THUNDER ROAD: Donahue, O'Donnell Take Mekkelsen RV Memorial Day Classic Doubleheader Wins

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                              TR-052911 Barre, VT – Graniteville’s John Donahue and Bradford’s Derrick O’Donnell claimed wins in Mekkelsen RV Memorial Classic doubleheader at Thunder Road International Speedbowl in Barre, VT on Sunday, May 29. Donahue, a former Milk Bowl champion and four time winner at Thunder Road in 2010, claimed the Late Model 100 lap feature win.

 

Donahue fought his way past Middlesex’s Dave Pembroke in a battle of two Fords on lap 33. The two battled hard for the first 32 laps with Donahue trying everything he could to get by leader Pembroke before finally gaining the edge. Donahue would lead the rest of the way for the most part uncontested.   Pembroke held off Vermont Lt. Governor Phil Scott to take second. Scott, 2010 King of the Road Nick Sweet and Brent Dragon rounded out the top five. Joey Polewarczyk, Jr., rookie Jimmy Hebert, Matt White, Reno Gervais and Cris Michaud completed the top ten.   Donahue lapped all but the top 11 cars of the 27 car field. The 100 lap event was completed in just 29 minutes and saw just two cautions.   Derrick O’Donnell earned his second win of the season in the first two events at Thunder Road. O’Donnell followed up his opening day win on May 1 with a win in the Bond/WIX Tiger Tour season opening Mekkelsen RV Memorial Day 100. The Bradford native took the lead from leader Bobby Therrien to lead the final 50 laps without a challenge.   Therrien would hold on for what appeared to be a second place finish before being penalized for rough riding. He was dropped to the final car on the lead lap in seventh. Eric Badore inherited second, while 2010 Bond Auto Tiger Sportsmen Champion Tony Rossi took third. Joe Steffen and Joey Roberts completed the top five.   Josh Demers, Therrien, Mark Barnier, David Finck and Mike Ziter completed the top ten. O’Donnell managed to lap all but the top seven cars as the 100 lap event saw just two cautions. The race took just over 34 minutes to complete. A total of 37 cars attempted to qualify for the first of five Bond/WIX Tiger Tour events to be held in 2011. The starting grid had 28 cars.   The Allen Lumber Street Stocks saw Jefferson, NH’s Nick Pilotte, a former White Mountain Motorsports Park Champion, earn his first career win at Thunder Road. Sid Sweet, Jr., Greg Adams, Bunker Hodgdon and Martin Ingram all claimed top fives.   Williamstown’s Brock Parrott earned the win in the Junkyard Warriors. He was followed to the line by Jason Woodard and Danny Brassard.   Thunder Road has the next two weeks off before its first Sunday twilight event on Sunday, June 12. All four divisions will be in action for a regular event presented by Ferguson Waterworks. The event will also feature the New England Antique Racers.   Mekkelsen RV Memorial Day Classic Doubleheader 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-

 

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-

 

Thunder Road PR : SWEET TO DEFEND THUNDER ROAD TITLE AND MERCHANTS BANK OPENER

 

 

For Immediate Release                                                ACT – 041411-19           Waterbury, VT – Every hometown needs sports heroes. Barre, VT is a sports town. The “Granite Capital of the World” is a blue collar town with master craftsmen making a living working with huge slabs of granite, which their neighbors have hauled deep from inside Quarry Hill that looks over the city below.

 

