THOMPSON, Conn. – Jon McKennedy recorded an emotional victory in the season finale for the International Supermodified Ass’n Sunday at Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park.
McKennedy led from start to finish in the 50-lap feature and dedicated the win to his father, who passed away recently.
“First I want to give a shout out to Lee and Pam Vinal, the car owners. We’ve been great the last two years,” said McKennedy. “We won a handful of races, and a championship. This was a great way to end the season.
“It was a great win as I lost my dad a week or two ago. I have a lot of emotions for sure. But Dad was riding with me today and I was glad to get this win. It feels great. The car ran awesome. A big thanks to the crew, everyone – a big shout out to Bob Harrington Paving, and everyone who makes this possible.”
Mike Lichty came home in sixth, but that was enough for him to clinch the IMSA championship.
“Mission accomplished. It was a good year all in all, definitely. I am a little disappointed on how we ran today being that we were extremely quick in practice and the heat race. We were way too loose right from the green flag. But we did what we had to do,” Lichty said. “I have to give a big thanks to Craig Reed and Reed Salvage and everyone in the Reed family. Also to my father and Patco Transportation and everybody on the crew. And thanks to Level Performance and everybody at the shop.
“One win this year at Oswego and a lot of top threes. This was key – in order to win the championship you have to finish every lap and so we did that. This championship is primarily for all the guys who put in the hard work to it. I always say go win races and the points will take care of themselves. I usually don’t points race. But this is for all of them. It’s a good deal. We’ll get things organized over the winter and go at it again next year.
Mike Ordway Jr. finished second, which was enough to move him into second in the final IMSA standings over 2018 IMSA champion Kyle Edwards. Ben Seitz was third, followed by Timmy Jedrzejek and Edwards.
The finish:
Jon McKennedy, Mike Ordway Jr., Ben Seitz, Timmy Jedrzejek, Kyle Edwards, Mike Lichty, Michael Barnes, Dave Shullick, Dan Bowes, Mark Sammut, Jeffrey Battle, Dan Connors, A.J. Lesiecki, Jamie Timmons, Rich Reid, Trent Stephens, Chris Perley, Nick Cappelli, Bobby Chartier, Dave Duggan, Mike Netishen, Joey Payne, Tyler Thompson.