Starting fifth in a 24-car field, Masse moved to second by lap nine and then took over the lead from early race leader Todd Annarummo, Swansea, MA on lap 19.

Despite 11-caution periods that slowed the race, Masse opened up sizable leads, several times by large margins, but was never headed. Rob Goodenough, West Swanzey, NH., who started the race in seventh position, finished in the runner up spot followed by Ken Barry, Preston, CT., Kirk Alexander, West Swanzey, NH., and 17 year old Norwich Free Academy student, Max Zachem, Preston, CT. At one point in the race Zachem was joined in the top five by fellow high-schooler Joey Jarvis, Ascutney. Both drivers will graduate from high school in June.

Sixth through tenth was Les Hinckley, Windsor Locks, CT., Joey Jarvis, Charlie Pasteryak, Lisbon, CT., Dwight Jarvis, Ascutney, and Eddie Spiers, Beacon Falls, CT.

Hinckley was also the recipient of a $400 bonus posted by motorsports columnist, Kevin Rice of Area Auto Racing News for the best average between finish the two races at Airborne Speedway, Plattsburgh, NY and Thunder Road.

The Modified Racing Series will next appear at the Seekonk Speedway on Saturday June, 12 2010.

Order of Finish:
1. 13. Stephen Mase- Bellingham, MA
2. 1NH Rob Goodenough- Swanzey, NH
3. 2 Ken Barry- Preston, CT
4. 43 Kirk Alexander- Swanzey, NH
5. 79 Max Zachem- Preston, CT
6. 06 Les Hinckley- Windsor Locks, CT
7. 9NH Joey Jarvis- Ascutney, VT
8. 5 Charlie Pasteryak- Libson, CT
9. 28 Dwight Jarvis- Ascutney, VT
10. 18 Eddy Spiers- Beacon Falls, CT
11. 50 Matt Hirschman- Northampton, PA
12. 12 Todd Annarummo- Swansea, MA
13. 53 Norm Wrenn- Nashua, NH
14. 0 John Cleary- Madison, CT
15. 8 Kurt Vigeant- Oxford, MA
16. 77 Kenny White Jr.- Weare, NH
17. 72 Jimmy Kuhn- Bridgewater, MA
18. 58 Eric Goodale- Wading River, NY
19. 70 Andy Seuss- Hampstead, NH
20. 21 Geoffrey Gernhard- Salem, CT
21. 73 Jon McKennedy- Chelmsford, MA
22. 05 Jacob Dore- Sanford, ME
23. 69 Jim Dolan- Bethel, CT
24. 25 Rowan Pennink, Northampton, MA

Sources: John Spence, Sr./MRS PR

The Memorial Day tradition has been going on at the high-banked oval for nearly half a century. Beginning in 1961, the list of winners is a great tribute to some of the men who helped build stock car racing in the northeast. That tradition continues this Memorial weekend.

A favorite to repeat his win from last season’s Memorial Day Classic is David Pembroke from Middlesex, Vermont. “I guess we have some momentum after our win at Devil’s Bowl last weekend, but this Memorial Day race is really a tough one to win. There are so many capable teams that run in championship form at Thunder Road, and they all want to be on that granite monument behind the tower,” said two-time winner Pembroke.

The modern day defending champions of the Memorial Day Classic tells much of the story. Entered in this year’s Late Model half of the Classic along with Pembroke include: Phil Scott, Cris Michaud, Joey Laquerre, Joey Becker, Brent Dragon and 2008 winner John Donahue. Over 30 Late Model teams will be joined by Thunder Road Bond Auto Sportsmen and Allen Lumber Street Stocks and Warriors.

For the third straight year, the popular Modified Racing Series will return to make up the second half of the doubleheader. Returning to the high banks at Thunder Road are both past winners, three-time Series Champion Kirk Alexander from Swanzey, NH, and young modified star Stephen Masse of Bellingham, MA. Masse will try and defend his first-ever win on the series, which took place at last year’s Thunder Road 100 lap event.

The MRS will appear at a dozen different tracks in 2010, and veterans like Dwight Jarvis from Ascutney, VT, Les Hinckly from Windsor Locks, CT, and Jack Bateman from Lebanon, NH have all attended every event at Thunder Road. The young crop of Modified teams is also impressive, with rookie contender Joey Jarvis, son of veteran Peter Jarvis from Ascutney, VT leading the young delegation charge to the ‘Nation’s Site of Excitement’.

Post time for the Mekkelsen Memorial Day Double Header is 1:30 this Sunday. Gates will open at 8:00 in the pits and 10:00 o’clock for general admission. Admission for the Classic twin 100’s is only $18. A family pass will be offered with two kids being admitted free with two adult tickets.

Sources: ACT PR

MEMORIAL DAY CLASSIC SCHEDULE

CAMPING
Friday, May 28 – Tuesday, May 31
Noon Friday Grounds open for camping
Noon Tuesday All Campers must be off property

CAMPING $15 [Due to vandalism on opening weekend, Thunder Road has increased the camping fee to cover cost of additional security needed. Please respect the property and fellow campers]

Saturday, May 29
NO RACING OR PRACTICE
Any transporters can be put in pits from noon until 6:00 — MRS haulers from Airborne are asked to stage in the FRONT ENTRANCE PARKING LOT if they plan on returning to TR after the Airborne event.