For over fifty years, racing at Thunder Road International Speedbowl has been part of the fabric of this town and region. The latest local hero to follow in the tradition of local and regional heroes like Stub Fadden, Ronnie Marvin, Roy ‘Pappy’ Forsythe, Harold ‘Hardluck’ Hanaford, the Dion Brothers, Joey Laquerre and dozens more is another local kid, Nick Sweet, from Barre.   Sweet came through the Thunder Road system with remarkable success. He was awarded the Rookie of the Year honors in all levels he competed in, including the 2003 Allen Lumber Street Stock division, and the 2005 Tiger-Sportsman division, considered by many to be the most competitive division in weekly short track racing, where he also earned the Thunder Road track title in 2007.  In 2008 he moved to the region’s most successful touring series, the American Canadian Tour (ACT), and won the Rookie of the Year.   His Saint J Auto team followed what seems to be a three-year success pattern by winning the Thunder Road “King of the Road” title in 2010. It was one of the most hotly contested battles for a title in the 51-year history of the track. Entering the final event of the 2010 season, Sweet held off two former Thunder Road Champions, Phil Scott (1996, 1998, and 2002) and David Pembroke (2007) to win the title by just 6 points.   “I think Nick (Sweet) has a very good chance to repeat in 2011,” said seven-time ACT Champion and 2009 Thunder Road Champion, Jean Paul Cyr from Milton, VT. “At Thunder Road you have to have a lot of trust and respect, Nick has earned and given both. That is a big key to winning at that track. Getting around people on the outside is critical, and he does that as well as anyone. I would race him anywhere, anytime. He does not get rattled, he takes what the track and race gives him, and I think he is one of the most well-rounded racers in short track racing today”, Cyr said.   Sweet scored his first-ever ACT Late Model win in the traditional Merchants Bank 150 opening event at Thunder Road in 2010. It was an ACT point event and not a point-counting Thunder Road race. “It was great to win the opener at the ‘Road last year and gave us some great momentum going into the season. We really wanted to give our sponsor, Saint J Auto maximum exposure last season, and that was a good way to start. I guess winning the title at Thunder Road was also a pretty good way to finish,” said the always humble Nick Sweet.   The thirteenth (13th) annual Merchants Bank 150 will have a huge field of past champions. The driver of the Merchants Bank Ford entry is three-time Thunder Road Champion, Cris Michaud from Northfield, VT.   “First, I would really like to win my sponsor’s race. Next, I would really like to beat Nick Sweet for the 2011 Thunder Road title, but his team is just plain old school and hard working. They are tough. His dad Shayne is meticulous in preparation. Nick has become one of the best drivers to race against at Thunder Road. We struggled with our new Ford program last year, and I really had a tough season not being in contention for the title. We think we have solved our problems during the off-season and I am excited to get started again,” said Michaud.   “I think there will be as many as five serious contenders for the Thunder Road title this year and there are also going to be some interesting additional teams coming back to Thunder Road this summer. It should be fun and sure looks like it is going to be different than the last couple years. I can’t wait,” concluded Michaud.   Thunder Road opens for the 52nd season with the downtown Barre car show and unique race car parade up Quarry Hill to officially open the 2011 race season on Saturday, April 30 from 9am to noon.  Fans are invited to watch that afternoon’s practice at no charge, and then return Sunday, May 1st for the 13th annual Merchants Bank 150. Gates will open at 10am, Class Day will be presented at 1:00, and post time for the second event of the 2011 ACT US Tour season is 1:30. Admission is just $18 for Adults and kids 6-12 just $5. A family pass for $36 for four people will be available.   For additional information contact the ACT office at 802.244.6963, www.acttour.com, or media@acttour.com.                                             -30-

 

ACT/Thunder Road Announces Nominees for Special Awards at 2010 Banquet of Champions

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                             ACT-012011-07 Waterbury, VT – The American Candian Tour (ACT) and Thunder Road International Speedbowl have announced the nominees for the special awards to be handed out this Saturday, January 22 during the 2010 Banquet of Champions ceremony at the Sheraton-Burlington Hotel and Conference Center in South Burlington. Over 400 teams, fans and officials will be in attendance for the celebration.

 

