The Monaco Modified Series will bookend the summer season at the Connecticut shoreline this Sunday, September 6, returning to the New London-Waterford Speedbowl for 100 laps of Modified racing on Labor Day Weekend.
After kicking off the unofficial start of summer at the Speedbowl earlier this season, the Monaco Modifieds return on the holiday weekend that traditionally signals summer’s final hurrah — and this time, the stakes are even higher.
With fall approaching and the 2026 season entering its stretch run, one of the tightest championship battles in Series history will take center stage at the historic 3/8-mile oval.
Jon McKennedy arrives at Waterford atop the Union Insurance Group/USNEPower championship standings following his dramatic victory at Seekonk Speedway. McKennedy holds just a five-point advantage over Ronnie Williams, while two-time 2026 winner Ron Silk sits only seven points out of the lead. With just seven points separating the top three, every position — and every point — will matter Sunday afternoon. All three championship contenders are entered for Sunday’s 100-lap showdown, part of a stout field headed to the shoreline oval that includes Matt Hirschman, who will be looking to sweep the Series’ two 2026 visits to Waterford after capturing the 100-lap feature when the Monaco Modifieds visited the Speedbowl in June.
The championship battle extends beyond the overall standings. McKennedy and Williams are tied atop the USNEPower Energizer Zone, each having spent all five races this season inside the championship top five. Kyle Bonsignore has recorded four weeks in the Zone, while Silk has three. The season-long Energizer Zone program will award a $2,000 bonus based on performance and longevity inside the championship top five.
Drivers will have even more on the line during the 100-lap feature thanks to several Monaco Modified Series special awards. The Van Horst General Contractors Hard Charger Award will pay $500 to the driver who advances the most positions during the feature, while the Constantine Paving & Sealing Most Laps Led Award will pay $250 to the driver who leads the most laps. Creative Racing Products will also present a $500 gift card to Sunday’s race winner, who will celebrate the Labor Day weekend victory in Sign Pro Victory Lane.
Off the track, young fans can once again be part of the action through the Monaco Modified Kids’ Club presented by Mr. Rooter. Free to join, the Kids’ Club has become a staple of Monaco Modified Series race days, offering young fans activities, games, giveaways and opportunities to get involved in the excitement of short-track racing. Families can look for the signature red Mr. Rooter Kids’ Club tent on the Speedbowl midway Sunday afternoon.
Sunday’s schedule gets underway with grandstands opening at 1 p.m. Monaco Modified Series Group Qualifying begins at 2:45 p.m., setting the field for the 100-lap feature scheduled for approximately 4:15 p.m.
From the final holiday weekend of summer to a championship fight separated by only a handful of points, Sunday afternoon has all the ingredients for a memorable return to the Connecticut shoreline.
For the complete and updated entry list, visit MonacoModifieds.com, where fans can follow Race Central throughout race day for information and live updates.