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10/15/2012 |
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NASCAR WHELEN MODIFIED CHAMPION, DOUG COBY,
TO RACE AT LEE'S OKTOBERFEST |
 With
no place else to race, the two top modified drivers in the country have
entered Oktoberfest competition at Lee USA Speedway October 19th, 20th, and
21st. With the benefit of 5 wins, CT driver Doug Coby claimed his first
NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Championship this past weekend at the Thompson
Speedway. Finishing second with two season win was Ryan Preece. Both drivers
will be at the wheel of NEMA midgets. An open question is whether they will
also bring their modified rides with them. Coby has three career Valenti
Modified Racing Series wins.
Four racing series championships will be decided on Oktoberfest Weekend at
the Lee USA Speedway. Over 300 cars from all over the northeast are expected
to converge on the speedway to compete in the 12 featured divisions.
PA driver Rowan Pennink recently edged two time Valenti Modified Series
champ Jon McKennedy of Chelmsford, MA in the 75 lap modified event at
Thompson Speedway, but McKennedy holds a 35 point lead coming into the
series season final 100 lap event on Oktoberfest Weekend at Lee USA.
McKennedy returns to his “home track” where he was once a top contender in
the small block supers. With 4 wins over the course of the 2012 season, the
Valenti Modified Racing Series crown is his to lose going into the last race
of the year. But Pennink has won the last two and has shaved over 20 points
off his lead.
And anything can happen. The last time the Valenti Modified Series visited
Lee USA, McKennedy was well on his way to victory when taken out in a
collision while battling for the lead with rookie driver Tommy Barrett Jr.
in turn three with ten to go. The ensuing 10 lap mad scramble took out a
half a dozen cars including Pennink and handed the victory to a surprised
former series champ Les Hincley. Barrett may have been seen as a problem
child at the beginning of the season, but his two consecutive wins at
Stafford and Waterford have earned him a considerable degree of respect. His
last to second charge in his only previous Lee USA performance served notice
that he is a serious contender.
Also returning to Lee USA are former track stars Norm Wrenn of Nashua and
Louie Mechalides of Tewksbury, MA who are currently listed as fourth and
fifth in the points standings. Mechalides posted a win at Seekonk this
season, while Wren has come close, but is still seeking his first Valenti
Modified Series victory.
The NEMA and NEMA Lites midget racing series will also be deciding their
respective championships at Lee USA during Oktoberfest. With three wins in
2012, Randy Cabral sits on top of the standings ahead of brothers Russ and
Greg Stoehr. Greg Stoehr, a former Lee USA late model driver has two
daughters Avery and Bethany contesting the NEMA Lite Championship.
George Helliwell has won 11 straight E-Keys for Cars Northeast Classic Cars
feature events and is running away with the series title. Robbie Bryant, the
only other feature winner in 2012 is second and Ed Gillman is third.
A large field of cars is also expected for the twin 50 lap pro stock
features, the first of which will be run on Saturday afternoon. The field
will be inverted and the second feature will be run on Sunday. In addition
to the pro stocks, the weekend will include racing action for the small
block supers, late models, late model sportsman, hobby stocks, ironman 6
cylinders, outlaw mini stocks, and 4 cylinder mini stocks.
Other Oktoberfest Weekend fan activities include Friday night’s Beer Bash
and Movie Party featuring Rich Hayes’ flicks from back in the “good old
days.” The traditional Saturday night Spaghetti Supper will also feature a
DJ and dancing into the night. Haunted Hay Rides can be had on both nights.
Breakfast will be served on both Saturday and Sunday mornings.
Friday practice will be from 3PM to 7PM. Heat races and the first of two
feature events for the pro stocks and NEMA Lites will be held on Saturday.
Gates open at 8AM. Racing starts at 12PM. Features start on Sunday at 12PM.
Lee's 27th Annual Flea Market and Swap Meet will be held on Saturday,
November 10th and Sunday, November 11th. Vendors can get in at 6AM to set-up
and buyers will be let in at 7AM both days.
On November 17th starting at 5:30PM for cocktail hour and dinner will begin
at 6:30PM, Lee USA Speedway will be honoring their 2012 NASCAR Whelen
All-American Series Champions at the Executive Court Inn in Manchester, NH
located on South Willow Street. |
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Source: Lee USA Speedway
Posted: October
15, 2012 |
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