ACT Teams Gear Up For Twin State Speedway Tour Event

For Immediate Release           ACT – 070511-37           Waterbury, VT – The American Canadian Tour (ACT) heads to Twin State Speedway this Saturday night for the sixth race on the championship trail for 2011. Four different winners and a couple of podium surprises have made the popular ACT US Tour one of the most competitive in recent years.

 

Seven-time ACT Champion Brian Hoar opened the season with a win at Lee USA in a Chevrolet in April. He followed that up with a win in the RPM team Ford in May at the Devil’s Bowl Speedway in Vermont. The biggest challenger to Hoar so far in the 2011 ACT season has been “Irish” John Donahue from Graniteville, VT. Donahue has compiled an impressive win at White Mountain, second place finishes at Lee USA, and Devil’s Bowl and a third at Thunder Road in the five races in which he has competed. Defending track champion Nick Sweet from Barre, VT won the Thunder Road Merchants Bank opening event, and Oxford Plains winner Jeff White from Winthrop, ME put out an outstanding effort when he took on 40 Late Model teams to win the 150-lap event at the well-known speedway in Maine.   “This is really a dream come true. Now if I can just do it in the Oxford TD Bank 250, I can afford to race for a couple more years!!”, said a jubilant White in victory lane.   Another ACT yearly contender has gotten off to a slow start, but feels things are getting back on track. Brent Dragon, who has the most starts in ACT Late Model history, teamed up with the Avery Motorsports team in 2011. After working out some initial technical problems, the team appears to be getting into championship form.   “We think we are gaining on our program and as we approach the half-way mark, I hope to get a jump start on finishing the season where we can be contenders for wins, and with some luck, run for a top standing in the 2011 points. At least we are having fun and working with the Avery group has really brought some enthusiasm back to our team,” concluded Dragon.   When Dragon was asked about Twin State Speedway, he said, “Twin State presents some unique challenges to the regular Tour teams. The track is tough to get a handle on with the interesting ‘egg shape’…one corner is almost stop and go…the next is sweeping and totally different.”   Dragon is considered a favorite to win the Twin State event based on his run to the front a year ago to contend for the win before he got dumped in the late going.   The Saturday, July 9 event at one of New England’s oldest short track facilities, Twin State Speedway in Claremont, NH, will have a post time of 6:00pm. Admission for Adults is just $15. The race will be 100 laps and over 30 Late Models are expected to attempt to qualify for the 26 starting spots in the final ACT event before most teams will start preparations for the annual TD Bank 250 at the Oxford Plains Speedway on the weekend of July 23-24.     For additional information contact the ACT office at 802.244.6963, www.acttour.com, or media@acttour.com.                                             -30-

 

ACT RESULTS: Jeff White Takes First ACT Win in Big JAB 150 at Oxford Plains Speedway

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                            ACT-060411 Oxford, ME – Winthrop, Maine’s Jeff White earned his first career American Canadian Tour win in dominant fashion at his hometrack of Oxford Plains Speedway on Saturday, June 4. White led all but three laps in the Big JAB 150 while battling with seven time and defending ACT Champion Brian Hoar.

 

Hoar held on for second followed by Brent Dragon, Joey Polewarczyk, Jr. and another Oxford regular TJ Brackett rounding out the top five. Shawn Martin completed the three Oxford regulars in the top ten with a sixth. Wayne Helliwell was the biggest mover in the 150 lap event as he came all the way from 32nd to finished seventh. Eric Chase, Jeff Labrecque, Jr., and 2010 ACT Rookie of the Year Brad Babb completed the top ten.   A total of 41 ACT Late Models attempted to qualify for the 33 car field. The 150 lap event was completed in just 1 hour and four minutes with just three cautions. Twelve of the 33 car field finished on the lead lap.   With his first career ACT win, White also earns an invite to the ACT Invitational at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on Saturday, September 24. He joins Hoar, Nick Sweet, Patrick Laperle, John Donahue and Daniel Descoste on the list of ACT winners that have received an invite so far in 2011.   The ACT Late Model Tour has next weekend off before making its annual trip to White Mountain Motorsports Park in North Woodstock, NH on Saturday, June 18 for a 150 lap event.   ACT Late Model Tour Unofficial Results Big JAB  150 – Saturday, June 4, 2011 Oxford Plains Speedway – Oxford, ME 1. (1) Jeff White, Winthrop, ME, 150 Laps  2. (2) Brian Hoar, Williston, VT, 150 Laps  3. (6) Brent Dragon, Milton, VT, 150 Laps  4. (9) Joey Polewarczyk, Jr., Hudson, NH, 150 Laps  5. (7) TJ Brackett, Buckfield, ME, 150 Laps  6. (8) Shawn Martin, Turner, ME, 150 Laps  7. (32) Wayne Helliwell, Jr., Dover, NH, 150 Laps  8. (4) Eric Chase, Milton, VT, 150 Laps  9. (16) Jeffrey Labrecque, Jr., Rochester, NH, 150 Laps  10. (11) Brad Babb, Windham, ME, 150 Laps  11. (13) #Shane Green, S. Paris, ME, 150 Laps  12. (17) Scott Luce, Strong, ME, 150 Laps  13. (10) #Ben Ashline, Pittston, ME, 149 Laps  14. (5) Tommy Ricker, Poland, ME, 149 Laps  15. (20) Eric Williams, Hyde Park, VT, 149 Laps  16. (30) Austin Theriault, Fort Kent, ME, 149 Laps  17. (12) Tim Brackett, Buckfield, ME, 149 Laps  18. (14) Rick Thompson, Jr., Derby, VT, 149 Laps  19. (28) Jamie Fisher, Shelburne, VT, 149 Laps  20. (27) Chip Grenier, Graniteville, VT, 149 Laps  21. (31) #Dave Farrington, Jr., Jay, ME, 149 Laps  22. (23) Glen Luce, Turner, ME, 149 Laps  23. (21) Randy Potter, Groveton, NH, 149 Laps  24. (26) Jean-Paul Cyr, Milton, VT, 149 Laps  25. (19) John Donahue, Graniteville, VT, 149 Laps  26. (33) Garry Chiasson, Peru, ME, 149 Laps  27. (15) Travis Stearns, Auburn, ME, 148 Laps  28. (25) #Pete Yetman, Peru, MA, 147 Laps  29. (18) Dennis Spencer, Jr., Oxford, ME, 116 Laps  30. (29) Mark Lamberton, Mooers Forks, NY, 102 Laps  31. (24) Corey Morgan, Lewiston, ME, 60 Laps  32. (3) Shawn Knight, South Paris, ME, 43 Laps  33. (22) Miles Chipman, Epping, NH, 43 Laps  Time of Race: 1:04:11 Cautions: 3 (laps 43, 60, 126) Leaders: Brian Hoar, 1; Jeff White, 2-44; Hoar, 45-46; White, 47-150. Heat Winners: Ben Ashline, Brad Babb, Brent Dragon   -30-