Sunday, May 30
7:30 OFFICIALS MEETING TECH TRAILER
8:00 Pits Open [LM & MRS TEAMS ONLY]
8:15 Tire Draw and Compound Open
8:30 TR Sportsman and Street/Warriors pit registration (please line up in front parking lot until called to back lot)
8:30 OPEN LM TECH
9:15 Drivers Meeting ALL TR DIVISIONS

PRACTICE:
10:00 TS
10:15 SS/JYW
10:25 LM
10:45 MRS
11:00 TS
11:15 SS/JYW
11:25 LM
11:45 MRS
Noon TS Final
12:20 SS/JYW Final
12:35 LM Final
12:55 MRS Final
1:10 CLOSE TRACK
1:22 Post Parade (#88VT, #16TS, #3SS, #34SS, #04JYW, #4JYW)
1:30 LM HEATS
SPORTSMAN HEATS
MRS HEATS
LM CONSI /B
SS HEATS
WARRIOR HEAT
SPORTSMAN CONSI
MRS CONSI
SPORTSMAN “B” FEATURE TBA
INTERMISSION
LM Memorial Day Classic 100
Victory Lane
MRS Memorial Day Classic 100
Victory Lane
SS/JYW ‘RESERVE’ FEATURE 25 LAPS
SPORTSMAN FEATURE 35 Laps
SS/JYW FEATURE 25 LAPS
6:00 CLOSE TRACK

Schedule subject to change

Airborne Speedway, Plattsburgh, NY., will host the series on Saturday, May 29., for the first time. Series drivers expected to enter the “U.S. Army, Greg Atkins Logging and Taylor Rental 100,” include 2009 series champion Jon McKennedy, E.Chelmsford, MA., 2006 series champion Dwight Jarvis, Ascutney, VT., long time modified driver Carl Pasteryak, Lisbon, CT., recent Albany-Saratoga Speedway winner, Rowan Pennink, Huntingdon Valley, PA., 2009 Koszela Speed Rookie of the Year, Jacob Dore, Sanford, ME., and Kenny Barry, Preston, CT. to name a few. Saturday’s race program gets underway at 5 P.M.

Sunday, May 30, the action shifts to the famed Thunder Road International Speedbowl, Barre, VT., for the running of the Mekkelsen RV Memorial Day Classic, the third appearance there by the MRS. McKennedy, Dwight Jarvis, Pennink, Dore, and Barry are all expected to enter the Sunday program.

Last years race champion, Stephen Masse, of Bellingham, MA., is expected to defend his first ever series win. 2008 T-Road winner, Kirk Alexander, Swanzey, NH., has stated he plans to try and get back to victory lane at the famed race track. Alexander is a three-time series champion and the tours all-time feature winner.

Charlie Pasteryak, Lisbon, CT., is expected to return to competition at Thunder Road after being sidelined with health problems. Veterans Mike Holdridge, Madison, CT., Sean Bodreau, Claremont, NH., Jimmy Dolan, Bethel, CT.,and Les Hinckley, Windsor Locks, CT., are also expected entries. Koszela Speed Rookie of the Year candidates, Joey Jarvis, Ascutney, Norman Wrenn, Nashua, NH., and Kurt Vigeant, Oxford, MA.,are planning to enter the holiday program. Sunday’s race card starts at 1:30 P.M. For additional information log on to www.modifiedracingseries.com.

Sources: John Spence, Sr./Modified Racing Series PR

Pembroke led the majority of the first half of the race before battling Laperle just after the halfway point in the 150 lap event. Pembroke drove back around Laperle but then lost the battle with Sweet. Pembroke would hold on for fourth and Mark Lamberton took fifth. Craig Bushey, Joey Laquerre, Chip Grenier, Scott Payea and Mark Hayward rounded out the top ten.

The 12th Annual Merchants Bank 150 was the season opener for the 25th Season of American Canadian Tour racing and also the season opener of the 2010 Thunder Road season. With the win Sweet also earned the first invitation to the ACT Invitational at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on Saturday, September 18.

The Bond Auto Tiger Sportsman feature went flag to flag with outside pole sitter George May of Barre taking the win. Mike Ziter of Williamstown took second followed by Barre’s Cody Blake in third. Joel Hodgdon and Josh Demers rounded out the top five while Eric Badore, Pete Ainsworth, Tony Rossi, David Finck and Bobby Therrien completed the top ten.

The Allen Lumber Street Stocks and the Junkyard Warriors ran two features. Mike MacAskill of Williamstown, VT took home the first feature win. He was followed to the line by Graniteville’s Travis Hull, Bunker Hodgdon of Hardwick, VT, Jean Leblanc of Gorham, NH and William Hennequin of Morrisville rounding out the top five. The second feature saw Tim Campbell of Topsham take the checkers with Hardwick’s Greg Adams, Barre’s Ron Gabaree, Berlin’s Scott Weston and Joe Fecteau from Hardwick taking the top five.

