SEEKONK, Mass. – For Jon McKennedy second place was good enough in the big picture, but the veteran Modified driver certainly wanted a more fairy tale finish Saturday at Seekonk Speedway.
McKennedy finished second to Matt Hirschman in the Monaco Modified Tri-Track Series USNEPower Haunted Hundred XL Saturday at Seekonk Speedway.
The runner-up finish clinched the 2025 Monaco Modified Tri-Track Series title for McKennedy, of Chelmsford, Mass.
McKennedy spent almost the entirety of the event running second to Hirschman.
“We had a really good car all day and I really wanted to win,” McKennedy said. “It would have obviously been pretty special. We had a really good car. [Hirschman] is just so good here. I rode behind him in second for the majority of the race and I was literally in save mode for over half that race, saving as much as I could. But when it was time to go he had a tenth or so on us. As you could see the last five or six laps he was able to pull away.”
It was the second series title for McKennedy, who was the division’s inaugural season champion in 2014. Ronnie Williams ended up second in the standings, 38 points behind McKennedy. Chris Pasteryak was third in the final season rundown, 39 points off the lead.
“A very emotional year.” McKennedy said. “Up and down. I think we won six or seven Modified races throughout three different touring series. A handful of SuperModified races. But we also have a few that got away from us. A couple of big wrecks. A lot of ups and downs. But big picture we won the championship. Another Modified series championship for me. Just great.”
Hirschman scored his division leading 24th series win of all-time. It Hirschman’s eighth Monaco Modified Tri-Track Series victory at Seekonk and second consecutive in the Haunted Hundred and fourth overall in the event.
Hirschman swept all the Tour Type Modified events at Seekonk in 2025. He won the other Monaco Modified Tri-Track Series event at the track on June 25 and also won the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour event at Seekonk on June 1, 2025.
“We’re definitely on a streak here at Seekonk,” Hirschman said. “It will come to an end at some point for sure. But while we’ve got something working for us we’ll just keep riding the wave.”
Chase Grennan of Glen Cove, making his series debut, finished third. The 18-year old Riverhead Raceway regular had never turned a lap at Seekonk before a practice session on Friday.
“I never expected to have a run like this when we came here,” Grennan said. “I’ve never even seen this place before [Friday]. We came here yesterday and got a lot of experience with practice laps. We had a good piece from the moment we unloaded. … To run up front with two of the best guys in the country is really a dream come true. I’ve watched these guys growing up. I’m only 18. These guys are my heroes. To be running next to them like that, it really is amazing.”
Brett Meservey used a fifth place finish to earn a $6,000 bonus from the HalloWIzz “Start in the Back Challenge” in memory of Bob Horn. Matt Swanson and George Bessette Jr. also opted to participate in the challenge with each of them earning a $500 bonus. In addition to being supported by HalloWizz, the bonus challenge was also supported by J&R Precast/Bobby Katon Jr and Midstate Site Development/Glenn Korner.
Hirschman used the outside lane to grab the lead away from pole-sitter Grennan on the opening lap.
On lap 10 McKennedy found the lane under Patrick Emerling to move to third place. The first caution flew on lap 21 for the spinning car of Derek Robbie in turn four.
On the lap 21 restart Hirschman controlled at the front with McKennedy taking aim at second place Grennan. McKennedy was able to grab the spot away from Grennan on lap 22.
Caution returned on lap 33 when Keith Rocco spun off of turn four, setting up a wreck behind him involving Joey Mucciacciaro and Robbie.
Hirschman remained in control on the lap 32 restart.
On lap 37 there was a multi-car wreck in turn four that included Austin Beers, Tyler Chapman, Woody Pitkat, Max Zachem, Ryan Doucette and others to bring out another caution.
Hirschman was up to the task of fending off McKennedy on the lap 37 restart. With Hirschman leading McKennedy and Grennan in third, caution flew again on lap 62. Hirschman held the top spot on the lap 62 restart.
Caution returned to the field for an issue involving DiMatteo, Mikey Flynn and Noah Korner and on lap 77.
Hirschman made quick work of McKennedy at the front on the lap 77 restart.
A Jon Puleo spin in turn two brought caution out on lap 100. Hirschman had no challenge on the lap 100 restart, leaving Grennan to battle McKennedy for second. Grennan took the spot from McKennedy on lap 102.
On lap 103 championship contender Pasteryak spun out of fourth place after contact with Brett Meservey.
Hirschman made quick work getting away on the lap 103 restart. McKennedy got past Grennan for second.
A multi-car incident in turn four brought the yellow back out on lap 104. Hirschman had another smooth restart on lap 104 and McKennedy was able to fend off Grennan in the battle for second.
A Zachem spin off of turn four brought caution back out on lap 117.
Hirschman held tight at the top, but the action was short lived. Fifth place running George Bessette Jr. slowed on the track to bring the caution right back out.
On the second attempt at a lap 117 restart a mess began in turn four that ended up with Teddy Hodgdon’s car on top of Tyler Rypkema’s car.
The third attempt at a lap 117 restart had Hirschman getting away once again.
Video Views: Jon McKennedy, Matt Hirschman And Chase Grennan Saturday At Seekonk
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Boy. Thought the 38 might have had something for them, but in the end, great run! Clearly, matt had them all covered. 100 laps, 125 laps, no matter. Could be 200 as far as im concerned. He’s just that good there.
Only disappointment of the day for me, track tune for some odd reason bellied up, no reason given. Oh well.
overall good day of racing in all divisions. great car counts. my only gripe was they didn’t need to start all 36 cars in the mod race, and as Matt said, should have left race at 100 laps. nothing but trouble in the last 25 laps.
Hello… All 36 cars did not race…fact check… And race according to an announcer was an XL! Matt Hirschman has enough influence already, not to determine the length of the races… Hats off to the ACT tour…That was awesome! Not only did they show great respect in the feature, but it was the first time I’ve seen heat races that actually mattered. Not single file and nobody’s saving their tires! Great job guys, look forward to supporting that division in the future!