 

Thunder Road: Mekkelsen RV Memorial Day Classic Doubleheader

FULL STORY COMING SOON   Thunder Road International Speedbowl – Barre, VT Sunday, May 29, 2011   Thunder Road Late Model Unofficial Results Fin. (Start) Driver, Hometown, Laps Completed 1. (4) John Donahue, Graniteville, VT, 100 Laps 2. (2) Dave Pembroke, Middlesex, VT, 100 Laps 3. (3) Phil Scott, Berlin, VT, 100 Laps 4. (10) Nick Sweet, Barre, VT, 100 Laps 5. (9) Brent Dragon, Milton, VT, 100 Laps

 

6. (19) Joey Polewarczyk, Jr., Hudson, NH, 100 Laps 7. (15) #Jimmy Hebert, Williamstown, VT, 100 Laps 8. (8) Matt White, Northfield, VT, 100 Laps 9. (1) Reno Gervais, Island Pond, VT, 100 Laps 10. (5) Cris Michaud, E. Montpelier, VT, 100 Laps 11. (12) Chip Grenier, Graniteville, VT, 100 Laps 12. (21) Cody Blake, Barre, VT, 99 Laps 13. (16) Jamie Aube, N. Ferrisburgh, VT, 99 Laps 14. (23) Jamie Fisher, Shelburne, VT, 99 Laps 15. (11) Mike Bruno, Rutland, VT, 99 Laps 16. (7) Grant Folsom, Waitsfield, VT, 99 Laps 17. (18) Brooks Clark, Fayston, VT, 99 Laps 18. (14) Joey Becker, Jeffersonville, VT, 99 Laps 19. (20) Eric Chase, Milton, VT, 99 Laps 20. (22) Dave Whitcomb, Essex Jct., VT, 99 Laps 21. (6) Scott Payea, Milton, VT, 99 Laps 22. (24) Brett Wheeler, Waterbury, VT, 98 Laps 23. (17) Ricky Roberts, Washington, VT, 98 Laps 24. (25) Brad Mattson, Graniteville, VT, 98 Laps 25. (26) #Jim Morris, Barre, VT, 98 Laps 26. (13) Mike Bailey, South Barre, VT, 97 Laps 27. (27) Marcel Gravel, Wolcott, VT, 35 Laps Time of Race: 29:32                                         Margin of Victory: 3.86 seconds                 Cautions: 2 (Laps 10, 50)                                                                                Leaders: Dave Pembroke, 1-32; John Donahue, 33-100                                                                   Heat Winners: Mike Bruno, Chip Grenier, Grant Folsom                                                                   Bond/WIX Tiger Tour Unofficial Results Fin. (Start) Driver, Hometown, Laps completed 1. (3) Derrick O’Donnell, Bradford, VT, 100 Laps 2. (2) Eric Badore, Milton, VT, 100 Laps 3. (7) Tony Rossi, Peacham, VT, 100 Laps 4. (10) Joe Steffen, Grand Isle, VT, 100 Laps 5. (6) Joey Roberts, Georgia, VT, 100 Laps 6. (11) Josh Demers, Middlesex, VT, 100 Laps 7. (1) Bobby Therrien, Hinesburg, VT, 100 Laps 8. (5) Mark Barnier, Essex Jct., VT, 99 Laps 9. (14) David Finck, Barre, VT, 99 Laps 10. (15) Mike Ziter, Williamstown, VT, 99 Laps 11. (17) Pete Ainsworth, Jr., Middlesex, VT, 99 Laps 12. (9) Christopher Pelkey, S. Barre, VT, 99 Laps 13. (19) John Lambert, Northfield, VT, 99 Laps 14. (16) Troy Gray, Fairlee, VT, 99 Laps 15. (12) Scott Coburn, S. Barre, VT, 99 Laps 16. (13) Mike Billado, Essex, VT, 99 Laps 17. (22) Jason Bonnett, St. Albans, VT, 99 Laps 18. (8) Shawn Fleury, Middlesex, VT, 99 Laps 19. (21) Brendan Moodie, Wolcott, VT, 98 Laps 20. (18) Bradley Bushey, Fairfax, VT, 98 Laps 21. (4) Mike Martin, Craftsbury Common, VT, 98 Laps 22. (25) Blair Bessett, Worcester, VT, 98 Laps 23. (23) George May, Barre, VT, 98 Laps 24. (27) #Micheal MacAskill, Williamstown, VT, 98 Laps 25. (28) Tucker Williams, Hyde Park, VT, 97 Laps 26. (20) Tim Churchill, Lincoln, NH, 88 Laps 27. (24) Jason Corliss, Danville, VT, 85 Laps 28. (26) Brian Gosselin, Bethlehem, NH, 38 Laps Time of Race: 34:04                                         Margin of Victory: 4.724 seconds                              Cautions: 2 (Laps 86, 89)                                                                                Leaders: Eric Badore, 1-3; Bobby Therrien, 4-42; Derrick O'Donnell, 43; Therrien, 44-49; O'Donnell 50-100.                                                                              Heat Winners: Joey Roberts, Tony Rossi, Josh Demers, Shawn Fleury                                                                      NOTE: Apparent second place finisher Bobby Therrien was penalized to the last car on the lead lap for rough riding.                                                                          