O’Donnell Goes For Thunder Road Three-Peat
Barre, VT – Derrick O’Donnell has already made history with his first two championships in Thunder Road’s American-Canadian Tour (ACT) Late Models. He is ready to add to the record books again in 2015, beginning at the season-opening Merchant’s Bank 150 on Sunday, May 3.N. Haverhill, NH’s O’Donnell won his first Thunder Road Late Model Championship in 2013, becoming the first rookie to be crowned “King of the Road.” Last year he was the sixth driver in track lead division history to successfully defend his title. A third championship in 2015 would make him only the second driver to hold the crown for three years running. Chuck Beede previously won three straight Late Model championships in 1992-1994.
N. Haverhill, NH’s O’Donnell won his first Thunder Road Late Model Championship in 2013, becoming the first rookie to be crowned “King of the Road.” Last year he was the sixth driver in track lead division history to successfully defend his title. A third championship in 2015 would make him only the second driver to hold the crown for three years running. Chuck Beede previously won three straight Late Model championships in 1992-1994.
“It would definitely be really important to me,” O’Donnell said of the possibility. “With this pairing up of me and MikelJon (Mascitti, his car owner), we’ve proved that anything is possible. We basically do whatever it takes between him and I. There’s no mountain we won’t climb if it’s going to make us better.”
O’Donnell and Mascitti Brothers Racing have built a new car for the 2015 season, based on a chassis designed by former NASCAR Champion Dale Shaw. O’Donnell started on the car before last year’s season-ending Milk Bowl. He says he has spent 30 to 40 hours a week working on it over the winter in hopes the new mount will bring him a third title and also help him win big events such as the Merchant’s Bank 150.
The team maintained two cars last year, but O’Donnell, who just welcomed his second child with wife Abby, believes this kept them from putting enough time into either vehicle. They will be focusing fully on their new mount this season.
“At this level, you can’t just ride where you’re at,” O’Donnell added. “I’ll be the first one to admit that, even last year and the year before, we knew we could be a lot better.”
A deep field of veterans and rising stars alike will try to beat O’Donnell this year. Barre’s Nick Sweet, the 2010 and 2012 “King of the Road,” finished second to O’Donnell each of the last two years. Sweet led the division with three wins in 2014, including the Vermont Governor’s Cup and the Labor Day Classic.
“They’re a tough team,” Sweet said of O’Donnell. “They’re running really well right now. We’re just trying to keep up with them. We’ve got to try and better ourselves.“
Three-time Bond Auto Tiger Sportsman Champion Shawn Fleury won two Late Model features and finished third in the 2014 standings in his first full year driving for Hallstrom Motorsports. He will now attempt to add a Late Model title to his racing accomplishments. Two-time Champion Dave Pembroke was leading the standings at mid-season last year before a rough second half. He will try to rebound in 2015. Three-time champion Phil Scott will also attempt to bounce back after a tough season.
Established veterans Trampas Demers and John Donahue have battled for Late Model championships in the past and are back to do so again. Young standouts Jason Corliss and Cody Blake all finished in the top-10 in points in 2014 and are capable of making a championship run. Last year’s rookie class of Eric Badore, Josh Demers, and Jason Allen all will return as well and try to knock off the established guard.
The stars of the Thunder Road ACT Late Models will take on the ACT Late Model Tour’s best, including defending Tour Champion Joey Polewarczyk Jr. and defending Merchant’s Bank 150 winner Wayne Helliwell Jr., on Sunday, May 3 as part of the 56th Thunder Road season opener. Saturday, May 2 will see the annual Thunder Road Car Show on Barre’s Main Street, followed by the race car parade up Quarry Hill to Thunder Road and practice for all divisions. The practice session is open to the public. Post time on Sunday is 1:00pm.
For more information contact the Thunder Road office at 802.244.6963, media@acttour.com, or visit www.thunderroadspeedbowl.com.
Sources: Michael Stridsberg/ACT PR