Jon McKennedy fought off all challengers to claim the top prize in the 16th annual North-South Shootout modified race at Concord Speedway on Saturday night.
McKennedy passed Andy Seuss on a restart with 21 laps to go for the final lead change in the action-packed event. McKennedy had to fight off a late charge by former Shootout winner Matt Hirschman for the win.
Hirschman had been quiet for most if the event but charged around Jimmy Blewett and Seuss in the waning laps to challenge McKennedy. Blewett finished third while Seuss fell to fifth behind John Smith.
McKennedy led the most laps but admitted he had to have a plan to get around Seuss as the cars sat quietly following a red flag at lap 104 of 125.
“I told my crew that my best chance to get around Andy was on that restart and it worked out. I think the heat cycle in the tires worked out for me and worked against Andy while the cars sat under the red.”
28 modifieds checked in at the half-mile tri-oval, the biggest field in several years. McKennedy blistered the track with a qualifying lap of 15.296 to claim the pole.
In support races Ryan Robertson won the 50-lap feature for the 602 Super Limiteds, Robbie Brewer dominated to take first place in the 40-lap race for 602 Modifieds, Todd Bradbury captured the 30-lap Street Stock win, Barry Wilson won the 20-lap Mini Stock battle and Brett Suggs took the 25-lap Allison Legacy event.