Allen Lumber Street Stocks Unofficial Top Ten Fin. Car # Driver Hometown 1. 11 Nick Pilotte, Jefferson, NH 2. 51 Sid Sweet, Jr., Williamstown, VT 3. 38 Greg Adams, Jr., Hardwick, VT 4. 83 Bunker Hodgdon, Hardwick, VT 5. 02 Martin Ingram, Essex Jct., VT 6. 77 David Whitcomb, Elmore, VT 7. 43 Jamie Davis, Wolcott, VT 8. 92 Garry Bashaw, Lincoln, VT 9. 39 Troy Kingsbury, Waitsfield, VT 10. 9 Ron Gabaree, Barre, VT   Junkyard Warriors Unofficial Top Three Fin. Car # Driver Hometown 1. 23 Brock Parrott, Williamstown, VT 2. 68 Jason Woodard, Waterbury, VT 3. 30 Danny Brassard, E. Randolph, VT   -30-

 

ACT PR - Bassett, Five-Star, Racing Electronics and Race Basics Continue ACT Contingency Programs in 2011

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                 ACT-042511-23 Waterbury, VT – The American Canadian Tour will continue contingency programs from Bassett Race Wheels, Five-Star Race Car Bodies, Racing Electronics and Race Basics Chassis for the 2011 season. These four companies provide product certificates for each event on the ACT Late Model Tour and the Série Castrol Edge, as well as contribute to the yearly point funds.

 

Five-Star Race Car Bodies of Twin Lakes, Wisconsin has been working with ACT the longest of the four companies. They started their program with ACT in 1991 and they’ve signed on through the 2013 season. Along with certificates for body parts for each ACT event they also raffle off a certificate for a full body at the annual Banquet of Champions held each January. Concord, North Carolina’s Racing Electronics has been a part of the ACT contingency program since 1992. Not only do they supply certificates at each ACT event, they are also the official radio supplier for the ACT Tour, Série Castrol Edge, and Thunder Road. They supply many of the ACT Late Model teams with their radio needs and attend several events each season with technical support Bassett Race Wheels of Burlington, Wisconsin has signed on for their 13th season with ACT. For over 40 years the company has been building the strongest, lightest, and truest steel racing wheels. Drivers finishing in the runner-up position at each event in 2011 will receive certificates for Bassett wheels. “The American Canadian Tour and Série Castrol Edge are outstanding showcases for our products and we wish to thank ACT racers for making Bassett the most popular wheel in the series,” said Brian Gill, Director of Marketing for Bassett Racing Wheel. Race Basics Chassis and Crazy Horse Racing of South Paris, Maine supply chassis to many ACT teams as well as local racers around the region. As a way of paying back the over 40 Late Model teams they support, they have formed a program with ACT for certificates for any Race Basic Chassis that finishes in the top three for an ACT event and also any chassis finishing in the tenth position for 2011. “Crazy Horse Racing/Race Basics Chassis is excited to participate with the ACT US and Série ACT Castrol 2011 contingency program. This is a great way for us to promote our business and the love of the sport,” said co-owner of Crazy Horse Racing/Race Basics Chassis Judy Green. The American Canadian Tour will be back in action with their second event of the 2011 season on Sunday, May 1 for the 13th Annual Merchants Bank 150 at Thunder Road International Speedbowl in Barre, Vermont. Post time is 1:00pm. -30-

 

Brian Hoar PR - Lee USA race report

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – 4.17.11 For more information, visit www.RPMEnginesVT.com/motorsports or email TbarrettGWC@hotmail.com     Brian Hoar Opens Title Defense With Victory At Lee USA   LEE, N.H. – Brian Hoar of Williston, Vt., earned his ACT Late Model Tour record 29th career victory on Sunday, winning the season-opening NH Governor's Cup 150 at Lee USA Speedway.

