CLAREMONT, N.H. – Jon McKennedy picked a perfect time to return to NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Victory Lane. For the first time since 2018, the Massachusetts racer parked in Victory Lane at Claremont Motorsports Park on Friday night in the Tour return to Claremont for the first time in 15 years.
McKennedy’s victory allowed him to close the gap even further to the top of the championship standings as he looks for his first career Whelen Modified Tour title in 2022. It was the Chelmsford, Massachusetts, drivers second career series win.
In the process of finishing fourth, Matt Hirschman also earned car owner Roy Hall the inaugural $5,000 prize in the Whelen Granite State Short Track Cup, besting Ron Silk’s team for the award.
The Clash at Claremont 150 was part of a full night at Claremont, which also included four house divisions as part of the NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Racing Series.
“This was way overdue,” McKennedy said. “I had a really good deal with Tommy Baldwin Racing and we had so many seconds and poles with Tommy. We were always in contention, but just couldn’t get that W the last few years. We’re back [in Victory Lane] and it’s awesome.”
McKennedy passed Mayhew Tools polesitter Jake Johnson for the lead early and was in prime position to seal the deal over the final laps, driving away to his second career Whelen Modified Tour win. Behind McKennedy, points leader Ron Silk held onto his lead with a second-place finish, while Johnson settled for third spot driving the Boehler Racing No. 3.
By two points, Hirschman earned his team the inaugural Whelen Granite State Short Track Cup crown.
“I probably wouldn’t have gone to all three races had they not been tied together with a bonus,” Hirschman said. “I remember going to Beech Ridge last year and they thanked me for coming. Stuff like that is appreciated, and I talked to my car owner [Roy Hall] about [the Granite State Short Track Cup] and he said this is something we should support.”
Three-time series champion Justin Bonsignore finished sixth, followed by Tommy Catalano, Brian Robie, six-time champion Doug Coby and Matt Kimball.
In Claremont NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Racing Series action, Nick Houle rolled to the feature win in the Mini Stocks, while Colton Martin rocketed to the Pure Stock feature win. Capturing the Clash at Claremont gold in the Street Stocks was points leader David Greenslit, who continued his season dominance. Steve Miller Jr. continued his own season of success with a checkered flag in the Six Shooters.
A replay of the Clash at Claremont 150 will be aired on USA Network on Friday, August 5 at 1 p.m. The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour will return to racing on Wednesday, August 17, at Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park for the Phoenix Communications 150. The 2022 schedule is now complete for JDV Productions.
For more information on Claremont Motorsports Park, visit ClaremontMotorsportsPark.com. For more information on JDV Productions, visit JDVProductions.com and follow on social media for the latest updates.
-Story by: Souza Media
-Photo credit: Tom Morris Racing Photography