Hinckley Checkers Wiscasset Debut Race
Wiscasset, ME — Windsor Locks, CT., veteran modified driver Les Hinckley chased race leader Jonathan McKennedy for 94 laps Saturday night before making an outside pass to go and win the “Wiscasset Ford 100” for modified race cars at the Wiscasset Raceway, Wiscasset, ME.
For Hinckley, it was his second win of the 2008 season and his 11th career win with the True Value Modified Racing Series. Hinckley is second on the all-time TVMRS win list. The second generation driver becomes a guaranteed starter for next months Sunoco Race Fuels “Mod Mania” race at Thompson, CT Speedway.
The race, originally scheduled in June but postponed by rain, was run following a two hour rain delay because of downpours. Drivers and race crews then dealt with late night dampness and fog which created a different race surface than what drivers practiced on mid-afternoon.
McKennedy and Hinckley started one-two in an 18 car line-up and were quick to pull away from the field with Ed Dachenhausen, Tony Ricci, and Jimmy Dolan in pursuit. The race was caution free until lap 42 when Dolan came to a stop after a minor spin. It was later learned that a mechanical issue would force the Bethel, CT., veteran out of the event.
The race resumed following a caution flagged re-start, with McKennedy again enjoying a comfortable margin. McKennedy won the Black Mountain Painting half-way leader award but Hinckley continued to stay within striking distance. Completing the top ten at the half century mark were Peter Jarvis, Ricci, Chris Pasteryak, Mike Holdridge, Vinnie Annarummo, Dachenhausen, Rob Goodenough, and Dale Evonsion.
Late in the race Jarvis was closing on Hinckley and Hinckley appeared to be biding his time with McKennedy. On lap 94, as the cars exited the second turn, with Hinckley and McKennedy side by side, the 06 powered by the race leader while flagman John Spence Jr.displayed five laps to go when they came to the line. McKennedy was all over the new leader at one point trying to make a pass but was unable too and had to settle for second.
Race Summary:
Wiscasset Raceway, Wiscasset, Maine
August 9, 2008
Race Distance: 100 laps
Lap Leaders: 1-94 (McKennedy) 95-100 (Hinckley)
Cautions: (2) Lap 42, 42
Race Time: 36 minutes, 09 seconds
Black Mountain Painting Award: McKennedy
Sunoco Race Fuels Hard Charger: Holdridge
The officials order of finish: (1) Hinckley, (2) McKennedy, (3) Jarvis, (4) Pasteryak, (5) Ricci, (6) Holdridge, (7) Annarummo, (8) Goodenough, (9) Bateman, (10) Dachenhausen, (11) Evonsion, (12) Pinkham, (13) Doucette, (14) Masse, (15) Alexander,(16) Perry, (17) Dolan, 18 (77) White.
Next event: Waterford, CT Speedbowl August 16, 2008
Sources: John H. Spence Sr./TVMRS PR