OXFORD, Maine — The one accomplishment that eluded Jon McKennedy within the first NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour occasion at Oxford Plains Speedway since 1991 was the American Racer Tire Pole Award.
If not for a day rain bathe that washed out qualifying, McKennedy probably may have earned that Saturday, as nicely.
McKennedy’s No. 79 set an early commanding tone for the All States Supplies Group 150 by sweeping the 2 apply periods. As soon as he handed polesitter and Modified Tour factors chief Stephen Kopcik, McKennedy loved a dominant, quiet afternoon round Oxford Plains for his fourth sequence victory and second of 2026.
The arrogance McKennedy had in his automotive after apply proved to be well-founded, as he confronted minimal opposition for the lead all night. McKennedy credited the automotive’s stellar velocity to the onerous work exuded by everybody on his group.
“On the finish of the day, I acquired an excellent group of fellows behind me,” McKennedy stated. “A number of work and preparation went into this deal for this race, and the automotive was actually superior. I used to be content material with the race simply going [green]. All day, [the car] was a rocket ship. What can I say?”
In contrast to many of the different drivers entered within the All States Supplies Group 150, McKennedy has logged loads of laps round Oxford Plains throughout his profession.
McKennedy’s accolades at Oxford Plains embrace each Modified and Supermodified victories. That versatile background helped McKennedy settle right into a rhythm, one thing that will be crucial if he needed to realize important floor within the Modified Tour standings.
Not solely did McKennedy dominate, however everybody in entrance of him endured various levels of misfortune at Oxford Plains. Patrick Emerling light from the highest 5 late, whereas the highest two within the standings in Kopcik and Austin Beers each had poor finishes, with Beers’ eleventh being his first end exterior the highest 10 since Richmond Raceway in 2024.
Additionally making the most of a tough day for the title contenders was Tyler Rypkema, who positioned second within the iconic Ole Blue Modified for Boehler Racing Enterprises. Ole Blue was the one automotive within the subject that was entered within the Modified Tour race at Oxford Plains in 1991, when it completed second with Doug Heveron.
Regardless of not feeling nicely initially of the day, Rypkema persevered to earn his third high 5 of the 2026 Modified Tour marketing campaign. The efficiency was a much-needed change of tempo for Rypkema, whose streak of unhealthy luck included damaging the fence in the newest sequence occasion at Riverhead Raceway.
“We actually wanted that,” Rypkema stated. “Had two actually unhealthy races in a row clearly, the wreck at Riverhead and stepping into the wall at Seekonk [Speedway], basically ended my night time there alone. As quickly as we crossed the checkered flag, I’m like ‘thank god, we would have liked that’. By no means seen this place earlier than at present, but it surely was a enjoyable little observe.”
Though Rypkema proved expertise at Oxford Plains was not important to complete sturdy Saturday night, McKennedy made positive to make use of each bit of data he had concerning the place. What transpired was McKennedy’s most effective displaying since main 137 laps at Claremont Speedway throughout his championship marketing campaign in 2022.
McKennedy is now firmly in competition for one more Modified Tour title after his near-perfect day at Oxford Plains. By understanding all of the traits that make Oxford Plains distinctive, McKennedy felt he was all the time one step forward of his fellow competitors, a pattern he hopes to proceed going ahead.
“We had two-tenths on the sector it appeared like,” McKennedy stated. “We positively had a bit little bit of a bonus. [Oxford Plains] is a really line-sensitive observe. There’s no markings on the market; it’s vast, and your notion is difficult right here so far as raise factors. Laps and expertise right here positively helps, and all of it paid off.”
Eric Goodale secured his second high 5 end of 2026 with a third-place run within the All States Supplies Group 150. Ronnie Williams picked up his first Modified Tour high 5 since 2021 by ending fourth, with Paulie Hartwig III following him in fifth for a career-best run within the sequence.
