McKennedy To Be Honored For Second MRS Championship
Canaan, N.H. — East Chelmsford, Massachusetts’s driver Jon McKennedy will be crowned 2010 Modified Racing Series Champion, Saturday night, November 20, when the New England based touring division, sponsored by BobValentiAutoMall.Com, honors its competitors for their accomplishments. The 7th annual banquet will be held at the Clarion Hotel and Conference Center, W.Springfield, Massachusetts.
McKennedy captured both the driving championship and car owner’s title for the 2010 campaign. The 23 year-old driver joins three-time champion, Kirk Alexander, as the only other driver to win back-to-back championships.
“Winning a second championship is a neat deal,” said the eleven-time race winner. “This series (MRS) has stepped up the last couple of years. The competition is tough.”
Like 2009, McKennedy won four races enroute to the title. The only difference this season was the purchase of a new Race Works Chassis, a potent car he put in victory lane the first night out at Waterford, Connecticut.
“At the half-way point in the season, we were struggling. Little flaws kept beating us. The competition had really stepped up. It needed to happen. Reggie Ruggerio and Ed Flemke Jr. built a very responsive racecar. We ran the new car in five races and won three of them,’ said the 13 year veteran.
The top 15 drivers for the 2010 season will be recognized at the year end banquet. Runner-up and 2006 Champion, Dwight Jarvis, will be honored, as well as, Les Hinckley, Steven Masse, and Ken Barry, who finished in the top five. Sixth through fifteenth were, Rowan Pennink, Todd Annarummo, Max Zachem, Rob Goodenough, Jacob Dore, Joey Jarvis, Jack Bateman, Norm Wrenn, Eddy Spiers, and 2008 champion, Chris Pasteryak.
In addition to crowning the series champion, the 2010 Koszela Speed “Rookie of the Year” Award will be presented as will the DART Steel Engine Builder Award. SPAFCO Most Improved Driver Award, Tough Luck Driver Award, Crew Member of the Year Award, Sportsmanship Award, and Dedication to Racing Award. Series officials select the special recipients annually.
New England Hall of Fame modified great Bob Polverari, will present the sixth annual “7-11” award, to the competitor who represents modified racing in a professional manner both on and off the track. Jack Bateman, Dwight Jarvis, Ed Dachenhausen, Vinnie Annarummo, and Jimmy Dolan, are former recipients of the prestigious award.
Series president and founder Jack Bateman will announce a tentative 18-race schedule for the 2011 season. A major announcement will also be made pertaining to the new season, the eighth, for New England’s premier modified racing series.
Sources: Modified Racing Series PR