In the Warriors Cabot’s Ken Christman earned the win in the first feature with Kevin Hebert and Tommy Elwood finishing in the top three. In the second feature Williamstown’s Kevin Wheatley took the win with Barre’s Kevin Dodge and Williamstown’s Brock Parrott rounding out the top three.

The American Canadian Tour will be back in action next Saturday, May 8 at Airborne Speedway for the Spring Green 100. Thunder Road International Speedbowl will continue the 2010 season Sunday, May 30 with the Mekkelsen RV Memorial Day Classic doubleheader with the Thunder Road Late Model 100 and Modified Racing Series 100. The Thunder Road Late Models will kick off their 2010 championship contention on Sunday, May 23 at Devil’s Bowl Speedway.

Unofficial ACT Merchants Bank 150 Results

1. 88VT Nick Sweet

2. 37VT Brian Hoar

3. 91QC Patrick Laperle

4. 44VT Dave Pembroke

5. 16NY Mark Lamberton

6. 05VT Craig Bushey

7. 15VT Joey Laquerre

8. 9VT Chip Grenier

9. 89VT Scott Payea

10. 77NH Mark Hayward

11. 55NH Phil Scott

12. 97NH Joey Polewarczyk, Jr.

13. 22VT Jean-Paul Cyr

14. 55VT Brent Dragon

15. 02NH Randy Potter

16. 2NH Tracie Bellerose

17. 18VT Jamie Fisher

18. 3NH Michael Kenison

19. 15ON Derek Lynch

20. 7ME Glen Luce

21. 41VT Pete Potvin III

22. 12VT Reno Gervais

23. 16VT Joey Becker

24. 04ME TJ Watson

25. 42MA Jeff Zuidema

26. 40VT Eric Chase

27. 1VT Tony Andrews

28. 42VT Matt White

29. 38VT Tyler Cahoon

30. 6VT Cris Michaud

Unofficial Bond Auto Tiger Sportsman Feature Results

1. 16 George May

2. 26 Mike Ziter

3. 99 Cody Blake

4. 36 Joel Hodgdon

5. 10 Josh Demers

6. 04 Eric Badore

7. 80 Pete Ainsworth, Jr.

8. 90 Tony Rossi

9. 37 David Finck

10. 4 Bobby Therrien

11. 68 Derrick O’Donnell

12. 55 Brian Delphia

13. 23 Matt Potter

14. 58 Jimmy Hebert

15. 31 Shawn Fleury

16. 18 Lance Allen

17. 50 Joey Roberts

18. 9 Ricky Roberts

19. 48 Tom Therrien

20. 1 Scott Coburn

21. 8 Mike Billado

22. 40 Shawn Powell

23. 00 Joe Steffen

24. 01 #Mike Martin

25. 60 Jeffrey Bousquet

26 06 Jeff French

Unofficial Allen Lumber Street Stock/Junkyard Warrior Feature #1 Finish
1. 3ss Micheal MacAskill

2. 66ss Travis Hull

3. 83ss Bunker Hodgdon

4. 7ss Jean LeBlanc

5. 47ss William Hennequin

6. 77ss Dave Whitcomb

7. 13ss Markus Farnham

8. 43ss Jamie Davis

9. 59ss Scott Maynard

10. 70ss Paul Giacherio

11. 73ss Vern Woodard

12. 33ss #Thomas Placey

13. 2ss David LaFleche

14. 4jyw Ken Christman

15. 09ss Amanda Habel

16. 35ss #Keith Fortier

17. 63jyw Kevin Hebert

18. 05ss #Donnie Yates

19. 92ss Garry Bashaw

20. 88jyw Thomas Elwood

21. 71jyw Matt Monaghan

22. 17jyw Michael Devino, Sr.

Unofficial Allen Lumber Street Stock/Junkyard Warrior Feature #2 Finish

1 34ss Tim Campbell, Sr.

2 38ss Greg Adams

3 9ss Ron Gabaree

4 04ss Scott Weston

5 75ss Joe Fecteau

6 29ss Gary Mullen

7 4ss Shawn Swallow

8 6ss Daniel Lathrop

9 18ss #Jayme Lee

10 31jyw Kevin Wheatley

11 8jyw Kevin Dodge

12 23jyw Brock Parrott

13 1jyw Chad Brown

14 03ss Lloyd Blakely

15 22ss Thomas Smith

16 51ss #Sid Sweet Jr.

17 07ss Eric Johnson

18 78ss #Alex Whitcomb

19 26ss Danny Doyle

20 25ss Jennifer Getty

21 23ss Kyle Hess

22 38jyw George Sanders

——————————————————————————–

ACT
http://www.acttour.com/article.php/20100502160705346

“When the opportunity came calling, this kid (Bellerose) knew exactly what she wanted and that was to go back to racing competitively. I tried golf, but the golf carts were too slow, I then bought a Harley, but wrecking that on the highway was way worse than a couple of memorable wrecks I had at Thunder Road. Quite frankly, I have not even been able to visit Thunder Road as a spectator – I have missed racing so much. Obviously, I am pretty excited,” said Bellerose.