As in years past, the Most Improved Driver Award and the Sportsmanship Award winners will be selected by votes from their fellow drivers and ACT/Thunder Road officials. The top four nominees for each award have been determined. Also the top five finalists for the Dr. Gordon R. “Doc” Nielsen Rookie Award have been selected. The “Doc” Nielsen Rookie Award is presented to the most outstanding rookie competitor each year. Past winners include Thunder Road Late Model Champions Jamie Fisher and Nick Sweet, as well as former Street Stock Champion and current Tiger Sportsmen competitor Bobby Therrien. This year’s finalists include ACT Late Model Tour Rookie of the Year Brad Babb of Windham, Maine, and fellow ACT rookie Austin Theriault of Fort Kent, Maine. All three Thunder Road Rookie of the Year winners have also been nominated. Bond Auto Tiger Sportsmen and former Street Stock Champion Jason Corliss of Danville, is joined by Street Stocker Thomas Placey of Bradford, and in the Late Models second generation driver from Barre, Cody Blake. The ACT Late Model Tour Sportsmanship Award nominees include three veterans: Brent Dragon of Milton, Randy Potter of Groveton, New Hampshire and Mark Lamberton of Mooers Forks, New York, as well as second year driver Jeff Zuidema of North Brookfield, Massachusetts. The ACT Most Improved Driver Award has come down to rookie Dave Paya of Milton, first time ACT winner in 2010 Mark Hayward of Newport, New Hampshire, and 2010 full-time competitor Mark Hudson of Norton, Massachusetts. They will be joined by Zuidema who was also among the top nominees. Finalists for the Thunder Road Late Model Sportsmanship Award are 2010 Champion Nick Sweet of Barre, former “King of the Road” Dave Pembroke of Montpelier, veteran Rich Lowrey from Charlotte, and Fayston’s Brooks Clark, who earned the 2009 Sportsmanship Award. The Late Model Most Improved Driver Award will be decided between Northfield’s Matt White, Barre’s Mike Bailey, former Tiger Champion Reno Gervais of Island Pond and Brooks Clark. The Bond Auto Tiger Sportsmen Sportsmanship Award finalists are Milton’s Eric Badore, Williamstown’s Mike Ziter, Barre’s Dave Finck and former champion Shawn Fleury of Middlesex. They have also elected Eric Badore for the Most Improved Driver finalists, as well as Barre’s George May, Worcester’s Jeff Bousquet, and Nielsen Award nominee Jason Corliss. The Allen Lumber Street Stocks have selected West Topsham’s Tim Campbell, Hardwick’s Greg Adams, Montpelier’s Donny Yates, and Wolcott’s Jamie Davis as their Sportsmanship finalists. The top vote getters in the Junkyard Warriors Sportsmanship Award running are Kevin Wheatley of Williamstown, Barre’s Kevin Dodge, Northfield’s George Sanders, and the 2010 Champion Ken Christman of Cabot. The 2010 ACT/Thunder Road Banquet of Champions is this Saturday, January 22 at the Sheraton-Burlington Hotel and Conference Center in South Burlington, Vermont. -30-

 

 

 

PHOTO ALBUM & Highlights: 2010 Milk Bowl

Joey Polewarczyk a remporté la 48e édition du Milk Bowl, une course à 3 étapes de type monza, disputée à la piste de Thunder Road Speedbowl le 3 octobre.   Pilotant des voitures ACT Late Model, 61 participants ont tenté de se tailler une place dans la course de 50-75-75 tours avec positions inversées.   Les positions 1-24 ont été déterminée par temps chronométrés et par des courses de quailfication, tandis que les positions de 25 à 30 ont été déterminée par une course B-feature et un choix ACT (meilleur non qualifié ACT 100%)

Joey Polewarczyk won the 48th annual Milk Bowl, a monza style 3 segment race, held at Thunder Road Speedbow on October 3rd.   Driving ACT legal Late Models 61 participants attempted to qualify for the 50-75-75 laps segment inverted start race.   Positions 1-24 were set via time trials and qualification races, while 25 to 30 were set by a B-feature and an one provisional (best non qualified ACT 100% competitor).

 

Joey Polewarcyk qui vient de remporter l’épreuve au New Hampshire Motor Speedway a fait le 2e meilleur temps chronométré avec un 13.023.   Le meilleur temps a été tourné par le Champion ACT 2010 Brian Hoar.  Le seul Canadien a s’être taillé une place dans la finale a été Patrick Laperle qui a tourné un 13.131.   Polewarzyck a remporté le premier segment et a terminé 7e et 4e dans les deux autres segment pour un total de 12 points.   Hoar a terminé deuxième avec des finish de 2, 13 et 5 pour un total de 20.   La troisième place est allé au vainqueur de l’an dernier, John Donahue, qui a terminé 3, 9 et 8 pour un total de 20.   Le bris d’égalité a été brisé par la position de fin du dernier segment.   Le deuxième segment a été remporté par Pete Potvin III, qui en était dans sa dernière course à Thunder Road avant de se relocaliser en Floride.   Le troisième segment a été remporté par le multiple Champion ACT Jean-Paul Cyr.   Le québécois Patrick Laperle n’a pu faire mieux qu’une 6e place avec des résultats de 8, 11 et 11 pour un combiné de 30.  Considérant la performance de sa voiture dans le premier segment, l’accident dans le 2e segment.  Laperle et sont équipe ont sauvé la journée… mais c’est tout de même bien loin de l’objectif : la victoire d’un 4e milk bowl.   Trois autres pilotes du Québec ont tenté de se qualifier dans l’épreuve prestigieuse : Yvon Bédard, Daniel Bergeron et la recrue ACT Castrol Alex Labbé.   Labbé qui a tourné le 24e meilleur temps est venu le plus près de se tailler une place.  Malheureusement il a été impliqué dans un tête-à-queue qui là replacé à la queue du peloton, A ce moment il était à une position de se qualifier, repositionné à l’arrière et seul avec son rêve de participer dans son premier Milk Bowl.

