Jonathan McKennedy Holds Off John Smith to Win the Ace Of Diamonds Presented by North South Shootout SMRS Event at Ace Motor Speedway
Sophia, NC (April 25, 2016) – The Southern Modified Racing Series Presented By PASS made their second stop of a ten race schedule at Ace Motor Speedway located on the outskirts of Burlington, N.C. The event started with Walnut Cove’s Burt Myers capturing the Pole Award. After a mandatory re-draw of the top six qualifiers Myers would remain in the top starting position alongside of Concord’s Josh Nichols.
Myers would keep the top position for the first 85 laps and lead the way to the pit stops as the caution was displayed. As the pit stops un-folded Jonathan McKennedy of Chelmsford, MA came out first after lagging back in the rear for the first portion of the feature. He would continue to keep the top position fending off multiple attempts by Winston-Salem’s John Smith, capturing his second consecutive win of the season. B. Myers, Jason Myers and Brandon Ward rounded out the top five finishers.
“Car ran well all day it had pretty good speed in it. I elected to save a little at start of the race knowing it was a long race and could only change one tire. I came in the pits 7th and came out with the lead. For the last 40 laps I had a lot of pressure from behind. Most the laps there was a car only a few feet away from my rear bumper. Great to win at another track for the first time being there. Car count was down but majority of the cars that attended had top notch equipment with good drivers from the south. Like to thank my pit crew, my spotter, Pettit Engines, Race Work Exit Realty, JTK Engine Repair,” stated McKennedy.
Smith comes home second and leads the SMRS points. “It was a heck of a race, I was wishing we could have been one spot better. It seemed like every time I would get up there to get the lead the caution would come out. My car got too loose at the end and we ended up second again. Seems like we are the bridesmaid but we will get ’em at the next one,” stated Smith.
Myers debut a brand new car for the venue and brought it home third.
“We had an awesome car. I’ve won two races this year by switching lefts (tires) and now I’ve lost two by switching lefts. I asked God for peace in my heart and mind to accept what he gives me. Sometimes that’s not easy but that’s what I have to do. It’s tough, man I had a great car. It’s a brand new car and we sat on the pole, it’s a great car right out of the box and we worked hard and put lots of preparation into it. We’ll go home, rest and be better for the next one,” stated Myers.
Mack Little III captured the win in the 50 Lap Mid-Atlantic Limited Late Model Series Trevor Ward, Coy Beard, Kenny Bost and Doug Patton round out the top five finishers.
In the USAC Midgets twin events Andrew Layser and Chris Lamb each took home a win.
AJ Sanders won the Mini Stock Feature and Danny Brewer captured the Southern Outlaw Street Stock Feature.
The Southern Modified Racing Series Presented by PASS will join the Pro All Star Series Super Late Models at Concord Speedway on Friday May 27th. The green flag will wave at 7pm for the Old Glory 125 PASS Supers and the Charles Kepley Memorial 125 SMRS. Also competing will be the Mid-Atlantic Limited Late Models and the MASS Street Stocks.
For more information contact Renee Hackett at 336-302-5803,
renee@southernmodifiedracingseries.com or go to www.southernmodifiedracingseries.com.
Don’t forget to like the Southern Modified Racing Series and Pro All Star Series on Facebook to keep up with all the latest news as it happens.
Sources: PASS