There will be no rust on the team she is joining. The Laquerre Race Team located in Barre, VT, owned by Jeff Laquerre, won the 2009 50th Anniversary “King of the Road” title at Thunder Road with seven-time American Canadian Tour Champion Jean-Paul Cyr. Cyr has moved over to a full-time effort on the popular touring series, and that opened the door for Bellerose to return to the driver’s seat for the championship Laquerre team.

Thunder Road promoter, Tom Curley, said, “This is really special for the 2010 season at Thunder Road. Tracie was one of the most popular, respectful, and competitive racers we have ever had at the “Nation’s Site of Excitement”. The combination of Jeff Laquerre and Tracie, with the team they assembled in 2000 coming back together, will not only bring a high level of competition, but they will bring a great spirit to the track. That is what the ‘Road’ is all about.”

“Tracie also indicated that she wants to try and get to races like the TD Bank 250 at Oxford Plains in July, and obviously, she will bring a lot to the Thunder Road ACT special events. I was already anxious for the season to begin; now it gets even more exciting for our fans and competitors,” concluded Curley.

The Bellerose-Laquerre team will have plenty of competition in 2010 when she joins former fellow “Kings of the Road”, many of whom hoisted Tracie Bellerose above their shoulders in a victory lane celebration after she locked up the championship ten years ago. Laquerre helped bring two of the three titles Cris Michaud has won. Michaud will try to bring Ford the first title to Thunder Road since Dave Dion won it in 1977. Michaud will have a new crew chief, Troy Wheeler, who won the TR title in 2006 with his brother Chad at the wheel. Three-time Champion and the winningest Late Model driver of all time at Thunder Road, Phil Scott, will try to make it four titles. Former Thunder Road Champions Jamie Fisher, Dave Pembroke, Pete Fecteau, and Dave Whitcomb will welcome Bellerose back to the Thursday night battles.

Bellerose has five (5) feature wins at Thunder Road and three (3) ACT wins —two (2) of them at Thunder Road. She last raced in a pair of ACT events in 2007. The team has secured sponsorship from long-time supporter, the Amoskeag Beverage Distributor of New Hampshire. Most fans will remember the Miller Lite beer brand on her race cars from past years. They will also receive support from a long-time Lancaster, NH supporter, Scorpio’s Sports Bar.

The team will begin their season when the American Canadian Tour opens the 51st season at Thunder Road with the 12th Annual Merchants Bank 150 on May 2, 2010. Over 50 of the best Late Model teams in the Northeast are expected to try to qualify for the event. This season former Thunder Road Champion, Tracie Bellerose will be one of them.

Sources: ACT PR

Chip lives with his wife Larissa and their two cats. He works as a foundation mason during the summer and a racecar
fabricator during the winter.

2009 Season: Chip competed on the ACT Tour full-time for the first time during the 2009 season. He earned four top tens in his 12 starts and earned ninth place in the final point standings. He also finished tenth in the 47th Annual Chittenden Bank Milk Bowl. At the 2009 ACT Banquet of Champions he received the 2009 ACT Tour Sportsmanship Award. Chip could also be seen every Thursday night at Thunder Road as the crew chief for Rich Lowrey.

Did you know Chip’s…..

….favorite off-season activity is racing R/C cars, which he has been doing for the past 15 years.

….favorite music is alternative rock.

…..favorite team sport is football and his favorite team is the Indianapolis Colts.

….favorite food is homemade stuffed mushrooms.

….favorite vacation spot is a cruise ship to Mexico because he likes the gambling.

….favorite TV show is Sponge Bob. He thinks it’s crazy for a man his age, but he finds it entertaining and relaxing.

….favorite movie is the old version of Death Race 2000 with Sylvester Stallone.

….favorite racetrack is Thunder Road, because its home and his loyal fans are there.

….favorite book is Get Fuzzy.

….most admired racer is Dave Whitcomb.

….favorite racing memory is winning the first Subway 100 in the Tiger Sportsman in 2001 and winning his very first heat race in a Late Model.

If Chip had to put any other driver in his car it would be Ray Stearns because “He’s the man!”

Chip first began racing in 1996. He and a buddy from school built and raced a Street Stock at Thunder Road.

The most meaningful career statistic for Chip is that he has two wins as a crew chief (with Rich Lowrey in 2009) and two sportsmanship awards.

Chip enjoys the traveling aspect of the Tour and the way the drivers race.

Chip doesn’t have a racing memory he would like to forget because he learned from all his mistakes.

When asked who he turns to for racing advice, he answered Pete Duto because Pete doesn’t sugar coat anything.

Chip’s advice to someone trying to get into racing is don’t be afraid to try. Go for it and generally you will find that it’s not as difficult and costly as you thought.

