McKennedy Scores First Modified Win at Canaan

With the largest crowd of the season looking on, 20 year old racer Jonathan McKennedy, Chelmsford, MA; fought off veteran Les Hinckley, Windsor Locks, CT; to win his first True Value Modified Racing Series event Saturday night at the Canaan Fair Speedway, Canaan, NH. The former ISMA supermodified rookie of the year piloted his family owned Power Mist/RH2WAY # 73 to the victory. McKennedy, who started fourth in the 23 car field, earned a guaranteed starting spot in next month’s Mod Mania 400 weekend at the Thompson, CT; Speedway. McKennedy raced at or near the front of the field over the 100 lap grind with his racer, owned and prepared by his father Dennis, getting stronger as the race went on turning the fastest lap of any competitor entered on the 94th circuit.

Former Canaan winner Jack Bateman, Canaan, and Todd Patnode, W.Swanzey, NH; brought the field to green with Patnode jumping into first place. McKennedy and Andy Seuss, two former 350 super modified drivers, ran second and third in the opening laps. The first of seven caution flags flew for Norwich, CT; driver Tom Abele for a front stretch spin that found him straddling an infield creek. Abele was able to return to the race.

At lap 10, Patnode, Seuss, Chris Pasteryak, Lisbon, CT; McKennedy, and Hinckley made up the top five. Defending champion, Dwight Jarvis, Ascutney, VT moved past Hinckley on lap 14. Jarvis would run in the top five for several laps.

Seuss snuck by Patnode on lap 27 with Pasteryak following into second spot relegating Patnode to third. On lap 34, McKennedy blasted by Patnode into third with Jarvis slipping into fourth. Patnode would now sit fifth.

Lap 41 saw a black flag shown to Louie Mechalides, Tygnsboro, MA; for a water leak which was dealt with by his team allowing the veteran driver to return.

Jim Boniface, Deltona, FL; spun in turn two on lap 46 and when the race restarted, McKennedy moved by Pasteryak and Rob Goodenough, W, Swanzey, NH; passed Jarvis to crack the top five.

At the lap 50 mark, Seuss led the field of 21 cars still in the race picking up the Black Mountain Painting contingency. Pasteryak, Hinckley, Goodnough followed. Ten laps later, Cornish, NH; driver Bucky Demers, and pole sitter Bateman spun drawing the third caution flag followed by another caution a lap later for E, Harland, CT; driver Dale Evonsion and Boniface. McKennedy moved into the lead on lap 61 and it was also the end of the night for both Seuss and Pasteryak as they went over a second turn embankment forcing both drivers to the pit area and another slowdown. At this point, Hinckley moved to second, Beech Ridge winner Kirk Alexander, W, Swanzey, raced to third with Danbury, CT driver Ed Dachenhausen now fifth from his 16th starting position.

The final 30 laps would find Hinckley in hot pursuit of McKennedy battling him for the lead on restarts on lap 76 and 83 following minor spins. Goodenough moved into third with Dachenhausen following to fourth while Alexander, the tours point leader, slipped back to fifth. And that’s the way they would finish the 2nd of two races at the Canaan oval this season.

Sixth through tenth were Jarvis, Sean Bodreau, Claremont, NH; Mike Douglas, Auburn, NH; Vinnie Annarummo, Swansea, MA; and Evonsion.

12 lap qualifying races were captured by Bateman, Patnode and Seuss with Tony Ricci, Westbrook, ME; winning the 15 lap last chance race.

The TVMRS travels to the Seekonk Speedway, Seekonk, MA; Saturday night Aug 18 for the “Air Gas 100”. Kirk Alexander was the 2006 winner. The race will be the sixth and final “guaranteed starter “event for the Sept 8, 9 Sunoco “Mod Mania” weekend at Thompson, CT. This weeks race will also serve as a tune-up for the rescheduled “Viveiros 100” $10, 000 to win race Wednesday August 29 at the historic Rte 6 oval.

Race Summary:
Canaan Fair 100 Canaan NH Speedway
August 11, 2007

Race Time: 57:33:163
Caution Flags (7)
Lead Changes: Lap 1- 26 Patnode Lap 27-60 Seuss Lap 61-100 McKennedy

Black Mountain Painting 1/2 Way Bonus: Seuss
Koszela Speed 7th Place Award: Sean Bodreau
Sherwood Wheels 5th Place: Kirk Alexander
Sunoco Hard Charger Award: Kirk Alexander – 23rd to 5th

Tour Notes with John Spence Sr.

• Tour founder Jack Bateman travels to Iowa this week where he’ll compete in two nights of dirt track racing with Midwest standout Corey Dripps. Dripps raced with the TVMRS at Oxford last month failing to qualify. Bateman, started his racing career on dirt over 40 years ago.
• Kudo’s to Sean Bodreau for another solid top ten finish (7th) at Canaan. Mike Douglas turned in a strong run as well. (8th)
• Kenny White Jr debuted with the TVMRS at Canaan. The word is his team will pick and choose events the rest of the season.
• Happy 30th Birthday wishes to Lisa Patnode, wife and spotter for driver Todd Patnode.
• The Monadnock race August 25 will be a guaranteed starter event for the 5th annual North-South Shootout In N.C. Nov 2 & 3
• 25 teams towed to Canaan.
• Nils Linstedt returned with the 10x with Bucky Demers at the wheel.
• Jim Boniface returned after a few weeks absence.
• Peter Jarvis was sidelined in a practice session mishap forcing the 9NH from the event.
• Another strong run for Eddie Dachenhausen. Eddie scratched out his second consecutive top five finish.

Sources: John Spence, Sr./TVMRS PR

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