 

The victory was the first at Lee for the seven-time ACT champion Hoar.   “It was a great run,” Hoar said. “I've got to thank that whole RPM Motorsports race team. The car was awesome. It really was. It was on rails all day.   “Obviously, it's big to win the (season) opener. I'm pumped.”   After settling into the Top-3 for most of the race, Hoar's No. 37 GossCars.com Dodge took the lead from Scott Dragon on Lap 117 and then held off the hard charge of second-year driver Brad Babb.   “I knew this was one of those long races, and watching (Babb at the end) just proves it. I mean, where did he come from?” Hoar said. “We made some adjustments before the race. It was very cold yesterday (during practice), and it was a lot different today with the sun out.”   Hoar started 18th after winning his qualifying race earlier in the afternoon. He cracked the Top-10 by Lap 16 and was sitting in the fifth position on Lap 32.   From there, the veteran racer was content to ride behind leaders Dragon and Wayne Helliwell until making his move shortly after the 100-lap mark.   “I was holding him back,” said Rick Paya, RPM Motorsports owner and crew chief for Hoar. “He wanted to go and I wanted him to ride. We talked about where we were going to ride, and it was all about strategy. Toward the end there, obviously we didn't have enough for (Babb), but it was enough to hold him off.”   Hoar has now won two ACT starts in a row, including a 100-lap non-points race in the Goodyear Speedweeks Cup at New Smyrna (Fla.) Speedway back in February.   Unofficially, Hoar emerged from the 2011 season opener at Lee USA Speedway with the points lead as he goes for a third straight Tour title and unprecedented eighth championship overall.   “It's very good to win the opener, of course,” RPM Motorsports owner Rick Paya said. “Brian was his old self there. He did a heck of a job.   “Overall, it was a great race.”   --30--

 

Austin Theriault PR: Lee USA Speedway Race Report

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – 4.17.11 For more information, visit www.RPMEnginesVT.com/motorsports or email TbarrettGWC@hotmail.com     Austin Theriault: ACT Late Model Tour Lee USA Speedway Race Report     Austin Theriault of Fort Kent, Maine, finished eighth in the ACT Late Model Tour season-opening NH Governor's Cup 150 at Lee USA Speedway on Sunday, April 17. It was Theriault's best career finish at Lee USA and it came in his Tour debut with RPM Motorsports. Theriault started 23rd after qualifying for the 30-car field through the consolation round and moved into the Top-10 just after the 100-lap mark. Theriault's RPM teammate Brian Hoar won the event.

 

WHO: Austin Theriault, Fort Kent, Maine TEAM: RPM Motorsports No. 57 Varney Insurance Ford   WHAT: ACT Late Model Tour NH Governor's Cup 150 WHERE: Lee USA Speedway, Lee, N.H. (.333-mile oval) STARTED: 23rd FINISHED: 8th   ACT Late Model Tour NEXT RACE: May 1, Merchants Bank 150, Thunder Road International Speedbowl, Barre, Vt. (.25-mile oval)   ********************   AUSTIN, TALK ABOUT YOUR DEBUT WITH RPM AT LEE USA SPEEDWAY.   Coming out with RPM, I know it's a great experience to learn a lot from Brian and Rick. My goal was just to come out with a Top-10. Top-10s lead to Top-5s, and Top-5s lead to wins – but we'll just take it one race at a time. I'm pretty pumped up for the season.   HOW WAS YOUR CAR IN THE MIDDLE OF THE RACE?   There was a lot of side-by-side racing. I was pretty surprised. There were a lot of wrecks, too.   In the middle of the race, you can't really judge your car. It will just free right up, and that's something that we have to learn. Next time we come here, we'll just have to make sure to start out a lot tighter at the beginning of the race.   DID YOU THINK YOU HAD MORE THAN AN 8th-PLACE FINISH IN THE CAR?   We had a pretty good car. We unloaded (for practice on Saturday) and we were decent. We just kept working on it and working on it.   The car just kept getting stronger and stronger. Toward the middle of the race, I thought we had a Top-5 car. We were coming. We passed quite a few cars. But that final caution came out, and the car just got a little too free.   All in all, I'm not disappointed at all. I think we can learn a lot from this experience.   RICK PAYA, RPM MOTORSPORTS OWNER RICK, IT WAS A GREAT DAY FOR THE ORGANIZATION AS A WHOLE.   It's very good to win the opener, of course, and to have both of our cars in the Top-8 was pretty awesome. The first time out for Austin, I think he did a helluva job.   We made a lot of progress with Austin and his team, and our guys are spot on right now. We just picked up where we left off from last year. I'm pretty excited about the year.   --30--

