All-Star Line-Up Preparing for Saturday’s Midsummer Classic 250
Waterbury, VT — The biggest American-Canadian Tour (ACT) race of the summer arrives this Saturday, July 31 at North Woodstock, NH’s White Mountain Motorsports Park. The $10,000-to-win Midsummer Classic 250 is drawing the biggest names in the ACT Late Model community as they chase the glory of winning the longest, richest race on the championship schedule.
The all-star entry list includes a flurry of former touring champions, top 2021 contenders, weekly racing champions, and “renegades” from around the region. The largest field in the event’s history could be on hand as it continues to gain status among racers and fans. And the fireworks continue after the racing with a brilliant Northstar Fireworks show that’s sure to please everyone in attendance.
At least six ACT and Pro All Stars Series (PASS) champions will do battle at the 250-lap showdown. Reigning ACT champ Jimmy Hebert of Williamstown, VT, three-time ACT titlist Wayne Helliwell Jr. of Dover, NH, and 2016 ACT champion Nick Sweet of Barre, VT are all confirmed for the event.
You’ll also have Turner, ME’s Ben Rowe and Center Conway, NH’s D.J. Shaw. The duo, who current sit second and third in ACT points, have a combined 15 PASS championships between them. Defending PASS National champion Mike Hopkins of Hermon, ME, the most recent ACT winner, has entered as well.
Plenty of other current ACT standouts are joining this group. There’s ACT point leader Tom Carey III of New Salem, MA, defending Rookie of the Year Derek Gluchacki of North Dartmouth, MA, current top rookies Shawn Swallow and Erick Sands, rising junior Stephen Donahue, and longtime ACT supporter Matt Anderson. Kulwicki Driver Development Program finalist Ryan Kuhn, former White Mountain winner Jesse Switser, teenager Trenton Goodrow, and sisters Reilly and Peyton Lanphear are making the Midsummer 250 the latest stop in their part-time ACT schedules.
Several weekly racers are trying their end at the extra distance, which is five times the length of a normal Late Model feature at White Mountain. Eight-time White Mountain Motorsports Park champion Quinny Welch and two-time Thunder Road champion Jason Corliss are the biggest weekly names confirmed for the 250. Several other White Mountain regulars, such as point leader Jimmy Renfrew Jr. and Midseason Championship winner Jeff Marshall, are anticipated to take a crack at the $10,000 top prize.
Finally, there are the “outlaw” racers who come solely to win. Those include Lancaster, NH’s Jamie Swallow Jr. and North Haverhill, NH’s Ryan Olsen, who have both won White Mountain events in partial schedules. Defending Midsummer 250 winner Dillon Moltz of New Sharon, ME was at White Mountain this past weekend tuning up for the big show. Mark Jenison is making the trip from Warwick, RI while Robby Gordon Douglas will travel all the way from Charlotte, NC where he attends school. Add in the fact that several unexpected drivers always show up at ACT Tour events, and you have a field rivaling any Northeast asphalt event planned for this year.
The event itself is the ultimate test of man, machine, and mind. Teams may use up to eight tires purchased at the track on race day. They can change those tires whenever they please — or not change them at all like Moltz did in 2020. Drivers must make sure their equipment lasts for 250 laps while being close enough to the front for a late-race charge. There will be a fuel-only stop near the one-third mark of the race to remove that element from the equation.
The fast way around White Mountain often changes during an event, so racers must adapt their style and setups. Avoiding trouble — whether of their making or someone else’s — is also a near-requirement for victory. And before all of that, teams must first qualify for the 250-lap feature. With a large car count expected, a starting spot is not guaranteed for anyone. Multiple ACT and White Mountain regulars failed to qualify for last year’s event, speaking to how tough the competition is.
A full card of Wells River Chevrolet Flying Tiger, Woodsville Guaranty Savings Bank Strictly Stock Mini, and Dads 4 By Tool & Supply Kids Truck action rounds out the program. These divisions have been bringing the thrills to White Mountain all summer, making stars out of racers such as Jason Woodard, Shane Sicard, Ryan Ware, Luke Shannon, Tyler Thompson, Thomas Smithers VI, and Logan Farnsworth. On Saturday, they get to strut their stuff on the summer’s biggest stage. If they play their cards right, they may well steal a few scenes of the show.
The ACT Late Model Tour heads to North Woodstock, NH’s White Mountain Motorsports Park for the Midsummer Classic 250 this Saturday, July 31 at 5:30pm. The region’s top Late Model racers are gunning for a $10,000 winner’s prize and more than $47,000 in posted awards. They’re joined by the local Wells River Chevrolet Flying Tigers, Woodsville Guaranty Savings Bank Strictly Stock Mini’s, and Dads 4 By Tool & Supply Kids Trucks plus a dazzling show from Northstar Fireworks. Admission is $25 for adults, $5 for kids ages 6-12, and $50 for a family of four (2 adults, 2 kids).
For more information, contact the ACT offices at (802) 244-6963, media@acttour.com, or visit www.acttour.com or www.whitemountainmotorsports.com. You can also get updates on Facebook and Twitter at @ACTTour.
Sources: ACT PR
(IMG_5713.JPG): Barre, VT’s Nick Sweet is one of six former ACT and PASS champions confirmed for Saturday’s Midsummer Classic 250 at White Mountain Motorsports park. (Daniel Holben photo)
(IMG_4175.JPG): Local legends such as Quinny Welch (#78NH) will take on the invaders from ACT and other tracks around the region. (John Raper photo)