Joey Polewarcyk hot off a New Hampshire Motor Speedway win turned 2nd fastest time trial to secure his way in the main event with a lap time of 13.023.   Quickest time, a 13.001, was turned by ACT 2010 Champion Brian Hoar.  While the only Canadian competitor to secure his way into the main event was turned by Patrick Laperle with a 13.131.   Polewaryzyck won the first segment and finished 7th and 4th in the later two segments for a total combined score of 12.   Second place went to Hoar who scored 2, 13 and 5 for a total of 20.   Third place went to last year’s winner John Donahue who scored 3, 9 and 8 for a total of 20.    The tie between Hoar and Donahue was broken by virtue of the last segment finishing order.   Second segment was won by Pete Potvin III, who was competing in his last race at Thunder Road before moving to Florida.   Third segment was won by multi-time ACT Champion Jean-Paul Cyr.   Quebec’s Patrick Laperle could not do better than a 6th place overall with segment scores of 8, 11 and 11.  Considering the handling of his car in segment 1, the crash in segment 2.  Laperle and crew salvaged a bad day... but short – by  a ton - of his 4th Milk bowl win.   Three other Quebec drivers attempted to qualify for the prestigious event: Yvon Bédard, Daniel Bergeron and ACT Castrol rookie Alex Labbé.   Labbé who turned 24th fastest time came closest to make the field.  Unfortunately he was involved in a spin and wreck, at the time he was one spot from being qualified, which sent him to the back of the field and with only a dream of racing his way into his first Milk Bowl.

 

Thunder Road: Joey Polewarczyk, Jr. Wins 48th Annual People's United Bank Milk Bowl

Rossi, MacAskill and Christmam Earn Thunder Road Championships FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                 ACT-100310 Barre, VT – Hudson, New Hampshire’s Joey “Pole” Polewarczyk, Jr. earned his second big American-Canadian Tour win in a month at the 48th Annual People’s United Bank Milk Bowl at Thunder Road International Speedbowl in Barre, VT. Pole, who won the second annual ACT Invitational at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in September, won the first 50-lap segment of the Milk Bowl after missing his fourth career pole award by just 22 one-thousandths of a second. He completed his win by finishing seventh and fourth respectively in the final two 75-lap segments. Pole’s win earned him a check of over $10,000 in the non-point counting event.

 

