Thunder Road Set to Host 56th Thursday Night Opener
Barre, VT ̶̶ The cars and stars of Barre, VT’s Thunder Road Speedbowl are set to host the first Thursday night event of the 2015 season on June 11 with Harvest Equipment Night. The event marks the 56th Thursday opener at the “Nation’s Site of Excitement”, where summer Thursday night stock car racing has been a tradition since the track opened in 1960.
The first Thursday night event of the year will also see the annual Kid’s Rides. Kids 12 and under will have the opportunity to ride along in a Thunder Road Late Model, Bond Auto Tiger Sportsman, or Allen Lumber Street Stock around the high banks.
“I can’t believe that we’re heading into the 56th Thursday night season opener for stock car racing at Barre, VT’s Thunder Road,” track President and Co-Owner Ken Squier said. “Every year seems to prove that the racing just gets better and better. The local racers, the American-Canadian Tour (ACT) talent, and the variety of events keeps Barre, VT living up to its promise as ‘The Nation’s Site of Excitement.’ There simply isn’t better stock car racing anywhere in the United States.”
The Thunder Road Late Models will run their first 50-lap feature of the year after opening their championship chase with the Mekkelsen Memorial Day Classic 100 on Sunday, May 24. Two-time defending “King of the Road” Derrick O’Donnell began his three peat quest with a dominating win in the event. He also finished second in the American-Canadian Tour (ACT) Generation Next 151 at Speedway 51 on May 30.
Milton, VT’s Scott Dragon is already living up to his high preseason hopes. The second-generation racer finished second in the Memorial Day event after a third-place effort in the ACT Tour Merchant’s Bank 150 on May 3. Two-time Late Model Champion Nick Sweet was third on Memorial Day and second in last Saturday’s ACT Tour event at Devil’s Bowl Speedway. Top contenders Dave Pembroke, Shawn Fleury, Jason Corliss, and Trampas Demers will return for another season of racing, while young drivers such as Kyle Pembroke, Jason Allen, and Brett Gervais look to make their mark.
In the Bond Auto Tiger Sportsmen, 2002 Champion “Double-O” Joe Steffen has proved a quick study of the new rules package. The veteran leads the point standings after a win and a runner-up finish in the first two races.
Barre drivers Doug Crowningshield and Christopher Pelkey rank second and third in the standings and have been fast early in the season. Jason Woodard and Brendan Moodie Jr., last year’s top-two drivers, were battling for the win on Memorial Day before a late crash eventually sidelined both.
E. Calais, VT’s Tyler Austin has been the man to beat so far in the Allen Lumber Street Stocks, as he leads the points after winning on Opening Day. Brothers Jaden and Jamon Perry are tied for second in the standings, while Alan Maynard’s top-10 finish streak from 2014 has continued into 2015.
The 56th annual Thunder Road Thursday Night Opener, featuring Harvest Equipment Night and Kid’s Rides, will be this Thursday, June 11. Kid’s Rides will be from 4:00-4:40pm with post time at 6:30pm. Admission is $12 for adults, $3 for kids age 6-12, and $25 for a family of four (2 adults, 2 kids).
For more information contact the Thunder Road offices at 802.244.6963, media@acttour.com, or visit www.thunderroadspeedbowl.com.
Sources: Michael Stridsberg/Thunder Road Speedbowl PR