VMRS: Les Hinckley Tops Field at Lee USA
Friday June 29th the Lee USA Speedway hosted the Valenti Modified Racing Series for the Port City 100, presented by Laticrete.The 100 laps may have gotten off to a cool calm collected start, but heated up with an exciting run to the finish. The field was brought to green by a pair of two-time MRS Champions, Jon McKennedy of E. Chelmsford MA in the SPAFCO #2, and Chris Pasteryak of Lisbon, CT in the family owned #5CT.
McKennedy shot out to an early lead, but on lap 5, Pasteryak, Rowan Pennink of Huntingdon Valley, PA in the Rosco Racing #25 and Les Hinckley from Windsor Locks, CT #06 passed the leader. Pasteryak's lead would only last until lap 18 when Pennink and Hinckley worked their way to the top two spots.The #25 and the #06 ran bumper to bumper pulling away from the field until the first caution on lap 58.
McKennedy charged to the front again, taking over the lead on lap 83, bringing the rookie Tommy Barrett #9 right behind him. The next caution came on lap 89 when Hinckley spun, dropping him to the rear of the field. On the 90 restart, McKennedy and Barrett came together in turns three and four in front of the pack of oncoming cars. Seven cars were involved in this chain reaction, eliminating Holdridge #0, Jarvis #28, and the Goodenough #1.
[Photo Gallery] by Crystal Snape
This gave the lead back to Pennink. On lap 93, the caution flew again for race leader Pennink and second place #55 Joe Ducette spinning in turn one. Hinckley would inherit the lead and hold it, bringing the Twin Brook Auto Restoration #06 to Victory Lane. Todd Owens in the Jack Bateman #17 placed second, and Lou Mechalides in the Stuarts Automotive & Towing #85 was third. Chris Pasteryak and Max Zachem from Preston, CT in the Lu-Macs #79 rounded out the top five. Qualifying heats were won by Todd Owens, Chris Pasteryak and Rowan Pennink.
Sources: James Snape