 

BRENT DRAGON PR - Lee USA Speedway Race Report

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – 4.17.11 For more information, visit www.BrentDragon.com or email TbarrettGWC@hotmail.com   Brent Dragon: ACT Late Model Tour Lee USA Speedway Race Report   LEE, N.H. – Brent Dragon opened the season with an 11th-place finish in the ACT Late Model Tour NH Governor's Cup 150 at Lee USA Speedway on Sunday, April 17. After being caught up in a Lap 46 accident, Dragon's Avery Motorsports crew made extensive repairs to the No. 55 Beverage Mart/Furniture World of VT Chevrolet and rallied to salvage a long afternoon. The start was the 187th ACT Late Model Tour start of Dragon's career, tops among all drivers in series history.

 

WHO: Brent Dragon, Milton, Vt. TEAM: Avery Motorsports No. 55 Beverage Mart/Furniture World of VT/Charlesbois Freightliner Chevrolet   WHAT: ACT Late Model Tour NH Governor's Cup 150 WHERE: Lee USA Speedway, Lee, N.H. (.333-mile oval)   STARTED: 4th FINISHED: 11th   ACT Late Model Tour NEXT RACE: May 1, Merchants Bank 150, Thunder Road International Speedbowl, Barre, Vt. (.25-mile oval)   ********************   BRENT, WHAT HAPPENED ON LAP 46?   I don't really know what happened. We got turned around, and then we tore the nose off the car. It still drove good. We drove back up to, I think, a Top-10 finish or close to it.   It tore the front nose cone off of it. It didn't really hurt anything other than that.   IT SEEMED LIKE A FRUSTRATING DAY ALL THE WAY AROUND.   Yeah, a little bit. We had a really good car. I think we could have finished in the Top-5 easy enough.   It started off pretty good. We had a really good car in the race. I was just sort of riding, trying to save some tires for the end of the race, and then we ended up getting turned around. We definitely had a Top-5 car easily, so we'll just have to go get them next week.   --30--

 

ACT NEWS - ACT Issues Post Race Penalty Following Lee Event

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                    ACT-041811-21 Lee, NH – The American Canadian Tour issued a post race penalty following post race inspection after the Lee USA Speedway season opener. Apparent runner-up Brad Babb of Windham, ME was penalized seven positions to drop him to ninth as the last car on the lead lap. The #4ME car was found to have a single unregistered tire on the car.

 

American-Canadian Tour NH Governor’s Cup 150 Sunday, April 17, 2011 Unofficial Results Finish (Start) Driver, Hometown, Laps 1. (18) Brian Hoar, Williston, VT,  150 Laps 2. (25) John Donahue, Graniteville, VT, 150 Laps 3. (16) Fulton Mountain, Barrington, NH, 150 Laps 4. (8) Wayne Helliwell, Jr., Dover, NH, 150 Laps 5. (1) Scott Dragon, Colchester, VT, 150 Laps 6. (2) Randy Potter, Groveton, NH, 150 Laps 7. (23) Austin Theriault, Fort Kent, ME, 150 Laps 8. (5) Karl Allard, Quebec, QC, 150 Laps 9. (30) Brad Babb, Windham, ME, 150 Laps 10. (22) Mark Lamberton, Mooers Forks, NY, 149 Laps 11. (4) Brent Dragon, Milton, VT, 149 Laps 12. (24) Jamie Fisher, Shelburne, VT, 149 Laps 13. (20) Rick Thompson, Jay, VT, 149 Laps 14. (3) Shawn Martin, Turner, ME, 148 Laps 15. (28) Dennis Spencer, Jr., Oxford, ME, 148 Laps 16. (15) Mike Bruno, Rutland, VT, 148 Laps 17. (12) Travis Stearns, Auburn, ME, 148 Laps 18. (27) Ray Parent, Tiverton, RI, 146 Laps 19. (19) Joey Laquerre, E. Montpelier, VT, 143 Laps 20. (11) Jimmy Cormier, Princeville, QC, 115 Laps 21. (14) Pat Floyd, Chester, NH, 101 Laps 22. (13) Chip Grenier, Graniteville, VT, 99 Laps 23. (10) Jean-Paul Cyr, Milton, VT, 76 Laps 24. (6) Craig Bushey, Fairfax, VT, 46 Laps 25. (26) Donald Theetge, Quebec, QC, 46 Laps 26. (17) Joey Polewarczyk, Jr., Hudson, NH, 46 Laps 27. (7) Ricky Rolfe, Albany Twp., ME, 44 Laps 28. (9) Aaron Fellows, Croydon, NH, 40 Laps 29. (29) #Dave Farrington, Jr., Jay, ME, 9 Laps 30. (21) Bobby Baillargeon, Kingston, NH, 3 Laps   Time of Race: 1:16:19 Margin of Victory: .319 sec. Cautions: 7 (laps 3, 9, 18, 28, 44, 46, 115) Leaders: Scott Dragon, 1-18; Randy Potter, 19; Dragon, 20-116; Brian Hoar, 117-150 Heat Winners: Jimmy Cormier, Pat Floyd, Brian Hoar, Travis Stearns -30-

