McKennedy Clinches Title While Barrett Wins VMRS Finale
Lee, NH – Jon McKennedy, of E. Chelmsford, MA; delivered on his goal Sunday afternoon, and young gun Tommy Barrett, of Millis, Mass; scored his third win of 2012 as the Valenti Modified Racing Series closed out it’s schedule at Lee USA Speedway, Lee, NH.
McKennedy captured his third series championship giving Hall of Fame car-owner Art Barry of Preston, CT; his first VMRS title. McKennedy ties all-time race winner Kirk Alexander for series championships.
Barrett, the 17-year old Millis MA; high school student, passed McKennedy on lap 88 of the 100-lap race, and went on to win the ‘Oktoberfest 100’. Barrett became the eighth driver in eight seasons to win the annual event.
Barrett’s win was what his team hoped for to wrap-up a rewarding season. “Exactly what we needed,” Barrett said in victory lane. “We had a plan all weekend we stuck to the plan and it worked out.”
[Photo Gallery] by Crystal Snape
Barrett’s strategy is to lie back at the start of the race until the halfway mark “We stay back to save tires. I came in to make a few adjustments and then try to get to the front.”
Defending series champion, Chris Pasteryak, of Lisbon, CT; led the first 45 laps from his pole starting position with Louie Mechalides, of Tyngsboro, MA; setting the pace from lap 46 through lap 77.
McKennedy led the next 10 laps before Barrett took over the lead.
Les Hinckley III, of Windsor Locks, CT; finished runner-up followed by Rowan, Pennink, of Huntingdon Valley, PA; from his 18th starting position. McKennedy was fourth, and Andy Seuss, of Hampstead, NH; fifth.
Sixth though tenth were; Norm Wrenn, Dwight Jarvis, Joe Doucette, Mechalides, and Max Zachem.
The top-ten point men for 2012 were McKennedy, Pennink, Wrenn, Pasteryak, Mechalides, Barrett, Hinckley, Zachem, Mark Bakaj, and Mike Holdridge.
The race was completed in 48 minutes. Seven caution flags were displayed through the event. 31 teams entered the program, 24 cars started and 16 finished on the lead lap. Dwight Jarvis recorded the fastest lap with a 15.124 time and a speed of 89.262 mph.
Race Summary
Lee USA Speedway Lee, NH
Distance: 100-laps
Time of Race: 48:18:456
Margin of Victory: 3.661
Best Lap Time: 15.124 (Dwight Jarvis)
Best Speed: 89.262
Lead Changes: 3
Lap Leaders: Pasteryak (1-45) Mechalides (46-77) McKennedy (78-87) Barrett (88-100)
Cautions: 24,45,65,65,73,79,82 (7)
Order of Finish: Barrett, Hinckley, Pennink, McKennedy, Seuss, Wrenn, D.Jarvis, Doucette, Mechalides, Zachem. Holdridge, Owen, Schneider, Masse, Pasteryak, Bakaj, Goodenough, J.Jarvis, Mead, Perry, Cliché’, Boniface, Charette, Smith.
Sources: John Spence, Sr./VMRS PR