MCKENNEDY DOES IT AGAIN
WINNING LEE MODIFIED RACE
For the second time in two weeks, Chelmsford , MA., driver Jon
McKennedy started deep in the field and came on to win the True
Value Modified Racing Series “Oktoberfest 100” Sunday afternoon, Oct
5, at Lee USA Speedway, Lee , NH . McKennedy, who started 23rd in a
25 car field, passed race leader Jimmy Kuhn on a lap 96 re-start to
go on and score the win.
The victory was his second this season and his third career win
with the New England based racing series. McKennedy pulled off the
same feat at All-Star Speedway, Epping , NH., Sept 20, starting 24th
in a 26 car line-up.
Connecticut hot shoes Dale Evonsion and Ed Dachenhausen brought the
field to green with Dachenhausen jumping into the lead. Already a
winner at Lee this season, Dachenhausen set a fast pace until
defending champion Kirk Alexander took over the top spot on lap 19
and quickly appeared to be the car to beat. Alexander driving the
famed “Superbeast,” the car that has carried him to a series leading
31 wins, would lead the field until lap 60.
Les Hinckley, running second since lap 32, took over the lead on
lap 61, and like Alexander, looked to be the class of the field.
Kuhn wrestled the top spot away on lap 88 and quickly started to
pull away from Hinckley . A spinning John Burnham, making his first
series start, brought out the caution flag on lap 96. On the
re-start, five cars spun in the first turn coming to a stop against
the safety barrier knocking Andy Seuss from the race. The ensuing
re-start would go back to yellow when Shelly Perry spun creating
another attempt to re-start the race. When the green flag dropped,
McKennedy powered by Kuhn to take the lead and the win.
22 of the 25 cars that started the race finished the 100 lap
feature. 16 drivers were on the lead lap. A total of nine caution
periods slowed the race that took one hour, two minutes to complete.
Next up for the TVMRS is the annual D.A.V. Festival of Racing at
Seekonk Speedway, Seekonk , MA . Oct 11, 12. Former winners of the
event are Hinckley , Seuss, Dave Berghman, and Vinnie Annarummo.
TVMRS Notes: Kenny Barry made his first start with the
series driving the Marco Turcotte owned # 40 car. Lou Mechalides is
slated to drive the car at Seekonk with Barry expected to be back in
it for Twin State Speedway Oct 26
Lee USA Speedway pro-stock/late model champion J.R. Baril made his
first start driving the Warren Mordenti owned/prepared # 51. Baril
finished third in his heat race but mechanical problems knocked him
off the pace. The Haverhill, MA. driver hopes to run more TVMRS shows in
2009.
Kenny White finished 12th and Joe Doucette 14th as they continue to
chase the Koszela Speed Rookie of the Year honors.
Andy Seuss arrived from North Carolina in time to start the race.
Seuss was a winner Saturday night at Caraway, N.C. He also became an
uncle earlier in the week.
Jimmy Kuhn drove a solid race and had a fast race car late in the
event. He pitted before the race started, pitted under yellow, and
came back to the event with an impressive showing.
Series officials have announced the 5th annual banquet to honor
this year’s competitors will be held at Francis Farm, Rehoboth , MA
. Saturday November 15. More info to follow. Tickets are available
now by contacting the series office.
Race Statistics: Lee USA Speedway “Oktoberfest 100”
Race # 14: 25 entrants
Race Time: 1:02:20:932
Margin of Victory: 0.320
Caution Flags: 22, 26, 40, 54, 70, 74, 96, 96, 96
Lap Leaders: Dachenhausen 1-19, Alexander 20-60, Hinckley
61-87, Kuhn 88-96 McKennedy 97-100
Official Finish: McKennedy, Kuhn, Hinckley , Dachenhausen,
Holdridge, Jarvis, Evonsion, Alexander, Pasteryak, Barry, Cyr,
White, Spiers, Doucette, Iarnnarelli, Bateman, Dolan, Burnham,
Wenzel, Perry, Goodenough, Seuss, Douglas, Royea, Baril
THE END