 

ACT NEWS: Brian Hoar Begins Campaign for 8th ACT Title With a Win in the Season Opener at Lee USA Speedway

Brian Hoar celebrates 1st ACT Championship win of 2011 (Leif Titleson photo)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                             ACT-041711   Lee, NH – Seven-time American Canadian Tour Champion Brian Hoar of Williston, VT used patience to win the season opening NH Governor’s Cup 150 at Lee USA Speedway in Lee, NH, his 29th career ACT win. Hoar began the race in the 18th starting position after winning his heat race but earning a 0 in the ACT Plus/Minus handicap system. The veteran moved through the field and ran just outside the top five while saving his tires and his car for a late race run to the front and the win.

 

Colchester, VT’s Scott Dragon started on the pole and led all but 1 of the first 116 laps while battling with Groveton, NH’s Randy Potter and St-Felicien, QC’s Karl Allard early in the race. Multi-time Lee USA Speedway Champion Wayne Helliwell, Jr. was also in the mix running as high as second.   Hoar and Graniteville’s John Donahue seemingly came from nowhere after the final caution on lap 115 to make a run to the front. Hoar took the win while Donahue inherited the runner-up position after apparent second place finisher Brad Babb, a sophomore driver from Windham, ME, was penalized to the last car on the lead lap (9th) for using an unregistered tire.   Fulton Mountain of Barrington, NH would claim third, Helliwell held on for fourth and Scott Dragon faded to fifth late. Potter, sophomore driver Austin Theriault, Allard, Babb, and Mark Lamberton completed the top ten.   Milton, VT’s Brent Dragon managed an eleventh place finish after being involved in an accident with Joey Polewarczyk, Jr. of Hudson, NH and Craig Bushey of Fairfax, VT on lap 46. Polewarczyk and Bushey would retire from the event and settle for 26th and 24th respectively.   The event was completed in one hour and sixteen minutes with seven cautions. Nine cars finished on the lead lap. Hoar becomes the first qualifier for the third annual ACT Invitational at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon, NH on Saturday, September 24.   The American Canadian Tour continues its 2011 season on Sunday, May 1 with the 13th annual Merchants Bank 150 at Barre, VT’s Thunder Road International Speedbowl.   American-Canadian Tour NH Governor’s Cup 150 Sunday, April 17, 2011 Unofficial Results Finish (Start) Driver, Hometown, Laps 1. (18) Brian Hoar, Williston, VT,  150 Laps 2. (25) John Donahue, Graniteville, VT, 150 Laps 3. (16) Fulton Mountain, Barrington, NH, 150 Laps 4. (8) Wayne Helliwell, Jr., Dover, NH, 150 Laps 5. (1) Scott Dragon, Colchester, VT, 150 Laps 6. (2) Randy Potter, Groveton, NH, 150 Laps 7. (23) Austin Theriault, Fort Kent, ME, 150 Laps 8. (5) Karl Allard, Quebec, QC, 150 Laps 9. (30) Brad Babb, Windham, ME, 150 Laps 10. (22) Mark Lamberton, Mooers Forks, NY, 149 Laps 11. (4) Brent Dragon, Milton, VT, 149 Laps 12. (24) Jamie Fisher, Shelburne, VT, 149 Laps 13. (20) Rick Thompson, Jay, VT, 149 Laps 14. (3) Shawn Martin, Turner, ME, 148 Laps 15. (28) Dennis Spencer, Jr., Oxford, ME, 148 Laps 16. (15) Mike Bruno, Rutland, VT, 148 Laps 17. (12) Travis Stearns, Auburn, ME, 148 Laps 18. (27) Ray Parent, Tiverton, RI, 146 Laps 19. (19) Joey Laquerre, E. Montpelier, VT, 143 Laps 20. (11) Jimmy Cormier, Princeville, QC, 115 Laps 21. (14) Pat Floyd, Chester, NH, 101 Laps 22. (13) Chip Grenier, Graniteville, VT, 99 Laps 23. (10) Jean-Paul Cyr, Milton, VT, 76 Laps 24. (6) Craig Bushey, Fairfax, VT, 46 Laps 25. (26) Donald Theetge, Quebec, QC, 46 Laps 26. (17) Joey Polewarczyk, Jr., Hudson, NH, 46 Laps 27. (7) Ricky Rolfe, Albany Twp., ME, 44 Laps 28. (9) Aaron Fellows, Croydon, NH, 40 Laps 29. (29) #Dave Farrington, Jr., Jay, ME, 9 Laps 30. (21) Bobby Baillargeon, Kingston, NH, 3 Laps   Time of Race: 1:16:19 Margin of Victory: .319 sec. Cautions: 7 (laps 3, 9, 18, 28, 44, 46, 115) Leaders: Scott Dragon, 1-18; Randy Potter, 19; Dragon, 20-116; Brian Hoar, 117-150 Heat Winners: Jimmy Cormier, Pat Floyd, Brian Hoar, Travis Stearns   -30-

 

ACT PR : ACT Looks for 9th Different Winner at Lee Opener

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                   ACT-041611-20 Waterbury, VT – The American Canadian Tour will look for its ninth different Lee USA Speedway winner in this Sunday’s (April 17) 2011 New Hampshire Governor’s Cup 150 season opener. No driver has been able to repeat in the eight events held at the 3/8ths mile speedway since 2003.

