Papa Ken Tames the Magic Mile

Loudon, NH — In a race defined by tire conservation, drafting strategy, and a masterful display of low-line driving, Kenny Allen surged from a 10th-place starting position to claim a hard-fought victory in Round 13 of the Red Light Racing Modified Series at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. The Magic Mile lived up to its reputation, delivering a high-stakes battle that reshaped the championship narrative between Eric Stout and Dalton Williamson.

The Tour Modifieds brought significant horsepower to the relatively flat New Hampshire layout, which features banking of only two to seven degrees. The lack of banking created a unique weight transfer challenge, making the cars feel loose on entry and exit while remaining tight through the center. With tire conservation being paramount, the bottom lane remained the primary tool for making passes throughout the event.

The race began with teammates Eric Stout and AJ Hamel on the front row. However, disaster struck Hamel early when he lost the handle on the top side coming out of turn two, resulting in a spin that forced the field to scramble and broke up the initial pack. This incident played into the hands of the championship leaders; Stout and Dalton Williamson found themselves nose-to-tail and formed an alliance, with Williamson choosing to push Stout to gap the field by over a second.

While the leaders looked to check out, Kenny Allen began a methodical march through the field. Starting in 10th, Allen found significant grip in the bottom lane. By the middle stages of the race, Allen was side-by-side with Stout, using an aggressive low entry to carry momentum. The battle between Allen’s low-line precision and Stout’s high-side momentum became the focal point of the race as Allen challenged for the lead without a drafting partner.

The intensity increased as the race progressed, leading to several major incidents. A significant wreck off turn four involving AJ Hamel, Bradley Stefane, and Hayden Austin ended the night for several front-runners. Late in the race, contact between Brian Bianchi and Patrick Stout collected Dalton Williamson, dealing a massive blow to Williamson’s title hopes as he limped to an 18th-place finish. During the cautions, some drivers like Fred LeClair opted for fresh rubber, taking only two tires to maintain track position.

The closing laps saw a dramatic three-way fight for the win between Kenny Allen, Eric Stout, and Jeff Aho. On lap 57, Allen finally secured the pass for the lead. Despite a light tap from Stout in the final corners, Allen committed to his line. Jeff Aho made a bold, three-wide move on the final lap to briefly take second before drifting high, allowing Stout to reclaim the runner-up spot. Kenny Allen crossed the finish line first, securing his second win of the season.

In victory lane, Allen credited his long-run setup, noting he was determined to win by his preferred line. Stout expressed joy for Allen’s victory despite settling for second, while Aho finished third to round out the podium. The top five was completed by Rob Higgins and Brian Bianchi. The series now looks ahead to the high-speed challenges of Talladega, where the draft will once again take center stage.