McKennedy Does It Again Winning Lee Modified Race
Lee, NH — For the second time in two weeks, Chelmsford, MA., driver Jon McKennedy started deep in the field and came on to win the True Value Modified Racing Series “Oktoberfest 100” Sunday afternoon, Oct 5, at Lee USA Speedway, Lee, NH. McKennedy, who started 23rd in a 25 car field, passed race leader Jimmy Kuhn on a lap 96 re-start to go on and score the win.
The victory was his second this season and his third career win with the New England based racing series. McKennedy pulled off the same feat at All-Star Speedway, Epping, NH., Sept 20, starting 24th in a 26 car line-up.
Connecticut hot shoes Dale Evonsion and Ed Dachenhausen brought the field to green with Dachenhausen jumping into the lead. Already a winner at Lee this season, Dachenhausen set a fast pace until defending champion Kirk Alexander took over the top spot on lap 19 and quickly appeared to be the car to beat. Alexander driving the famed “Superbeast,” the car that has carried him to a series leading 31 wins, would lead the field until lap 60.
Les Hinckley, running second since lap 32, took over the lead on lap 61, and like Alexander, looked to be the class of the field. Kuhn wrestled the top spot away on lap 88 and quickly started to pull away from Hinckley. A spinning John Burnham, making his first series start, brought out the caution flag on lap 96. On the re-start, five cars spun in the first turn coming to a stop against the safety barrier knocking Andy Seuss from the race. The ensuing re-start would go back to yellow when Shelly Perry spun creating another attempt to re-start the race. When the green flag dropped, McKennedy powered by Kuhn to take the lead and the win.
22 of the 25 cars that started the race finished the 100 lap feature. 16 drivers were on the lead lap. A total of nine caution periods slowed the race that took one hour, two minutes to complete.
Next up for the TVMRS is the annual D.A.V. Festival of Racing at Seekonk Speedway, Seekonk, MA. Oct. 11, 12. Former winners of the event are Hinckley, Seuss, Dave Berghman, and Vinnie Annarummo.
TVMRS Notes: Kenny Barry made his first start with the series driving the Marco Turcotte owned # 40 car. Lou Mechalides is slated to drive the car at Seekonk with Barry expected to be back in it for Twin State Speedway Oct 26.
Lee USA Speedway pro-stock/late model champion J.R. Baril made his first start driving the Warren Mordenti owned/prepared # 51.Baril finished third in his heat race but mechanical problems knocked him off the pace The Haverhill, MA., hopes to run more TVMRS shows in 2009.
Kenny White finished 12th and Joe Doucette 14th as they continue to chase the Koszela Speed Rookie of the Year honors.
Andy Seuss arrived from North Carolina in time to start the race. Seuss was a winner Saturday night at Caraway, N.C. He also became an uncle earlier in the week.
Jimmy Kuhn drove a solid race and had a fast race car late in the event. He pitted before the race started, pitted under yellow, and came back to the event with an impressive showing.
Series officials have announced the 5th annual banquet to honor this year’s competitors will be held at Francis Farm, Rehoboth, MA. Saturday November 15. More info to follow. Tickets are available now by contacting the series office.
Race Statistics: Lee USA Speedway “Oktoberfest 100”
Race # 14
25 entrants
Race Time: 1:02:20:932
Margin of Victory: 0.320
Caution Flags: 22, 26, 40, 54, 70, 74, 96, 96, 96
Lap Leaders: Dachenhausen 1-19, Alexander 20-60, Hinckley 61-87, Kuhn 88-96, McKennedy 97-100
Official Finish: McKennedy, Kuhn, Hinckley, Dachenhausen, Holdridge, Jarvis, Evonsion, Alexander, Pasteryak, Barry, Cyr, White, Spiers, Doucette, Iarnnarelli, Bateman, Dolan, Burnham, Wenzel, Perry, Goodenough, Seuss, Douglas, Royea, Baril
Sources: John Spence, Sr./TVMRS PR