McKennedy Scores Beech Ridge Win, Increases Point Lead
Scarborough, ME — Chelmsford MA; modified racer Jon McKennedy outlasted a very competitive field Saturday night, Aug 8, capturing the 100 lap True Value Modified Racing Series event at Beech Ridge Motor Speedway, Scarborough, ME.
The race, in front of a big crowd, featured five different leaders.
The win was McKennedy’s fourth in his last six races with New England’s premier modified racing series. It was also McKennedy’s seventh TVMRS tally, widening his point lead to 48. McKennedy has 356 points now with 308 points shared by Rob Goodenough, Swanzey, NH; and Stephen Masse, Bellingham, MA.
A field of 26 competitors entered the event with Todd Annarummo, Swansea, MA; jumping into the lead from his outside pole starting position. The second generation driver held the top spot until passed on the 12th circuit by Andy Seuss, Hampstead, NH.
Seuss, who also competes with the Whelen Southern Modified Tour, held the lead until lap 27. Masse, who started sixth, emerged as the leader for the next 35 laps.
Sanford, ME; rookie Jacob Dore meanwhile impressed the locals with a strong run working his way as high as third from his tenth starting spot. Dore mixed it up with veteran racers David Pinkham, Buxton, ME, Les Hinckley, Windsor Locks, CT; Dwight Jarvis, Ascutney, VT; and defending champion, Chris Pasteryak, Lisbon, CT.
Dore’s race near the front ended when he made wheel to wheel contact with Masse drawing a caution flag that relegated both to the rear of the field. Dore went right back to work attempting a strong finish. The same for Masse.
Pinkham, winner of the 2005 race at “The Ridge,” excited the hometown crowd when he brought the field to green to start lap 63. The race became a four car battle for the top spot with Hinckley, Jarvis, McKennedy and Chris Pasteryak chasing the leader.
On lap 88, McKennedy took the lead passing Pinkham. McKennedy then opened up a comfortable margin over Pinkham and cruised to the victory. Jarvis was third followed by Carl Pasteryak, Lisbon, CT; and Jack Bateman, Canaan, NH; rounding out the top five.
Sixth through tenth were Hinckley, Rowan Pennink, Huntingdon Valley, PA; Dore and Masse, coming back from their earlier incident, to finishing eighth and ninth, with Chris Pasteryak, tenth.
Qualifying races were won by Carl Pasteryak, Masse, and Annarummo with Bethel, CT; veteran Jimmy Dolan nabbing the consolation race.
Next stop for the series will be this Saturday night, August 15, when the Waterford, CT; Speedbowl plays host to its second annual Wings N’ Wheels event. The TVMRS stars and cars will be joined by the ISMA supermodifieds, NEMA midgets, and the tracks weekly SK- modified division. Qualifying begins at 5 PM. For more information, log on to www.speedbowl.com
Race Notes:
Only four caution flags were displayed during the event for minor incidents. The fastest in race lap was turned by Jarvis at 15.070 at 79.549 mph. The race was completed in 55 minutes, 54 seconds. McKennedy’s margin of victory over Pinkham was 0.751 seconds.
19 cars finished on the lead lap. All 24 starters were in competition until lap 73 when newcomer, Mike Murphy, Groveland, MA; was forced to retire from the event.
Order of Finish: 1. McKennedy, 2. Pinkham 3. Jarvis, 4. Carl Pasteryak, 5. Bateman, 6. Hinckley 7. Pennink 8. Dore 9. Masse 10. Chris Pasteryak. 11 Goodenough, 12. Holdridge, 13. Douglas 14. Doucette 15. Seuss 16. Dachenhausen 17.Iannarelli 18. Bodreau, 19. Dolan 20. Fredrickson, 21. Baldwin 22. Ricci 23. Annarummo 24. Murphy
Sources: TVMRS PR
Race Summary: Race #9
Beech Ridge Motor Speedway, Scarborough, ME
August 8, 2009
Distance: 100 laps
Time of Race: 55:44.460
Margin of Victory: 0.751
Race Lap Leaders: Annarummo (1-12) Seuss (13-26) Masse (27-62) Pinkham (63-87)
McKennedy (88-100)
Cautions Flags: (4)
24 cars started (19 cars finished on lead lap)
Sunoco Hard Charger: McKennedy
Sherwood Wheels Award: Bateman (5th)
Racing Junk, Com McKennedy, Pinkham, Jarvis
Monk Mechanics Award: Pennink (7th)
Next Event: Waterford, CT Aug 15 @ 5:00 PM