 

Three of the previous eight winners will attempt to change that fact on Sunday, as seven-time ACT Champion Jean-Paul Cyr of Milton, VT (2005), ACT’s hottest driver at the end of 2010 Joey Polewarczyk, Jr. from Hudson, NH (2008) and defending NH Governor’s Cup winner Miles Chipman from Epping, NH (2010) have all filed entries. But that leaves over 40 other drivers aiming at their first career ACT win at Lee. Seven-time and defending ACT Tour Champion Brian Hoar (Williston, VT) is among them. He has only had two career starts at Lee but has finished inside the top ten both times with a 9th in 2009 and a 3rd last season. A win Sunday would make Lee his 12th different track with an ACT victory. Two veteran ACT competitors will attempt to break into victory lane and earn their first career top fives at the speedway. Milton, VT’s Brent Dragon and Shelburne, VT’s Jamie Fisher are the only two drivers to start all eight events at Lee, but neither has cracked the top five. Fellow veterans Mark Lamberton of Mooer’s Forks, NY and Joey Laquerre of East Montpelier, VT are among only 10 drivers with multiple top fives in ACT Lee competition. Lamberton earned back to back top fives in 2005 and 2006 including a podium finish. Laquerre picked up his second 5th place effort in the 2010 NH Gov. Cup. Wayne Helliwell, Jr. of Dover, NH leads the way for former Lee regulars as the multi-time track champion. Helliwell claimed nine feature wins at Lee in 2010 and earned a career best 6th in the ACT visit. He’ll be closely followed by Rochester, NH’s Jeffrey Labrecque, Jr. who turned a lot of heads with his own career best ACT, finish as the NH Governor’s Cup runner-up in 2010. Several drivers from the Série Castrol Edge will make their trip across the border for the season opener. 2010 Série Castrol Edge Champion Karl Allard of St-Felicien, Quebec will attempt to make his first start at the speedway. He will be joined by fellow Castrol Edge Champion (2006, 2009) Donald Theetge of Quebec City, QC, who has two career ACT starts at Lee. Also making the trek south are Quebecers Yvon “The Bullet” Bedard of St-Nicolas and Princeville’s Jimmy Cormier. The 2011 ACT Tour season is set to kick off this Sunday, April 17 with the New Hampshire Governor’s Cup 150 at Lee (NH) USA Speedway. General admission gates will open at 10:00am with post time at 1:00pm. -30-

 

ACT PR : LEE GOVERNOR'S CUP BRINGS OUT THE BEST OF ACT TEAMS

For Immediate Release                                        ACT – 041211-18           Waterbury, VT – Everybody likes opening days in any sport. The American Canadian Tour (ACT) Late Model teams are no different. It doesn’t matter if you are running for points or not, new teams and veteran teams all look forward to opening a new race season.

 

The list of entrants for the ACT opening event at the Lee USA Speedway New Hampshire Governor’s Cup 150 is long and impressive. Upwards of fifteen new teams will experience their first opening day race with ACT in 2011. The returning corps of veteran championship teams is deep and come from a diverse section of northern weekly and touring facilities.   “Things have certainly changed since we all started this Late Model thing back in the mid-nineties. It was really an off-shoot of Thunder Road and Airborne teams with an occasional ‘outsider’ joining us in the beginning,” said 7-time ACT Champion Brian Hoar from Williston, VT. “Today, we have teams from nearly every state in New England and a couple provinces of Canada, many of whom have won various championships in their careers. What is really neat is the quality of the new teams that seem to join us each year. Seeing so many new faces at this past February’s New Smyrna Speedway races was an indication that there is a lot of interest in ACT Late Model racing. It is an exciting thing to be a part of,” concluded Hoar.   Sunday, April 17, 2011 will have the following past tour, series and track champions bidding for a starting spot in the opening event of 2011:   Jamie Fisher             Shelburne, VT           Thunder Road Champion Wayne Helliwell, JR    Dover, NH               Lee USA Champion Jean Paul Cyr           Milton, VT                ACT 7x Champion Brian Hoar               Williston, VT             ACT 7x Champion Donald Theetge        Quebec City, QC       Serie ACT Castrol Champion Ricky Rolfe              Albany Twnshp, ME  Oxford Plains LM and Pro Stock Champion Brent Dragon           Milton, VT                Airborne Champion Quinny Welch           Lancaster, NH          White Mountain Champion JR Baril                   Haverhill, MA            Lee USA Champion Mark Lamberton       Moors Forks, NY       Airborne Champion   The list of top contenders to grab the checkers on opening day gets even more impressive when you add in Joey Polewarczyk, Jr. (Pole), Hudson, NH; John Donahue, Graniteville, VT; Glen Luce, Turner, ME; Randy Potter, Groveton, NH; and Joey Laquerre from Barre, VT.   Over forty (40) teams are expected to attempt to qualify for the annual lid-lifter for the American Canadian Tour at the Lee USA Speedway on Sunday, April 17, 2011. In the eight previous events held at Lee, there have been no repeat winners. Miles Chipman who raced Lee on a regular basis in 2010 is the defending champion of the New Hampshire Governor’s Cup event.   The hottest driver in ACT competition, Joey Pole (2008 winner) said, “I really want to be the first repeat winner and keep my momentum up from the end of last year.” [Pole won the New Hampshire ACT Invitational, the People’s Bank Milk Bowl, the finale at Waterford Speedbowl last October, and the Goodyear Cup at the New Smyrna Speedway during Speedweeks at Daytona this past February.]             “When Miles (Chipman) won last year it really sent a message that weekly guys from all the tracks we visit have become very competitive against those of us that only get to race at tracks once or twice a year. Also, this year there are a lot of very good new teams that have joined the tour. Once they get used to tour-type racing, the competition is going to get tougher and tougher. A win at Lee will really help our team get focused on our primary goal which is to win the ACT title this year. It would be a dream come true to beat guys like Brian (Hoar) and Jean (Cyr), but really there should be at least six or eight teams that will be in the hunt for the championship this year. I can’t wait to get started and I know how important an opening day win can be toward our goal of winning the ACT title,” concluded Pole.   The opening of the 2011 season will take place on Sunday, April 17, 2011 at the Lee USA Speedway in Lee, NH. Gates open at 10:00pm and post time is scheduled for 1:00.       For additional information contact the ACT office at 802.244.6963, www.acttour.com, or media@acttour.com.                                             -30-