2010 Plans: Chip’s driving plans are still up in the air at the moment. He would like to qualify for the Oxford 250. He does know he will be back at Thunder Road crew chiefing for Rich Lowrey who will be aiming for the title.

Sources: ACT PR

The 41st Annual MacTavish Award was given to New Hampshire Motor Speedway (NHMS) for their contribution to Northeast stock car racing. The prestigious MacTavish Award is named for legendary New England racer Don MacTavish who was killed in 1969 while racing at Daytona International Speedway. In 2010, NHMS hosted the first annual ACT Invitational, which invited 36 of the best Late Model competitors from around the region. It was the showcase event for ACT Late Model competition during the 2010 season.

Thunder Road International Speedbowl crowned Milton’s Jean-Paul Cyr as the 2009 50th Anniversary Season “King of the Road.” The seven-time ACT Late Model Tour Champion took a break from the touring scene in 2009 and set his sights on the 50th Anniversary Season title. He joined forces with car owner Joey Laquerre and crew chief Jeff Laquerre. Cyr used his Times Argus Mid-Season Championship win to beat “Senator” Phil Scott for the championship.

The NAPA Tiger Sportsman title went to Williamstown’s Jimmy Hebert in just his third season. Hebert also scored the first feature win of his career in 2009. The 2009 Tiger Sportsman Tri-State Series Championship was won by Morrisonville, New York’s Shawn Duquette. Duquette tied Jason Bonnett for the title, but used his two victories to win the tie breaker. Veteran Gary Mullen of Tunbridge took the top Allen Lumber Street Stock honors. Donnie Yates of North Montpelier won the Power Shift Junkyard Warriors title.

Over $85,000 plus trophies were awarded to the top teams in all divisions of Thunder Road and the ACT Tours for their efforts during the 2009 season.

The second annual ACT Crew Chief of the Year Award went to John Doiron. Doiron was the crew chief for his son, Joey, who won the ACT Rookie of the Year Award for 2009. John was recognized for his hard work, dedication, enthusiasm and attitude on the ACT Tour and the continual improvement of the Berwick, Maine Doiron race team.

A new award was created this year in memory of Pete Hartt, who covered the American-Canadian Tour and Thunder Road during his time with WDEV Radio and as the sports editor for the Times Argus. The Pete Hartt Memorial Media Award was presented to WCAX sports anchor Seth Leavitt for his support of regional stock car racing.

Troy Germain, “The Voice of ACT” from St. Johnsbury received the Ken Squier Award. Germain was presented the award for his hard work and dedication as the ACT Tour and Thunder Road announcer.

The Gordon R. Nielsen Rookie Achievement Award went to Hyde Park’s Tucker Williams. Williams is the 2009 Allen Lumber Street Stock Rookie of the Year and led the division with four wins. His first career feature win came on opening day of 2009 in his first feature start. Other rookies that qualified for the award were from the ACT Tour, Joey Doiron of Berwick, Maine along with Thunder Road Late Models, Dylan Smith from Randolph and NAPA Tiger Sportsman, Erik Steel of Barre.

Sportsmanship and Most Improved driver awards were presented for all divisions based on driver and official voting. ACT Late Model Tour winners were Chip Grenier of Graniteville for the Sportsmanship Award and Graniteville’s John Donahue for Most Improved. Thunder Road Late Model awards went to Brooks Clark from Fayston for Sportsman and Cambridge’s Craig Bushey for Most Improved. The Thunder Road Sportsman awards were presented to Wolcott’s Brendan Moodie for Sportsmanship and Bradford’s Derrick O’Donnell for Most Improved.

The Ed Carroll Memorial Award for Sportsmanship in the Street Stocks was awarded to Craftsbury’s Mike Martin. The Junkyard Warrior Sportsmanship Award was given to Cabot’s Ken Christman.

The 2010 ACT Late Model Tour season will kick off on Sunday, April 18 at Lee USA Speedway in Lee, NH. Thunder Road will open its gates for the first time on Sunday, May 2 for the 12th annual Merchants Bank 150.

Sources: ACT PR

Huntersville, NC — Thirty drivers from different forms of racing across the United States  will showcase their skills in front of NASCAR executives and officials at the annual Drive for Diversity Testing & Evaluation Combine presented by Sunoco, as they vie for one of 10 spots with Revolution Racing for the 2010 season.

The Combine kicks off the new academy-style development for Drive for Diversity, with 10 drivers competing for the program under a single team ownership structure. The scouting event will take place October 16-20 in Charlotte, N.C., and Motor Mile Speedway in Radford, Va.

“The drivers invited to the Combine will compete for an opportunity to be a part of the inaugural class in the D4D programs new academy-style driver development program,” said Marcus Jadotte, Managing Director of Public Affairs for NASCAR, who oversees the sanctioning body’s diversity initiatives, “As the Drive for Diversity initiative enters its seventh year, the program’s focus on driver testing and training will better position drivers to succeed and advance in our sport.”

“The Drive for Diversity Testing & Evaluation Combine presented by Sunoco is an integral part of the D4D initiative,” said Max Siegel, Chief Executive Officer of The 909 Group. “We are looking forward to this year’s event and are confident the drivers invited to participate in the Combine will raise the bar in terms of talent and competition.”

