Changes: 9 (5 -drivers)
Lap Leaders: Christopher (1-15) Etheridge (16-18) Christopher (19-20)
Rocco, (21) Pitkat (22-25) Etheridge (26-29) Pitkat (30-55) Christopher (56-76) McKennedy (77) Christopher (78-80)
Unofficial Order of Finish: (1) Christopher (2) McKennedy, (3) Etheridge (4) Rocco, (5) Pasteryak, (6) Willis, (7) Richardi, (8) Meservey, (9) Dion, (10) Mead, (11) Sherman, (12) Gernhard, (13) Seidell, (14) Medeiros, (15) Pitkat, (16) Pennink, (17) Nocella, (18) James, (19) Fournier.
Sources: John Spence, Sr./VMRS PR