 

ACT PR: ACT OPENER AT LEE TO HAVE PLENTY OF NEW NAMES

NEW HAMPSHIRE’S MILES CHIPMAN TO DEFEND TITLE   For Immediate Release                                        ACT – 040811-17           Waterbury, VT – The officials at the American Canadian Tour (ACT) based in Waterbury, VT have seen the largest influx of new teams to begin the 2011 season in its history.

 

“This is a good sign that things are improving in spite of the recessionary issues we have been facing over the past couple years. Also, just as in 2008, the spike in the price of fuel apparently does not seem to be having much effect with the enthusiasm to get the season open. We actually think we might have benefitted during the 2008 fuel increase, as many fans attended the regional and weekly short tracks, rather than taking expensive, long distance vacation trips,” said Tom Curley, President of the American Canadian Tour.   Over 40 race teams have entered the opening New Hampshire Governor’s Cup event on Sunday, April 17, 2011, including defending Governor’s Cup winner Miles Chipman, from Epping, NH. Chipman stunned the ACT regulars with an impressive win at his home track a year ago. Along with the familiar stars of the ACT, there are many new teams that will be racing the popular Late Model cars during the 2011 campaign.   “We have had entries from a couple of former NASCAR Busch East drivers, Mike Bruno, from Rutland, VT and Tom Carey Jr., from New Salem, MA. Former Lee regulars JR Baril, Jeffrey Labreque Jr., and Katrina Canney have all filed entries for the Governor’s Cup event. Rookie drivers Kyle DeSouza from Fairhaven, MA, the 2010 Devil’s Bowl Speedway champion Hunter Bates from Pittsford, VT, and Daniel Khilall, a youngster, but seasoned quarter midget driver from Jersey City, NJ will race his first ACT event at Lee USA,” said Nick Bigelow, Media Director and statistician for ACT.   The state of Maine will send two successful veteran teams to Lee. Dennis Spencer Jr. from Oxford and Shane Green from neighboring South Paris both plan to run the full ACT US schedule beginning at Lee USA.   Ray Parent from Tiverton, RI, a former Pro Stock racer at the Seekonk Speedway, and Peter Yetman, former Thompson, CT Late Model racer from Peru, MA will each make their second ACT appearances at the opening event. Parent and Yetman were two of the twenty-eight teams to travel to New Smyrna Speedway during Daytona Speedweeks to compete in the first ever Florida visit by the ACT Late Models last February. Quebec City veterans Donald Theetge and Yvon ‘The Bullet’ Bedard will also make Lee their first official event of 2011, having competed in the Goodyear Cup race at New Smyrna along with Parent. Aaron Fellows from Croydon, NH will join half the Florida field of racers to get his northern racing underway for 2011.   “This just might be the largest opening day field of cars we have had at Lee. It certainly is the most diverse mix of racers from throughout the region we have ever seen at an opening event. The number of new teams that will compete in weekly and touring events this season is a gratifying tribute to the teams, promoters, and officials who have helped develop ACT Late Model racing in the region over the past decade. If the results at Lee are anything close to how exciting the racing was in Florida it will be a great way to start the 2011 season,” said Curley.   The winner of the Governor’s Cup will also win the first coveted spot for the ACT Invitational at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway, which will take place during the NASCAR ‘Chase’ weekend September 16-18, 2011. The gates open for the Lee USA Governor’s Cup at 10:00 and post time for 150 green flag laps is 1:00 pm.     For additional information contact the ACT office at 802.244.6963, www.acttour.com, or media@acttour.com.                                             -30-