Since the creation of Drive for Diversity in 2004, 31 competitors have driven for the initiative in NASCAR’s developmental series, winning 35 races. The 2009 driver class combined for six wins, 51 top fives and 125 top 10s. Driver Paul Harraka captured two wins and Rookie of the Year in NASCAR’s premiere development series, the NASCAR Camping World Series West.

The 30 drivers participating in this year’s Combine, including 12 members of the 2009 Drive for Diversity class, will participate in both on- and off-track evaluation over a four-day period. The on-track session will be conducted in NASCAR Whelen All-American Series late models and NASCAR Camping World Series cars at Motor Mile Speedway. Off the track, the drivers will be evaluated during media and sponsor relations activities.

The drivers attending the Combine will also be featured in a television series, “Changing Lanes,” developed in collaboration with the NASCAR Media Group and set to air in early 2010 on BET. The eight-part series will showcase the development of young Drive for Diversity competitors trying to make it in the big-time world of NASCAR racing.

Ten drivers will be selected to compete for Revolution Racing under the Drive for Diversity umbrella in 2010.  Six drivers will compete in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series and four will compete in the NASCAR Camping World Series East.

The following drivers will participate in this year’s Drive for Diversity Testing & Evaluation Combine presented by Sunoco:

• Jorge Arteaga (Houston, Tex.) is currently 11th in the NASCAR Mexico Series standings with three top fives and four top 10s.
• Mackena Bell (Carson City, Nev.), a member of the 2009 Drive for Diversity class, finished eighth in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Super Late Model standings at Toyota Speedway at Irwindale, (Calif.), with one top five and 10 top 10s.
• Jessica Brunelli (Hayward, Calif.) competed in the Modified division at All American Speedway in Roseville, Calif., scoring 10 top fives and 13 top 10s.
• Michael Cherry (Valrico, Fla.) scored seven top fives and 19 top 10s in the Late Model division at Greenville Pickens Speedway in Greenville, S.C., as a member of the 2009 Drive for Diversity class.
• Tiffany Daniels (Smithfield, Va.) joined the Drive for Diversity program in 2009, competing in the NASCAR Camping World Series East for Hamilton Racing.
• Heather DesRochers (Granby, Mass.) competed in the SK Light Modified division at Stafford (Conn.) Motor Speedway. She earned one win, six top fives and seven top 10s in 15 races.
• Phil Dugan (Meridian, Idaho) competed in the NASCAR Camping World Series West for the Drive for Diversity program in 2009, finishing the season 11th in the points standings.
• Cassie Gannis (Phoenix, Ariz.) enjoyed three top-10 finishes in the Late Model division at Toyota Speedway this season.
• Alissa Geving (Penngrove, Calif.) raced in the 360 All Pro Series at Petaluma Speedway, earning two wins and 15 top fives in 15 starts. She also set a track qualifying record.
• Ryan Gifford (Winchester, Tenn.) competed in the NASCAR Camping World Series East in 2009, as well as running dirt and asphalt late model events across the Southeast.
• Katie Hagar (Nobleboro, Maine) set a track qualifying record at Stockton (Calif.) 99 Speedway, driving in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series as a member of the 2009 Drive for Diversity class.
• Paul Harraka (Fair Lawn, N.J.) became the first Drive for Diversity driver to win a race in a NASCAR regional touring division. He finished the season with two wins and seven top fives, and was named the NASCAR Camping World Series West Sunoco Rookie of the Year.
• Laura Hayes (Wilton, Calif.) joined the 2009 Drive for Diversity class, competing in the Late Model division at South Boston (Va.) Speedway. She scored four top-10 finishes this season.
• Sloan Henderson (Franklin, Ohio) earned NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Ohio state ookie of the year honors at Kil-Kare Speedway in Xenia, Ohio with six top fives and 18 top 10s.
• Brandie Jass (Bryan, Tex.) competed at 105 Speedway in Cleveland, Tex., racing in the Lonestar Outlaw Sprinters. She scored eight top fives and 14 top 10s in 18 events.
• John Jones (Mooresville, N.C.) has been competing in the INEX Bandolero Car Series, as well as testing late models throughout North Carolina.
• Rebecca Kasten (Mequon, Wis.) has spent the year racing touring series Late Models throughout the United States. She tallied six top-10 finishes this season.
• Ali Kern (Fremont, Ohio) raced in the Modified division at Sandusky (Ohio) Speedway, finishing third in points with two wins and nine top fives.
• Brea Lopez (Vader, Wash.) finished third in the Limited Late Model division at South Sound Speedway in Tenino, Wash., with one pole, one win, four top fives and eight top 10s.
• Jessica Murphy (Groveland, Fla.) competed in the Super Late Model and Limited Late Model divisions at New Smyrna (Fla.) Speedway this season, earning two wins and nine top fives.
• Sergio Pena (Catharpin, Va.) kicked off his rookie season in the Late Model division at Shenandoah (Va.) Speedway with five wins, before moving over to Motor Mile Speedway in Radford, Va.
• Juan Pitta (Galt, Calif.) earned one pole, one win and 12 top fives in the Late Model division at All American Speedway as a member of the 2009 Drive for Diversity class.
• Megan Reitenour (Miamisburg, Ohio) earned rookie of the year honors for the Late Model division at Tri-County Motor Speedway in Hudson, N.C., as a member of the 2009 Drive for Diversity class. She earned one pole, seven top fives and 16 top 10s.
• Jason Romero (Cameron Park, Calif.) won the track championship in the Late Model division at All American Speedway after winning 11 races this season.
• Natalie Sather (Fargo, N.D.) competed with the Drive for Diversity program in 2009, running in the Super Late Model division at Evergreen Speedway in Monroe, Wash. Sather earned one win and 10 top fives in her rookie season on asphalt, and was the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Washington state rookie of the year.
• Dylan Smith (Randolph, Vt.) was the only rookie to compete full-time in the Late Model division at Thunder Road Speedbowl in Waterbury, Vt.
• Jonathan Smith (Beacon Falls, Conn.) competed in the NASCAR Camping World Series East as a member of the 2009 Drive for Diversity class. He earned two top-10 finishes this season.
• Emily Sue Steck (Holman, Wis.) raced in the Late Model division at LaCrosse (Wisc.) Fairgrounds Speedway. She won three races and had 10 top fives and 14 top 10s this season.
• Trista Stevenson (Pocahontas, Ill.) raced in the United States Super Truck Challenge Series, winning three poles and two feature events.
• Darrell Wallace, Jr. (Mobile, Ala.) competed in 23 late model events, including nine UARA Late Model division events, scoring three wins and 11 top fives.

