Former Lee Regulars Return with Valenti Modified Series Friday
Canaan, NH. – Two former weekly small-block supermodified drivers return to their roots Friday night, June 29, when the Valenti Modified Racing Series visits Lee (NH) USA Speedway for the first of two races there in 2012. Jon McKennedy, of E.Chelmsford, MA., and Louie Mechalides, of Tyngsboro, MA., leads the list of expected entries for the ‘Port City 100’ presented by Laticrete.
McKennedy, with two wins this season, and two VMRS wins at Lee, will wheel the Art Barry owned # 2 car out of Preston, CT. McKennedy is also the current point leader after four races. He is a two-time series champion.
Mechalides, a former Lee track champion, will pilot the Stuart Automotive # 85 car based in Lowell, MA. Mechalides won earlier this month at Seekonk, MA.,has a previous win at Lee, and has six series victories to date.
Other former winners at Lee expected at the New Hampshire facility include defending series champion Chris Pasteryak, of Lisbon, CT., Les Hinckley, of Windsor Locks, CT., and Rowan Pennink, of Huntingdon Valley, PA. Nashua, NH., veteran Norman Wrenn, Rob Goodenough, of Swanzey, NH.,
and Todd Owen, of Somers, CT., are expected.
Hard charging drivers, part of a youth movement with the New England based series expected include, Tommy Barrett, of Millis Mass, Geoff Gernhard,of Lebanon, CT., Max Zachem, of Preston, CT., and Matt Mead, of Richmond, NH and Mark Bakaj, of Lebanon, CT.
Race sponsor Laticrete is a worldwide manufacturer and marketer of installation systems for ceramic tile and stone used in residential, commercial and industrial applications over 50 years. Through their generosity, additional money is being posted to the winners purse and to the top five finishers of the VMRS race.
Long time area race fan Lucky Young has posted $100 to the best finishing rookie driver of the 100 lap green flag modified race.
Lee USA Speedway is located on Rte 125, Lee, NH. Fridays race program starts at 7:00 PM.
Sources: John Spence, Sr./VMRS PR