When it comes to open wheel racing Jon McKennedy is one of the top drivers in the field. (Credit: Jon McKIennedy photo)

By Lou Modestino

The SBM 125 IV Modified Open held at Star Speedway on Saturday night proved to be the most competitive and exciting race in the four year history of the event, with three different race leaders over the final eight laps of the $46,301 event.

Jon McKennedy of Chelmsford, Mass. drove his family owned car to the victory, leading only six laps in the entire event to collect $6,175 for the popular victory. McKennedy won a three-car race for the lead in the closing laps that had fans on their feet at the end of the race.

Defending race winner Matt Hirschman took the lead from his outside pole starting position, based on a top eight redraw of the 24 starters. He was chased by a number of different drivers in the top three during the first half of the event.

Steve Masse, Tommy Barrett, Mike Douglas Jr., and Rowan Pennink were among that group. Several drivers elected to make a pit stop for a right rear tire when the caution waved just after lap 50, but Hirschman and the rest of the top five stayed out.

Les Hinckley was one of those who pitted, and on lap 74 he drove past Hirschman on the outside for the race lead. Hinckley hoped that it would be the winning pass, but Pennink had other ideas, as he took the lead away on lap 95.

The close racing continued, as Hinckley drove past Pennink on lap 118 with McKennedy beside him on Pennink’s rear bumper. McKennedy quickly took second and began applying pressure to the race leader as a caution waved with 119 laps complete.

That caution was all McKennedy needed as he lined up alongside Hinckley for the restart, and with a fresher right rear tire, he was able to power by Hinckley to take the prestigious victory at his home track.

Hinckley held on for second and $3,725, with Richard Savary, Steve Masse and Anthony Nocella, all drivers from Massachusetts rounding out the top five finishers. Hirschman pitted for a tire after he spun, finishing 13th to earn a $4,141 payday that includes lap money.

Here is the official finish and payoff.
Lap leaders were: Hirschman 1-73, Hinckley 74-94, Pennink 95-117, Hinckley 118-119, McKennedy 120-125.

SBM 125 IV PAYOFF June 14, 2014 $46,301 (all-time track record purse)
1. Jon McKennedy $6,175
2. Les Hinckley $3,725
3. Richard Savary $2,375
4. Steve Masse $2,650
5. Anthony Nocella $1,575
6. Rowan Pennink $2,500
7. Woody Pitkat $1,510
8. Max Zachem $1,300
9. Chris Pasteryak $1,750
10. Derek Ramstrom $1,400
11. Tommy Barrett $1,475
12. Mike Douglas Jr. $1,500
13. Matt Hirschman $4,141
14. Andy Seuss $1,500
15. TJ Potrzebowski $1,300
16. Kirk Alexander $1,000
17. Matt Galko $1,100
18. Jim Storace $1,000
19. Ryan Preece $1,000
20. Carl Medeiros Jr. $1,000
21. Todd Ceravolo $1,125
22. Todd Szegedy $1,150
23. Matt Swanson $1,100
24. Andy Jankowiak $1,650

DNS: Todd Annarummo ($200), Dennis Perry ($300), Chris Bolton ($200), Jamy Beegor ($100), Colbey Fournier ($100), Rick Labrecques ($100), Josh Cantara ($$100), Mark McClay ($100), Rob Richardi ($100).