East Coast Travels and Race Shop Dedication Gain Jonathan McKennedy Record Season
New Britain, Connecticut – Competing from the Carolinas to Maine and against much of the east’s asphalt Modified stars, Jonathan McKennedy drove to a record 11 wins in 2016.
Driving his family’s #29 Modified, sponsored by EXIT Realty and Christopher’s Towing, McKennedy grabbed 9 wins in Valenti Modified Race Series action; allowing him to cruise to a dominant point’s title; his 4th in eight seasons.
McKennedy also won 2 races in PASS Southern Modified competition with one each coming at Ace Speedway and the historic Hickory Motor Speedway.
Though the season was great for the East Chelmsford, Mass racer, he’s come close to equaling its success before. In 2009 he put together a season that should have captured plenty of attention. Entering his very first touring Series in a Modified, Mckennedy combined race wins with top-ten finishes to capture, at the time, the True Value Modified Series Championship. In 2010, showing it was no lucky thing; he grabbed the title again.
In 2012, Mckennedy jumped behind the wheel of NASCAR Hall of Fame car owner Art Barry’s Modified. Now called Valenti Modified Race Series, the name change made no difference; the duo handily won the Championship.
Mckennedy has now won 4 VMRS Championships and, at present, sits 2nd on the all-time win list with 24 victories. (Kirk Alexander has 31). Mckennedy also won the 2014 Championship in Tri-Track Touring Series competition where drivers from NASCAR, VMRS and ROC (Race of Champions) regularly compete. Mckennedy stood proudly as Champion over fifty-three other drivers, more than 18 being current or former Champions.
“Lots of work”, said Mckennedy, “spending nearly every night in the shop”. But it’s been very special because of my guys and girls stepping-up too. Everyone was all-in and helping any way they could.
“We began talking about options in early January,” revealed Mckennedy. I wanted, and still would like to drive for a NASCAR Tour team or a program down South. We had earlier sent out letters, my resume and stats to teams and owners. Some responded with phone calls, and I made some calls on my own. But nothing came together.
“To be honest, it all began to mess with my head and heart. So early January I talked with everyone and we made our choices; to race where we could, the money shows first, and then see what happens.”
Mckennedy’s team raced in 25 events at sixteen tracks. At season’s end, they had captured 11 wins and twenty-two top 4 finishes. Mckennedy is satisfied.
“We ran the same RaceWorks Chassis in every event,” said Mckennedy. “Eddie Flemke worked with me and provided great support – perfect feedback to each issue or idea.
Obviously it went well and we realize eleven wins is a nice accomplishment,” Mckennedy mussed, “but as racers (my team) we really wanted the twelfth; this last one at Concord Motorsports Park. In my opinion, the North-South Shoot-Out is our era’s equivalent of Trenton or Pocono’s Race of Champions. Concord is a unique layout and the competition is wicked.
“Teams from everywhere show-up with great drivers; similar to what I’ve heard about at Trenton or Pocono back in the day. It’s also prestigious because it is the John Blewett III Memorial, and more recently, everyone’s friend Charlie Kepley. I hope no one loses sight of that man because he started that whole deal. Like so many others, we really want to win it.”
The season also showed Mckennedy can still wheel a 900 HP ISMA Super Modified when he jumped in Jim Bodnor’s #96 for Star Speedway’s Classic. Mckennedy roared to Pole Position and looked to be a contender for the win until an engine explosion stopped him.
For 2017, McKennedy has begun what so many others have also started, looking for added sponsors and partners to join his team.
“I’m looking to advance my career as a driver in NASCAR or any other Series. We have good supporters of our current program, and could certainly bring them along to another operation,” concluded Mckennedy.
Sources: Rick Raducha/Driver Connection
Jon Mckennedy Racing is supported by:
EXIT Realty
Christopher’s Towing
Lakeside Sewerage
LH Wheeler Trucking
Sage Bank, Doug Perry
Defilippo Insurance
Mike Gorman Law Office
JTK Small Engine Repair
Ducharme Trucking Inc.
Arthur Therrien
Driver Connection
For information on sponsorship and promotions with EXIT Racing and Jonathan McKennedy contact:
Driver Connection
Rick Raducha
Cell: 860-796-7223
Phone: 727-914-0689
rraducha@sbcglobal.net