Touring Series News
Oktoberfest Winners Enter Modified Racing Series Finale
PHOTO: Ken Barry (#2) is the defending Modified Racing Series Oktoberfest 100 winner. (Leif Tillotson photo)
(From series press release)
LEE, N.H. -- In keeping with tradition since 2005, the Modified Racing Series sponsored by BobValentiAutoMall.com will close out its 2010 season this weekend as part of the 25th annual “Oktoberfest” at Lee USA Speedway.
All five former winners of the MRS race program are expected entries for the two-day event.
Defending race winner Kenny Barry of Preston, Conn., is expected to enter the Lee finale. Barry was the class of the field last year in winning his first MRS race. The veteran driver will pilot a car maintained by his father, Art Barry, the New England Hall of Fame car builder.
Jon McKennedy of East Chelmsford, Mass., who has a 61-point advantage over Ascutney, Vt.'s Dwight Jarvis in advance of the last race, is also entered. McKennedy's No. 73 team also enjoys a 27-point lead over Gary Casella's No. 25 for the owner's championship. The popular McKennedy, a four-time winner this season, won the Oktoberfest race in 2008.
Andy Seuss of Hampstead, N.H., a five-time winner with the MRS and a front-runner with the NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour, is entered. He captured the 2007 finale at Lee.
Les Hinckley of Windsor Locks, Conn., the 2006 winner at Lee, is expected as well as Bethel, Conn., veteran Jimmy Dolan, winner of the 2005 race.
Rowan Pennink of Huntingdon Valley, Pa., will head to Lee for the two-day event. Pennink will drive the Casella car vying for the owner’s championship trophy.
Kirk Alexander of Swanzey, N.H., a 35-time MRS winner and three-time series champion, has indicated his intent to compete this weekend. Alexander won the Monadnock Speedway track championship in 2010.
Koszela Speed Rookie of the Year point leader Todd Annarummo of Swansea, Mass., currently seventh in the series standings, is an expected entry as is rookie Joey Jarvis of Ascutney, Vt. The Plymouth State college student is currently ranked ninth in the standings.
Practice will get underway for the MRS at 12:00 noon on Saturday, October 23, with qualifying races slated for a 2:00pm start. Feature races begin at 12:00 noon on Sunday, October 24, with the Modified Racing Series' Oktoberfest 100 scheduled fourth in an 11-race feature lineup.
Sunday's race will be the 118th event sanctioned by the Modified Racing Series since its debut season in 2004.
