The Valenti Modified Series returns to Monadnock Saturday for the Victor Johnson Memorial 100. A rainout at Seekonk last weekend gave point leader Jon McKennedy the chance to race at Waterford Speedbowl and attempt to duplicate his ISMA Supermodified win at Lee USA Friday.

Lee had to battle the elements to get the ISMA race in — something the Valenti Modifieds can identify with all too well. They haven’t been able to race since late July.

At Lee, McKennedy wired the field in the Dunigan No. 79 to record his first ISMA win. His first-ever win came at Hudson in a Rookie Stock in 2001. He was second to Rob Summers at Waterford. McKennedy enters the Monadnock race atop the points. Wednesday night, he was slated to drive the Hill Enterprises/Coors Light No.79 in the NASCAR Whelen Modified 150 at Bristol.

Matt Frahm, 22, of North Salem, also enjoyed a wire-to-wire win at the wheel of the Lambert Roofing/WDW Machine/SNF Crane No. 14 in the Granite State Pro Stock Series event at Star Speedway. Frahm started out racing in a Small Block Super at Star and then met Pro Stock veteran Bobby Cabral through friends and went full-fendered racing in the Pro All-Star Series.

“The car was fast in practice on old tires,” Frahm said. “We threw the new stuff on and it was still a rocket ship. I thought, if I don’t use it up, I have a good chance.”

When racing on the PASS circuit, Frahm gets a lot of help from Cabral, Roger Dion, his father Dave and the rest of his family, crew and friends. “Roger’s a pretty sharp guy,” Frahm said. “It’s great to have him around. Same for Bobby.”

Cabral began racing at Star in 1982. In the Granite State Pro Stock Series, he’s Frahm’s teammate and the points leader. He recovered from a spin to finish third in the opener at Monadnock, came from the rear to win before a packed house at Hudson in July and was fifth at Star.

“I raced with Matt for 60-70 laps before I got shuffled back,” Cabral said. “We’re both trying to help this series get established. Mike Parks has done a good job. They’ve got a good tire rule and their tech is good. They had the top four cars — Frahm and Massachusetts drivers Mike O’Sullivan, Barry Gray and Phil Meany — on jackstands after the race. The Hudson Hugger 100 will be a good one. It was standing room only last time.” Also on tap at Hudson — the “Mighty Mike” Lewis Memorial for Rookie Stocks.

“I’ve never turned a lap at Hudson,” Frahm said. “I have spotted for Outlaw cars there. I like going to different tracks. I’m looking forward to it.”

Emerson Cayer of Contoocook won the Northeast Mini Stock Tour 50 at Monadnock. That brings him within nine points of Tour leader Shawn Swallow of Stark. Danny Field, Monadnock regular Mike Stebbins and Louie Maher finished 2-3-4. Star hosts the Northeast Mini Stock Tour this Saturday.

Nick Pilotte of Jefferson retook the lead from Groveton’s Jason Kenison to win the Jack McDowell 100 for Street Stocks at Riverside Speedway. Pilotte is the Thunder Road Street Stock point leader.

White Mountain’s Strictly Stocks go 50 laps Saturday. The extra-distance affair will break up a three-way tie at the top of the division. Two of the three drivers have to prep for the race amidst high school soccer practice.

Rookie Chandler Potter of Marshfield, Vt., is a defenseman for Twinfield High. He went from go-karts to Kids Trucks. He’s helped by his dad Mike, his Uncle Jeff, Mike Papineau and sponsors Country Floors and Lucky Day Ice of Marshfield. “I had to start out back for three weeks as a rookie, so it took me a while to catch up,” Potter said.

Lucas Wheeler, 17, is in his second year. He drives the No. 21 sponsored by Bare Bones BBQ in Fairlee, Vt., Lakeside Auto, KDD NAPA Auto Parts and Sargent Artesian Wells. He started out in the Kids Trucks division in 2008. “I finished third in this race last year,” Wheeler said. “We’ve rebuilt the car from the ground up. I‘ve won one race, but my best night was when I started sixth, fell back to 14th and then got back up to fourth.”

The third driver in the points knot is Shane Sicard of Barton, Vt. Sicard has won twice and spent the most time in first place. His brother Jody, Danny Walker, Alvin Sydney, John Keenan and friend Jake work on the car sponsored by Viking Restoration, Foley Oil and J.P. Sicard.

Canaan Dirt promoter Dick Therrien has a new twist in store for the Modifieds on NAPA Night — the Forward’s Garage “King of the Hill.” The top 10 in points will race two at a time for three laps — winner advancing to the next round, loser eliminated. “I am really excited for this event”, Therrien said. “They are racing for a lot of money, and it will be very entertaining!” Twin 25-lap Small Block Super features top Lee’s card tomorrow plus a $200-to-win 25-lap Ironman special.

Tom Herzig writes a weekly motor sports column for the New Hampshire Union Leader.

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On Track This Week

Thunder Road (Vt.): Thursday, 6 p.m.
Canaan Dirt: Friday, 7 p.m.
Lee USA: Friday, 7 p.m.
Bear Ridge (Vt.): Saturday, 6 p.m.
Canaan Asphalt: Saturday, 6 p.m.
Monadnock: Saturday, 6 p.m.
Riverside Speedway: Saturday, 6 p.m.
Star Speedway: Saturday, 6 p.m.
Twin State: Saturday, 6 p.m.
White Mountain: Saturday, 6 p.m.
Legion Speedway: Sunday, 5 p.m.
Hudson Speedway: Sunday, 6 p.m.