Laperle First Entry for CARQUEST Vermont Governor’s Cup
The American Canadian Tour (ACT) defending Champion Patrick Laperle from St Denis, Quebec has entered the CARQUEST Vermont Governor’s Cup 150 on June 25th at Thunder Road International Speedbowl in Barre, VT. Laperle not only won his first ACT US title at the ¼ mile bullring in 2008, but he has a knack for winning the big shows at what many call the toughest quarter mile in America. Laperle is defending Champion of the 2008 Chittenden Milk Bowl, which he also won in 2006.
The challenge to race against one of NASCAR’s greatest drivers, Tony Stewart, who will also compete in one of the most exciting 150 lap events of the season on Thursday, June 25th was just what the JPN Laperle Racing team enjoys. “I can’t wait to race against Tony Stewart. My brother and I are huge fans of his and this is going to be one of my best racing memories. The idea that I can just race and not worry about ACT Série Castrol points or anything like that is what I love to do. I hope we come to the wire side-by-side for the win after 149 laps. It would be the thrill of a lifetime”, said Patrick Laperle.
The unexpected entry by Laperle, who is trying to repeat winning the Série ACT Castrol in 2009 having taken the crown in 2007, will strengthen an already star-studded field of racers who would like to have the record book show they raced and beat the NASCAR Cup Champion. Laperle makes it eight (8) former Thunder Road Champions who will be entering the field of 30 cars for what will undoubtedly be one of the most anticipated events in the long 50-year history of Thunder Road. Joining Laperle will be Kings of the Road: 2008 Eric Williams, 2007 David Pembroke (already a winner at Thunder Road this year by winning the Memorial Day Classic for the second time), 2005, 2004 and 2001 winner Cris Michaud, 2003 Jamie Fisher, three-time champion Phil Scott, the 1999 winner Brian Hoar and 1995 champion Dave Whitcomb who all are expected to try to qualify for the historic event.
Stewart will drive a car that sat on the pole for the 2008 Milk Bowl, prepared by Joey Pole Racing (JPR). Joey Polewarczyk will also field his own ACT Late Model in the CARQUEST Governor’s Cup. He said, “ I just think it will be neat to race against Tony Stewart. We were so happy to be able to supply him with our second car, and now to race against him is unbelievable. He is going to love the crowd at Thunder Road, the atmosphere and the competition, but I am not sure he is going to be any happier about turn 4 than Ken Schrader or Kenny Wallace were over the past couple years. Nobody knows better than me how challenging that place can be, but I love it and hope I can get a few laps of serious racing in with Tony.”
Darla Hartt, the Vice President of ACT and General Manager of Thunder Road said, “Advanced ticket sales have been great since we made them available over Memorial Day weekend. Tony Stewart has held up his end of the bargain with his great run to the front of the NASCAR Cup standings, I am sure our great fans at Thunder Road will come out in full force to watch him take on our regulars.”
Stewart, who owns Eldora Speedway in Ohio, which is one of America’s great dirt tracks, has heard a lot about Thunder Road, and his good friend Ken Schrader has encouraged him to visit the ‘Nation’s Site of Excitement’. “We are going to be proud to show off Thunder Road and her great fans as we believe Thunder Road is one of America’s great asphalt short tracks. We still have lots of tickets available, and although we expect a big crowd, we have additional parking and will have additional rest room facilities…it should be quite a night and it is fitting that Governor Jim Douglas will be handing out the Governor’s Cup…it has never left Vermont over all these years…I hope it is a great race, but as a native Vermonter, I kind of hope the Cup stays in the Green Mountains,” continued Hartt.
The CARQUEST Vermont Governor’s Cup tickets are on sale at advanced discount prices. Adults are only $17 in advance and can be purchased at the ACT office 802-244-6963, or may be picked up at the race track during the first two Thursday night events scheduled for June 11, and June 18.
Sources: ACT PR