Tigers Open Myers Triple Crown Series this Thursday
Barre, VT — Thunder Road puts the famed Lenny’s Shoe & Apparel Flying Tigers in the limelight this Thursday, July 9 at 7:00pm. The opener of the Myers Container Service Triple Crown Series will pit the division’s best for 75 laps of leaping, pouncing, and roaring as they start the special three-race series.
More than 30 cars are expected to attempt to qualify for the main event, including stars such as defending track and Triple Crown Champion Jason Woodard, current point leader Jaden Perry, inaugural Triple Crown Champion Mike Martin, and 2019 Thunder Road Most Improved Driver Jason Pelkey. The door-to-door battles in the Flying Tigers have already produced some of the best races of 2020. With the stakes even higher on Thursday, the intensity will surely ratchet up in the series that’s popular among both drivers and fans.
“I love it,” Barre’s Cameron Ouellette said. “The 75-lap series is awesome. It adds a different thing for other drivers to come from different tracks. With the series, they don’t have to run a full season to run for points here. They can just come for the series, and it gives them something else to run for and adds more cars to the track. It’s great for Thunder Road.”
For nearly 40 consecutive years, the Flying Tigers have clawed their way around the high banks. Most of the season, they are one of the top support divisions in North America with big car counts and deeply talented fields. But since 2017, the Myers Container Service Triple Crown has put them center-stage three times a year. They’ve more than lived up to the billing and surely will do so again.
The event also will help sort out the early rounds of the season-long championship. Going into Thursday, Hardwick’s Perry leads a tight battle with the top eight drivers separated by just 17 points. Veterans such as Waterbury Ctr.’s Woodard, Craftsbury’s Martin, Colchester’s Sam Caron, and Milton’s Robert Gordon have the upper hand after three events. The younger generation is knocking on the door in the form of Pelkey, Brandon Lanphear, and Cooper Bouchard. Ouellette has been strong as well, siting third in his return to racing following a kidney transplant in 2019.
“There was definitely nothing like jumping right back into it with when the first race you go to is above 90 degrees and smoldering hot out,” Ouellette said with a laugh. “If we were going to be able to do it this year, we were going to be able to tell at the first race — and it went well. So we’re definitely 100% here, and we’re ready to go.”
Alternatively, it could be a fine opportunity for several expected contenders to right the ship. Several top-10 point drivers from 2019, including Tyler Austin, Kelsea Woodard, and Colin Cornell have struggled to start 2020. A strong performance this week would get their seasons pointed back in the right direction.
A full card of action is also scheduled for the Maplewood/Irving Oil Late Models, Allen Lumber Street Stocks, and Burnett Scrap Metals Road Warriors. Another exciting “King of the Road” fight is already shaping up in the Late Models. Opening night winner Marcel J. Gravel holds a one-point lead over perennial title contender Trampas Demers of Shelburne. Hinesburg’s Bobby Therrien, the 2017 track champion, isn’t far behind.
It may not be long, though, before they have Milton’s Scott Dragon and Barre’s Jason Corliss breathing down their necks. The last two “Kings of the Road” both suffered early setbacks but bounced back with a 1-2 finish at the Aubuchon Hardware Holiday Spectacular. While they both still have ground to make up, the duo has shown before that they should never be counted out.
In the Street Stocks, E. Thetford’s Brandon Gray has been the man to beat early. The veteran has a perfect record of podium finishes that includes a win last Thursday. He is currently being chased by two former champions in Wolcott’s Jamie Davis and Barre’s Jeffery Martin. Pittsfield’s Juan “Paco” Marshall and Derby’s Tim Hunt, a pair of third-year racers, complete the top-5.
A new winner is guaranteed in the Road Warriors after the track invoked the “Claim Rule” on Berlin’s Chris Davis following his third straight victory last week. The door is now open for E. Corinth’s Brian Putney, Williamstown’s Sean McCarthy, Williston’s Justin Prescott, and others who have trying to knock it down.
Thunder Road roars to life this Thursday, July 9 at 7:00pm with round one of the Myers Container Triple Crown Series. The Lenny’s Shoe & Apparel Flying Tigers go 75 green flag laps to kick off the three-race summer showdown. The Maplewood/Irving Oil Late Models, Allen Lumber Street Stocks, and Burnett Scrap Metals Road Warriors are also on the card.
Limited fan attendance is permitted with advance ticket sales only at www.happsnow.com/event/Thunder-Road-Speedbowl. Admission is $15 for adults and $3 for kids ages 6-12. For those who can’t make it to the track, a $15 pay-per-view broadcast will also be available on the Northeast Sports Network at www.NSNsports.net/sponsors/racing.
For more information, contact the Thunder Road offices at (802) 244-6963, media@thunderroadvt.com, or visit www.thunderroadvt.com. You can also get updates on Facebook and Twitter at @ThunderRoadVT.
For more about the Northeast Sports Network, visit www.NSNsports.net or follow them on Facebook and Twitter at @NSNsports.
Sources: Thunder Road Speedbowl PR
The stars of the famed Flying Tiger division will be shining brightly in the Myers Container Service Triple Crown Series opener this Thursday, July 9. (Alan Ward photo)>>