Modified Star McKennedy, Supermodified Champion Witkum, Aim for Dunkin’ Donuts Three Quarter Midget Wins
PROVIDENCE, R.I. — A pair of Massachusetts drivers, Jon McKennedy and Eddie Witkum Jr., each of whom excels in a different form of high speed racing. are among the contenders for victory at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center in Providence, RI, on Saturday & Sunday, March 10 & 11 during the Len Sammons Productions Indoor Races.
Jon McKennedy of Chelmsford races in the central New England based Modified Racing Series and won the drivers championships in 2009 and 2010.
Eddie Witkum, Jr. of Westford races Supermodifieds weekly at Lee, N.H. Speedway and is a two time track champion there, winning in 2007 and 2008.
The pair of accomplished regional stars will race together in the weekend race meet that includes two days of qualifying races and feature events for the powerful TQ (Three Quarter) Midgets and the bullet-like Champ Karts, culminating on Saturday with the running of “The Coffee Cup Classic”, a 40-lap TQ Midget feature, paying $2,000 to its winner.
On Saturday, March 10, racing begins at 7:00 p.m., one hour after the arena gates swing open.
On Sunday, the feature for TQ Midgets is a first time event, to be run over a 100 lap distance with a planned mid-race break to allow teams to make adjustments and, if possible, to re-enter the race.
Racing begins at 2:00 p.m. preceded by ‘Fan Fest’, an interactive ‘meet & greet’ autograph signing session and photo opportunity for ticket holders. Qualifying races precede the features this day as well.
McKennedy, 25, will drive a car out of the highly touted Aston, Pa.-based Lou Cicconi racing stable. It is the same driven two years ago in Providence by Indy Car driver Davey Hamilton.
In addition to his Modified experience, McKennedy has also raced ISMA Supermodifieds and at age 18 was named Rookie of The Year by the ISMA group.
Witkum. 38, will steer the potent and venerable creation owned by Tommy Williams and Donnie Adams; Adams has driven this car to to numerous outdoor wins and championshps in the past.
Witkum is of a racing family that includes his father Ed, uncles Bobby and Joe, brothers Richie and Randy, and young nephew Jeffrey. Multiple championships, feature wins, and decades of success can best describe one of New England's most decorated racing families.
The pair of Bay State past champions will compete on Saturday and Sunday, March 10 & 11. Tickets to the see these stars and nearly 100 others in the Champ Karts and the headlining TQ Midgets in the Len Sammons Productions of Indoor Racing in Providence are sale now by contacting the Dunkin’ Donuts Center Box Office at 404.331.6700 or Ticketmaster 800.745.3000.
Each of the 52 TQ Midget and 42 Champ Kart available slots are gone, assuring a full, quality laden field for both races.
For a complete race schedule, log on to aarn.com.
Sources: Steve Barrick/Ernie Saxton Communications