Sources: NASCAR PR

Graniteville’s John Donahue won the 47^th Annual Chittenden Milk Bowl at Thunder Road International Speedbowl on Sunday, October 4. Donahue’s fifth place finish in the third segment was enough to edge out Brent Dragon by just four points. Dragon went into the third segment as the overall leader after winning the first segment and placing 10^th in the second segment. His tenth place finish in the third segment gave him an overall score of 21 points for the three segment event.

Donahue took the green in the final segment trailing Dragon by just one point. The two fought hard through traffic to get to the front but Donahue got into the open air quicker and made it up to fifth and secured the win with a combined score of 17.

Eric Williams finished third overall with 26 points, followed by Joey Polewarczyk, Jr. (28), Brian Hoar (29), Dave Pembroke (31), Jamie Fisher (31), Nick Sweet (31), Joey Laquerre (34), and Chip Grenier (37) rounded out the top ten.

In the Tiger Sportsman division Shawn Fleury of Middlesex took home his second win of the 2009 season at Thunder Road. His previous win was in the Tiger Tri-State Series 100 back in August. Fleury was followed to the line by Jason Corliss, Derrick O’Donnell, Tony Rossi and Bobby Therrien.

Williamstown’s Jimmy Hebert was crowned the 2009 Tiger Sportsman Champion after point leader Pete Ainsworth finished just one position shy of qualifying for the main event. Hebert recovered from an early spin to edged out Tony Rossi for the title.

Tommy Smith of Williamstown took his third win of the season in the Allen Lumber Street Stocks. Mike Martin, Danny Doyle, Gary Bashaw and Marcus Farnham completed the top five.

Gary Mullen of Tunbridge took the Allen Lumber Street Stock title over Mike Martin after Tucker Williams failed to qualify. Mullen secured the championship after finishing ninth in the feature. With that ninth Mullen finished the year with ten top tens in 16 starts.

Cabot’s Ken Christman took the Power Shift Junkyard Warrior feature win over Keith Fortier and Kevin Streeter. Donnie Yates of Montpelier was crowned the Power Shift Junkyard Warrior Champion even though he did not qualify for the feature. He had a big enough lead over Christman going into the feature that he could not be beaten. Yates had an amazing six wins during the 2009 season.

The 47^th Annual Chittenden Milk Bowl capped off the 50^th Anniversary Season at Thunder Road International Speedbowl. The American Canadian Tour title will be decided next Sunday, October 11 at Oxford Plains Speedway.

47th Annual Chittenden Milk Bowl Results
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Pos      Car #   Driver                          TOTAL

1          26vt     John Donahue             17
2          55vt     Brent Dragon              21
3          7vt       Eric Williams               26
4          97nh    Joey Polewarczyk, Jr.  28
5          37        Brian Hoar                  29
6          44        Dave Pembroke          31
7          18        Jamie Fisher                31
8          88        Nicholas Sweet            31
9          15vt     Joey Laquerre             34
10        9vt       Chip Grenier               37
11        11vt     Jean-Paul Cyr              38
12        14        Phil Scott                     39
13        89        Scott Payea                 40
14        55nh    Brad Leighton             41
15        38vt     Tyler Cahoon               44
16        7me     Glen Luce                    45
17        1          Tony Andrews             45
18        27        Wayne Helliwell Jr.     47
19        73me   Joey Doiron                 47
20        78nh    Quinten Welch            50
21        42vt     Matt White                 59
22        6          Chad Wheeler             62
23        77nh    Mark Hayward             63
24        32        Mike Olsen                  63
25        40vt     Eric Chase                   63
26        16        Joe Becker                   65
27        41        Pete Potvin, III             66
28        8vt       Rich Lowrey                71
29        00        Mike Bailey                 77
30        25        David Whitcomb         85

