Goodyear ACT INVITATIONAL Test at NHMS Successful
Loudon, NH — Former American Canadian Tour (ACT) Champion Phil Scott of Middlesex, Vermont was the first American Canadian Tour driver in history to take laps at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon, New Hampshire. Scott, along with veteran Donald Theetge of Quebec City, Quebec, conducted a successful two-day Goodyear tire test in preparation for the inaugural ACT INVITATIONAL to be held at NHMS on September 19, 2009 during the NASCAR Sprint Cup opening Chase weekend.
ACT officials who were present at the test session also gained valuable information as they prepare for the event that will qualify 36 teams during the 2009 race season. Aero packages and brakes were a couple of concerns prior to the test session. Dean Gallison, the ACT Director of Competition was very satisfied with the results. “The aero packages on both cars were very different with regard to bracing and we didn’t seem to have any problems. The cars certainly appeared stable on the race track at speeds approaching 140 mph, and the report was that the brakes held up better than at some of the long fast short tracks that we run on. We will recommend a couple of things to help teams before we have our two-day test and tune session in August”, said Gallison.
Phil Scott said, ” It was really special to be the first ACT driver to ever race at NHMS. I really was pretty comfortable under some cold and wet conditions and our ACT Late Models were a lot racier than I had expected. I was one of the original ACT Late Model guys in the early ’90’s, and I thought how cool it was that we have ended up here at NHMS, fifteen years later. I can’t wait for the INVITATIONAL in September. Now I have to figure a way to win a race to get an invitation.” Donald Theetge, a long-time ACT supporter from the days of the ACT Pro Stock TOUR, and one of the current stars on the Série ACT Castrol in Canada, summed things up at the evening press conference. “For a guy from Quebec short tracks to be able to come to this great race track at Loudon is an honor. I am so excited to have this opportunity. It is a great day for ACT and I am sure there will be many fans from Quebec who will be here to watch us race in September”.
Phil Scott, who is a State Senator from Vermont, could not return on Wednesday to complete the simulated 50-mile race that was part of the Goodyear testing. Thunder Road Champion David Pembroke from Montpelier jumped into the Pete Duto-owned car and ran a consistent 50 laps with a couple of simulated caution periods. “This has been a great thrill and I can’t wait to try and get back here in September. The car felt great throughout the test; I was amazed at how stable it got through the corners. I think we will have a terrific race in September. It was great being on the same track with Jeff Gordon, Kyle Busch, David Regan and David Stremme.” The Cup drivers were conducting a Goodyear tire test along with the ACT teams.
The first team eligible for the inaugural ACT INVITATIONAL will be decided at the season opening ACT Tour event at Lee USA Speedway on Sunday April 19. Post time is 1:00. The Tour will then move “home” to open the 50th anniversary season at Thunder Road in Barre, VT on May 03.
MEDIA REMINDER – ONLY 1 WEEK LEFT TO ENTER THE ACT INVITATIONAL MEDIA CONTEST!
For more information contact ACT office at 802-244-6963, or media@acttour.com.
Sources: ACT Tour PR