THOMPSON, CT (October 11, 2026) – Jon McKennedy continued his impressive late-season charge Saturday afternoon, capturing the Monaco Modified Series’ 75-lap feature at the 62nd annual World Series of Speedway Racing at Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park. His trip to Sign Pro Victory Lane marked another pivotal moment in the 2026 championship battle, with just one race remaining on the schedule.
The Monaco Modified Series entered World Series weekend with an impressive 33-car entry list, but an accident during Friday night’s Modified Racing Series (MRS) feature, combined with the rescheduling of NASCAR’s Whelen Modified Tour event to Saturday’s racing card, took out eight cars, reducing the field to 25 competitors.
Silk set the pace during qualifying, earning the top spot with a blistering lap of 18.900 seconds around the historic five-eighths-mile oval. McKennedy qualified second with an 18.982-second lap, followed by Chapman, Beers, and Teddy Hodgdon.
Race Recap
Polesitter Ron Silk wasted little time establishing himself as the driver to beat, jumping out to an early lead and setting the pace through the opening half of the 75-lap feature.
The first caution waved on lap 39, sending most of the field down pit road for a fresh tire. Silk won the battle off pit road to retain the top spot, while Ronnie Williams capitalized on the ensuing restart to slip past Jon McKennedy for second.
A second caution on lap 49 brought the field back together, setting up a showdown among the Series’ top three championship contenders. With Silk, Williams, and McKennedy battling at the front, the stage was set for a dramatic finish.
McKennedy made his decisive move on lap 61, taking the lead from Silk and never looking back. He pulled away over the closing 14 laps to secure his fourth Monaco Modified Series victory of the 2026 season, adding another impressive performance to his championship campaign. Ron Silk and Austin Beers completed the podium. Woody Pitkat and rookie Tyler Chapman rounded out the top five. Derek Gluchacki, Chris Pasteryak, Jack Ely, Noah Korner, and Brett Meservey rounded out the top ten.
Special Awards Recognize Standout Performances
In addition to the battle for the checkered flag, several competitors earned special recognition through the Monaco Modified Series’ valued sponsorship partners.
Woody Pitkat earned the $500 Van Horst General Contractors Hard Charger Award, advancing through the field to secure an impressive fourth-place finish.
Runner-up Ron Silk collected the $250 Constantine Paving & Sealing Most Laps Led Award, recognizing his performance at the front of the field.
Race winner Jon McKennedy also received a $500 Creative Racing Products Gift Card, adding to his World Series victory.
Championship Battle Comes Down to Seekonk
With Saturday’s results in the books, the Monaco Modified Series championship will be decided at Seekonk Speedway, where the 2026 season concludes with the USNEPower Haunted Hundred.
McKennedy entered Thompson holding a 13-point advantage over Silk, with Ronnie Williams and Kyle Bonsignore among those still battling for valuable championship positions. McKennedy’s victory, coupled with Silk’s runner-up finish, sets the stage for an exciting season finale.
The championship carries significant financial rewards, with USNEPower and Union Insurance Group supporting the Series’ $50,000 point fund, distributed among the top ten finishers in the final standings.
The Series will also crown its USNEPower Energizer Zone Award winner, who will receive a $2,000 bonus for spending the most race weeks inside the top five in championship points.
Fans and competitors can view the latest championship standings at MonacoModifieds.com/2026-standings.
Mr. Rooter Kids’ Club Celebrates Fall at Thompson
Young race fans enjoyed some seasonal fun during Saturday’s World Series festivities as the Mr. Rooter Kids’ Club hosted a special pumpkin-decorating activity.
Kids were invited to put their creativity to work, decorating pumpkins with colorful markers and stickers while enjoying another afternoon of family-friendly fun at the racetrack.
The activity was another example of the Series’ commitment to making race weekends memorable for its youngest fans and their families. The Monaco Modified Series extends its appreciation to Mr. Rooter for its continued support of the Kids’ Club throughout the 2026 season.
Relive the Action — More Coverage Coming!
Fans who missed Saturday’s action, or those looking to relive the excitement, can catch race replays on NESTN.tv.
And there’s even more to come! The Monaco Modified Series will be sharing spectacular drone footage, extended race highlights, and exclusive onboard camera action across its social media channels in the coming days. From breathtaking aerial perspectives to the intense action inside the cockpit, fans won’t want to miss these additional views of the World Series.
Be sure to follow the Monaco Modified Series on social media for all the latest video coverage, photos, and updates.
One More Race: The USNEPower Haunted Hundred
The Monaco Modified Series will bring its 2026 campaign to a close at Seekonk Speedway for the USNEPower Haunted Hundred, where the Series champion will be crowned.
With a $10,000 winner’s payday, championship honors, and final point-fund positions on the line, the season finale promises to deliver plenty of excitement at the Massachusetts third-mile oval.
Additional event details, entry information, and championship updates will be available at MonacoModifieds.com.