Pole sitter Brian Hoar held the lead at the beginning of the third segment as he sped his way through to the front while Pole was stuck in heavy traffic. Once the traffic cleared Pole methodically worked his way to the front and eventually got around Hoar to seal the win with a combined 12 points. Hoar would use his third segment finish of fifth to claim second after a tie breaker with last year’s Milk Bowl Champion John Donahue, who claimed third. The two both finished with 20 points but Hoar’s better finish in the final segment earned him the spot. Brent Dragon and Joey Laquerre completed the top five, while Patrick Laperle, Eric Williams, Dave Pembroke, Jamie Fisher and Ben Rowe rounded out the top ten. The three segments were won by Pole, Pete Potvin, and Jean-Paul Cyr. The Bond Auto Tiger Sportsmen completed their 2010 season with a 50 lap main event. Bradford, VT’s Derrick O’Donnell picked up his third win of the season, while Tom Therrien, Mike Ziter, Eric Badore and Troy Gray completed the top five. Tony Rossi of Peacham, VT used his sixth place finish to earn the 2010 Bond Auto Tiger Sportsmen track championship. The Allen Lumber Street Stocks also concluded their championship season with Williamstown, VT’s Mike MacAskill taking the crown. Sid Sweet, Jr. also of Williamstown took the feature win followed by Ron Gabaree, Tim Campbell, Will Hennequin and Alex Whitcomb rounding out the top five. Cabot, VT’s Ken Christman finished of his dominating Junkyard Warrior Championship season with his 12th win in just 18 starts. He was followed by Kevin Dodge, Mike Devino, Fred Schroeder and Matt Leblanc. The 2010 Thunder Road International Speedbowl season has come to the a close. The ACT Late Model Tour has one event remaining at Waterford Speedbowl in Waterford, CT next Saturday and Sunday, October 9th and 10th. The ACT Bond/WIX Tiger Tour also has one event remaining next Saturday, October 9th at Riverside Speedway in Groveton, NH. 48th Annual People’s United Bank Milk Bowl Thunder Road International Speebowl Sunday, October 3, 2010 Unofficial Results Pos     Car #     Driver                             Hometown          Total Pts 1         97NH     Joey Polewarczyk, Jr.     Hudson, NH                     12 2         37VT     Brian Hoar                     Williston, VT                   20 3         26VT     John Donahue                Graniteville, VT              20 4         55VT     Brent Dragon                 Milton, VT                       22 5         15VT     Joey Laquerre                E. Montpelier, VT           29 6         91QC     Patrick Laperle               St-Denis, QC                   30 7          7VT      Eric Williams                  Hyde Park, VT                 31 8         44VT     Dave Pembroke             Montpelier, VT               32 9         18VT     Jamie Fisher                   Shelburne, VT                 34 10       10NH     Ben Rowe                       Turner, ME                     34 11       14VT     Phil Scott                        Montpelier, VT               34 12       7ME     Glen Luce                       Turner, ME                     38 13       55NH     Brad Leighton                Center Harbor, NH         40 14       78NH     Quinny Welch                Lancaster, NH                 41 15       89VT     Scott Payea                    Milton, VT                       41 16        8VT      Richard Lowrey              Charlotte, VT                  42 17       32VT     Jean-Paul Cyr                 Milton, VT                       44 18       41VT     Pete Potvin III                 Graniteville, VT              47 19       05VT     Craig Bushey                  Cambridge, VT               48 20      57ME    #Austin Theriault           Fort Kent, ME                 56 21       16NY     Mark Lamberton            Mooers Forks, NY           58 22       68VT     Brooks Clark                   Fayston, VT                     58 23       16NH     Travis Fadden                 N. Haverhill, NH             60 24        6VT      Cris Michaud                  E. Montpelier, VT           61 25       42VT     Matt White                    Northfield, VT                 65 26       00VT     Mike Bailey                    South Barre, VT              73 27       12VT     Reno Gervais                  Island Pond, VT               75 28       81VT     Grant Folsom                 Waitsfield, VT                 80 29       75VT     Pete Fecteau                  Morrisville, VT                85 30       02NH     Randy Potter                  Groveton, NH                  85   Bond Auto Tiger Sportsmen Unofficial Feature Top Ten Pos     Car #     Driver                             Hometown 1           68       Derrick O’Donnell          Bradford, VT 2           48       Tom Therrien                 Hinesburg, VT 3           26       Mike Ziter                      Williamstown, VT 4           04       Eric Badore                    Milton, VT 5            5        Troy Gray                       Fairlee, VT 6           90       Tony Rossi                      Peacham, VT 7           31       Shawn Fleury                  Middlesex, VT 8           29       #Jason Allen                   Barre, VT 9           94       Brendan Moodie            Wolcott, VT 10         58       Jimmy Hebert                Williamstown, VT   Allen Lumber Street Stocks/Junkyard Warriors Unofficial Top Ten Pos     Car #     Driver                             Hometown 1          51ss      #Sid Sweet Jr.                 Williamstown, VT 2           9ss       Ron Gabaree                  Barre, VT 3          34ss      Tim Campbell, Sr.          W. Topsham, VT 4          47ss      William Hennequin        Morrisville, VT 5          78ss      #Alex Whitcomb            Montpelier, VT 6          43ss      Jamie Davis                    Wolcott, VT 7           3ss       Micheal MacAskill         Williamstown, VT 8          92ss      Garry Bashaw                Lincoln, VT 9          33ss      #Thomas Placey             Bradford, VT 10         6ss       Daniel Lathrop               Hyde Park, VT   -30-

