Weekly Thunder Road Title Chases Begin at Community Bank N.A. 150
Barre, VT — Barre’s Thunder Road emerges from its winter slumber this Sunday, May 2 at the Community Bank N.A. 150 live on FloRacing. While many will be focused on the American-Canadian Tour (ACT) Late Model showdown, it’s also a big day for the support divisions that make Thunder Road racing possible all summer.
The Lenny’s Shoe & Apparel Flying Tigers, RK Miles Street Stocks, and Burnett Scrap Metals Road Warriors all kick off their seasons on Sunday. For the Tigers and Street Stocks, it’s the start of a season-long chase for a championship at the “Nation’s Site of Excitement”.
Another big year is in the offing for the Flying Tiger division. Between Thunder Road and New Hampshire’s White Mountain Motorsports Park, nearly 50 drivers have already registered for the season. The division averaged 30 cars at Thunder Road last year while putting on breathtaking action week in and week out.
There’s every reason to believe 2021 has more of the same in-store. The Flying Tigers have 16 point-counting events in store, which includes the Myers Container Services Triple Crown. That series opens with a 100-lap event at the Mekkelsen RV Memorial Day Classic which is already piling up entries.
Most of the dynamite 2020 class is confirmed to return for at least part of the season. Waterbury Center’s Jason Woodard, who won a record-setting fourth championship, has remained publicly non-committal about whether he’ll chase title number five. The veteran now runs a four-Tiger operation with daughter Kelsea, son Tanner, and family friend Bryan Wall Jr. all planning full 2020 seasons. Should the team start the year strong though, it would surprise no one to see the patriarch in the hunt for another championship.
There are plenty of other title contenders, though. Michael and Stephen Martin, Cameron Ouellette, Derrick Calkins, Sam Caron, and Jaden Perry all had strong 2020 seasons. Each of them was in the title conversation for at least part of the season and could be a factor again.
Three young stars — Brandon Lanphear, Cooper Bouchard, and Kasey Beattie — have graduated to the Late Models. However, a torrent of racers are in line to replace them. This year’s rookie class includes Tanner Woodard, J.T. Blanchard, and Justin Prescott. Brandon Gray and Cooper French will run at least a partial Thunder Road schedule while also competing at White Mountain Motorsports Park. Still other drivers returning to Tiger action after a hiatus, such as Chris Chambers, Travis Patnoe, and Kevin Boutin.
The RK Miles Street Stocks will see another changing of the guard in 2021. Nine first-year drivers are on the roster leading up to Opening Day. Road Warrior graduates Todd Raymo, Trevor Jacques, Tyler Whittemore, Haidyn Pearce, Christopher Davis and others join top sophomores Kaiden Fisher, Luke Peters, Kyler Davis, and James Dopp. Meanwhile, defending champion Brandon Gray has moved up, leaving the door open for a new champion.
Still, the old guard will be ready for those youngsters in a schedule of 17 point-counting events. All-time winningest Street Stock driver Tommy “Thunder” Smith is returning to the ranks. Veterans Jamie Davis, Josh Lovely, Scott Weston, and Juan “Paco” Marshall all have a few tricks up their sleeves. With 30 drivers registered as of this writing, it looks to be a year of growth in the 29th year for the 4-cylinder Street Stock class. Like the Flying Tigers, they’ll be racing on a brand-new Hoosier tire, adding another element that could shake things up.
The Burnett Scrap Metals Road Warriors open a 16-event schedule on Sunday. The division doesn’t race for points, but more than makes up for it in fun. Established Road Warrior leaders Sean “Chubby Rambo” McCarthy, Josh Vilbrin, “Flyin’” Fred Fleury, Nate “Tater” Brien, and Dan Garrett Jr. will show the new class the ropes while trying to grab a few trophies of their own.
More than anything, the Warriors are a division for racers to get experience in full-body stock cars. This year demonstrates that to a tee. Nearly half the registered drivers would be running their first full season in an “adult” motorsports division. On one end of the scope are teenagers Andrea St. Amour, Cole Badger, and Ryan Sayers for whom the Warriors could be the start of a long career. But there’s also people like Ryan Foster, Bill O’Connor, and George Hoyt who are finally getting the chance to race without spending a lot of money.
Thunder Road opens its 2021 season this Sunday, May 2 at 1:30pm with the 23rd Community Bank N.A. 150. The ACT Late Model Tour and Maplewood/Irving Oil Late Models have a 150-lap showdown at the 62nd Thunder road season opener. The Lenny’s Shoe & Apparel Flying Tigers, RK Miles Street Stocks, and Burnett Scrap Metals Road Warriors join them on the schedule.
Admission is $25 for adults, $10 for kids ages 6-12, and free for kids ages 5 and under. All Vermont state attendance, health, and safety guidelines are in effect. The event will also be live-streamed worldwide on FloRacing via their website, mobile app, and most smart TV platforms.
The weekend begins with the annual Car Show on Saturday, May 1 from 9:00am to 12:00pm. Cars will be set up on the track with free admission for fans to get an up-close look. An open practice is slated for Saturday afternoon followed by the 2020 ACT/Thunder Road Banquet of Champions at 6:00pm.
For more information, contact the Thunder Road offices at (802) 244-6963, media@thunderroadvt.com, or visit www.thunderroadvt.com. You can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter at @ThunderRoadVT. For more information about FloRacing, visit www.FloRacing.com or www.FloSports.tv.
Sources: Thunder Road Speedbowl PR
ATTACHED PHOTO [IMG_1131 (Copy).jpg]: The Lenny’s Shoe & Apparel Flying Tigers had a banner 2020 season and are looking even stronger for this year. (Buzz Fisher/Creative Outbursts photo)
ATTACHED PHOTO (tr09062039.jpg): The RK Miles Street Stocks already have 30 sign-ups with more expected by Opening Day. (Alan Ward photo)
ATTACHED PHOTO [IMG_3998 (Copy).jpg]: The Burnett Scrap Metals Road Warriors are bringing their brand of rock ’em fun to 16 Thunder Road events this year. (Buzz Fisher/Creative Outbursts photo)