NAPA Tiger Sportsman Results
Pos      Car #   Driver

1          31        Shawn Fleury
2          61        Jason Corliss
3          68        Derrick O’Donnell
4          90        Tony Rossi
5          4          Bobby Therrien
6          89        Ray Stearns
7          94        Brendan Moodie
8          48        Tom Therrien
9          10        Josh Demers
10        18        Lance Allen
11        37        David Finck
12        06        Jeff French
13        58        James Hebert
14        15        Troy Gray
15        99        Cody Blake
16        04        Eric Badore
17        23        Matt Potter
18        19        #Neal Foster
19        2          John Lambert
20        55        Brian Delphia
21        1          Scott Coburn
22        32        #Erik Steel
23        84        Richard LaFond
24        33        Jason Allen
25        16        George May
26        0          Mark Barnier
27        79        Jason Bonnett
28        26        Mike Ziter

Allen Lumber Street Stocks and Power Shift Junkyard Warrior Results
Pos      Car #   Driver

1          22ss     Tommy Smith
2          01ss     Mike Martin
3          51ss     #Danny Doyle
4          92ss     Garry Bashaw
5          13ss     Markus Farnham
6          68ss     Bruce Melendy
7          83ss     Bunker Hodgdon
8          38ss     Greg Adams Jr.
9          29ss     Gary Mullen
10        30ss     Lloyd Blakely
11        34ss     Timmy Campbell
12        77ss     Dave Whitcomb
13        43ss     #Jamie Davis
14        61ss     Jason Corliss
15        42ss     Tyler Therrien
16        73ss     Vern Woodard
17        2ss       David LaFleche
18        24ss     Marvin Johnson
19        6ss       #Daniel Lathrop
20        4jyw     Ken Christman
21        35jyw   Keith Fortier
22        61jyw   Kevin Streeter
23        87jyw   John Prentice
24        88jyw   Thomas Elwood
25        31jyw   Kevin Wheatley
26        06ss     Michael Moore
27        7ss       Martin Ingram
28        09ss     #Amanda Habel

Sources: ACT PR

Two favorites will start segment one from the front row. Barre’s Nick Sweet starts on the pole after earning the Booth Bros./H.P. Hood Pole award last Saturday. His lap was the fourth fastest to earn the pole since Late Models took over the Chittenden Milk Bowl in 1996. Sweet will attempt to become the tenth driver in the history of the Milk Bowl to win from the pole. It is only his second career start in the prestigious event. His ninth place finish in last year’s event helped him earn the 2008 ACT Tour Rookie of the Year honors.

“I was really surprised. We were just looking for a strong time that would get us somewhere near the front, because last year we were way off,” said Sweet of his pole winning lap. “Now the key is to finish every segment. There are 20 cars in this that could win it. You just have to have better luck and not wreck. We ran 50 lap features all year and the whole Thunder Road season has been building up to this.”

However, the 25 year-old Sweet will have his hands full early as 20 year-old Joey “Pole” Polewarczyk, Jr. of Hudson, NH will be starting on his outside. Pole was just 54 one-thousandths of a second away from becoming the third driver in history with four pole awards and the second with four straight. None of Pole’s pole awards translated into a Milk Bowl win, as his best finish remains third.

While the front row is a demonstration of the youth movement in ACT Late Model competition, they had better keep an eye out for 66 year-old veteran Joey Laquerre from East Montpelier. Sunday will be Laquerre’s 12th career Milk Bowl start, none resulting in a kiss with the cow. The only competitor in the field with more career Milk Bowl starts will be Senator Phil Scott (Sunday will be number 13). Laquerre has been around Thunder Road for all 50 years of its existence and has been winning for almost as long. But the Chittenden Milk Bowl remains elusive. His best finish was ninth, which he earned in his first career Milk Bowl start in 1996. Laquerre will start from sixth position in segment number one on Sunday.

“I think we have a very good chance on Sunday,” said Laquerre. “Winning the 47^th Annual Chittenden Milk Bowl would rank right up there with running at New Hampshire (Motor Speedway), as highlights of my career. I would love to kiss the cow if it means I’ve won the race.”

The 47^th Annual Chittenden Milk Bowl will cap off the 50^th Anniversary Season celebration at Thunder Road International Speedbowl. Pre-race ceremonies will be at 1 p.m. on Sunday, October 4^th, followed by all three segments of the Milk Bowl and features to decide the 2009 Champions of the NAPA Tiger Sportsman, Allen Lumber Street Stocks and Power Shift Junkyard Warriors. 

Sources: ACT PR