 

Thunder Road: Daisy Dalton Earns Miss Milk Bowl 2010

Daisy Dalton Earns Miss Milk Bowl 2010 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                             ACT-092410-55 Berlin, VT – Harvest Hills Farm’s Daisy Dalton, an eight year old registered Ayreshire, has been selected as Miss Milk Bowl 2010. The Vermont beauty will be at the 48th Annual People’s United Bank Milk Bowl at Thunder Road on Sunday, October 3 to deliver the victory kiss to one lucky driver.

 

Daisy, who comes from Scottish background, adds the Miss Milk Bowl title to her “Queen of 2010 Enosburg Dairy Festival” and “Political Puller” at the 2010 Annual Barre Farm Show crowns. Anne Burke, owner of Harvest Hills Farm in Berlin, VT says, “Daisy will serve her reign with pride and grace, and looks forward to meeting the lucky driver in victory lane at this year’s Milk Bowl.” Over forty of the best ACT Late Model competitors from the Northeast and Canada are expected to take their shot at earning a kiss from Daisy at the 48th Annual People’s United Bank Milk Bowl. Saturday, October 2 is Booth Bros./H.P. Hood qualifying day while the Milk Bowl will be on Sunday, October 3. Adult admission for Saturday only is $5 and Sunday is $20. A two day ticket may be purchased for $25 and kids (ages 12 and under) are free for both days. Post time for both days is 1:00pm. For more information visit www.thunderroadspeedbowl.com or contact media @acttour.com. Attached picture – Owner Anne Burke and Miss Milk Bowl 2010 Daisy Dalton of Harvest Hills Farm in Berlin, VT. -30-

 

 

THUNDER ROAD MILK BOWL GETS FACELIFT

For Immediate Release -                                      TR – 091510-54           Waterbury, VT – Officials from Thunder Road Speedbowl in Barre, VT announced today a change in the format of one of America’s best-known short track events, the People’s United Bank Milk Bowl.

 

For most if its 47-year history, the Milk Bowl has been comprised of qualifying and three 50-lap segments, with a unique scoring system that crowns the Champion after the completion of the final segment. In 2010, fans will see a change in the number of laps to the Milk Bowl format. As usual, the first 50-lap segment will be determined from a pole and outside-pole effort in time trials.  The second and third segments have traditionally seen a full inversion of the previous segment, with the last place driver from the previous segment starting on the pole and the winner last. Beginning with the Peoples United Bank 2010 Milk Bowl, the event will look the same until the second segment when the laps will increase from 50 to 75. Again 75 laps will be run for the third and final segment, after the second segment inversion, making the new format a 200-lap Milk Bowl versus the 150-lap event of the past.   “Over the past few years, the racing by the weekly Late Models at Thunder Road and on the ACT has been remarkably respectful. It has left little time for drivers stuck out back to have a fair opportunity to challenge for many wins. In the interest of fair competition, and in an attempt to provide the fans with the most exciting racing we can, we are going to expand the laps. We hope it will increase the excitement of the overall Milk Bowl,” said Tom Curley, Promoter of Thunder Road in Barre, VT.   Former three-time King of the Road and Milk Bowl winner Cris Michaud said, “I know how difficult it is to get to the front in 50 laps on Thursday nights with only 22 or 24 cars. It is much harder with 30 high quality teams that usually show up for the Milk Bowl starting grid. I really like this change. It will probably bring the points in three segments back to the teens to win, rather than the recent 20+ points.” (The Milk Bowl scoring system is based on a single point for a win in a segment, 2 points for second, 3 for third etc. In recent years it has resulted in very high total scores to win the event after combining the three segments.)   The Peoples United Bank Milk Bowl will take place on Saturday and Sunday, October 2 and 3, 2010. Post time is 1:30 each day and admission is only $25 for both days. Saturday is only $5.00 and $20 for just Sunday’s Milk Bowl. Kids 12 and under are free.   For additional information contact the Thunder Road office at 802.244.6963 or media@acttour.com.                    -30-