Lee USA American Racer Three Stars Announced
Waterbury, VT – The American Racer Three Star program will continue in 2016. The program is designed to recognize three teams in no particular order of performance that had outstanding races at ACT US tour events. There are no specific criteria for deciding who might receive the award of a free American Racer Tire (value $125.00), but a special effort by a team, exceptional race, just plain old hard luck, or other accepted reason to give the award is used to decide the recipients.
The three stars are chosen by officials and winners will receive certificates for the use of a free American Racer tire at a future Tour race of their choosing during 2016.
The awarding of the stars does not allow for anybody in the top three to receive the recognition. Again this week it would be difficult not to recognize the outstanding effort, strategies, and excitement that Scott Payea brought with his RPM team victory. Payea joined Wayne Helliwell Jr., Ray Parent, Alex Labbe, Quinny Welch, and Todd Davis who made the 30th opening day at Lee one of the most exciting races during the long history of ACT at Lee USA.
Congratulations to Red, Judy and the entire Lee staff on their 30th-anniversary opener. We at ACT have been happy to be along for the entire trip!
LEE USA SPEEDWAY
NEW HAMPSHIRE GOVERNOR’S CUP 150
ADAM GRAY, Granby, MA– 97MA— The 97MA team ventured out to Lee as a new team with veteran leadership racing in Pro-Stocks, but never in an ACT Late Model. Most veteran racers who take on the challenge of limited horsepower, limited shocks, and limited tires find the ACT cars far more difficult to drive than many other forms of short track racing. Certainly for Adam and his team the practice session on Saturday at Lee was an indication that this was going to be a different experience. As with most new teams there was some frustration, anxiety, and when combined with a very healthy field of ACT veterans, they knew they were in for a challenge. The team worked all day to improve, but Sunday, they really made a statement. Racing in a 32 car field on the fast 1/3rd mile at Lee, in what turned out to be a mostly caution free event (only one caution on lap 46 in the first 140 laps) the 97MA team came to the finish line completing 149 laps, and for a first effort that looked pretty tough on Saturday should be very happy with that result. For the positive attitude and effort over two days, one of the stars of the Lee USA New Hampshire Governor’s Cup 150 is awarded one of the American Racer Star awards.
Congratulations to the Granby, MA team.
EMILY PACKARD, East Montpelier, VT – 9ME, — Another consistent drive for Emily. The 9ME team is not new to earning the American Racer Stars in ACT competition. A year ago they had several great outings and earned multiple stars. Again under a new team Emily is looking like a contender to have a break-out season. A late decision to compete at the Lee USA opener turned out to be a very good decision. Coming off another great run at Oxford a week ago, the new combination of Joe and Joey Pole seems to be clicking out of the starting gate. Emily brought her usual patience and skill to the 150 laps. Late in the race, caught in a three wide sandwich, she powered through the lap to position herself for a solid top sixth place finish. A late race lane with some lapped cars denied her a top five at Oxford, but both events to date have shown a skill set combination that assures that this team is going to be a contender this season. For a second week of great effort, the American Racer Star is awarded to what is now a veteran racer who will return to her home track of Thunder Road this weekend for another 150 lap event.
QUINNY WELCH, Lancaster, NH – 78NH— Veteran independent Quinny Welch took the lead from Ray Parent around the half way point in the New Hampshire Governor’s Cup and dominated the event for the next 30 laps in what looked like a run-away. The 78NH eventually came back to the field and things got very interesting for the former White Mountain Motorsports Park track champ. Although he dropped back five spots, when the final yellow came out on lap 141, the veteran still had some car left and plenty of experience from years of experience of weekly dash racing. Quinny was in the hunt until the end and earned a very respectable 5th place finish. The award goes to this independent team for his early charge and spirited come back when the final laps offered him another chance. It was just a good day at the race track for this team and the affable Quinny Welch. A well-deserved American Racer Star award to the very competitive 78NH team.
For additional information contact the ACT office at 802.244.6963, or visit media@acttour.com, acttour.com, or thunderroadspeedbowl.com.
Sources: Jeffrey Boyce/ACT PR