Jonathan McKennedy grabbed the lead from Brandon Ward on lap 94 of the inaugural Southern Modified Racing Series presented by PASS event and led the race until it was called for rain to take the win Saturday night at Hickory Motor Speedway in Newton, N.C.
McKennedy’s win came in an action packed race that saw the lead change hands 11 times among six different drivers.
“It’s great to be here at Hickory, it’s got a lot of history to it and it’s pretty awesome to win down here,” said McKennedy in victory lane. “I knew we had a real good chance to win at about halfway when the other cars started coming back to me. We had a great pit stop and I was able to get the lead, and the rain obviously helped us a little bit too.”
Chris Pastreyak blistered the legendary speedway in qualifying with lap of 85.651 miles per hour, but would start sixth after the top six qualifiers redraw. Former North-South Shootout winners Matt Hirschman and Burt Myers would move up to the front row and lead the field to green for the inaugural SMRS event.
Myers quickly jumped into the lead, but just as quickly Cale Gale took it from him on lap two. Several cars were making their way up through the field, including Bobby Measmer, Jr. and Brandon Ward, who wasted little time moving towards the front.
The lead pack of ten cars changed the lead back-and-forth, lap-after-lap, with several drivers taking turns at the front, such as Gale, Myers, Pastreyak, Ward, and Jeremy Mayfield. Eventually, Ward would take the lead from Mayfield on lap 40 and take command with Gale and Myers following close behind.
After leading more than 30 laps, Ward would lose the lead when Burt Myers moved to the outside to take the position on lap 76. Gale followed Myers around Ward for second and then would bypass Myers for the lead again on lap 83.
The first caution of the night did not wave until lap 92 when Kevin Orlando slowed in turn three, causing the lapped cars of Gary Putnam and Josh Nichols to check up and spin, collecting the third place running Ward in the process. While the leaders took the opportunity to pit for fresh rubber, Ward stayed out, opting for track position and hoping for rain.
But, the rains did not come and once back under green, McKennedy moved by Ward for the lead on lap 94. McKennedy led until the rains came on lap 108 and was awarded the win over John Smith, Burt Myers, Measmer, and Hirschman.
Kyle Bonsignore, Pastreyak, Jason Myers, Patrick Emerling and Gale rounded out the top ten.
The Southern Modified Racing Series presented by PASS returns to action on Friday, April 22 at Ace Motor Speedway in Altamahaw, NC.
For more information, visit ProAllStarsSeries.com.
Southern Modified Racing Series
Hickory Motor Speedway – Newton, NC
Race Results (Unofficial) – March 26, 2016
1. 29 – Jonathan McKennedy
2. 25 – John Smith
3. 1m – Burt Myers
4. 14 – Bobby Measamer, Jr.
5. 59H – Matt Hirshman
6. 22 – Kyle Bonsignore
7. 15 – Chris Pastreyak
8. 4 – Jason Myers
9. 07 – Patrick Emerling
10. 95 – Cale Gale
11. 23 – Brian Loftin
12. 40 – Edward LeCerc
13. 1x – Mike Leaty
14. 59d – Renee Dupuis
15. 5 – Charlie Pastreyak
16. 19 – Brandon Ward
17. 34 – Josh Nichols
18. 13 – Chase Hunt
19. 77 – Gary Putnam
20. 53 – Ryan Russo
21. 00 – Kevin Orlando
22. 12 – Mike Norman
23. J2 – Jeremy Mayfield
DNS: 31 – Zach Brewer
