Star-Studded Entry List Growing for Milk Bowl
Barre, VT – The 57th Vermont Milk Bowl presented by Northfield Savings Bank is already shaping up as one of the most star-studded auto racing events of the season in the Northeast. Numerous champions, former Milk Bowl winners, and rising standouts have already sent in their entries and will attempt to qualify for the “Toughest Short-Track Stock Car Race in North America” on Saturday, September 28 and Sunday, September 29.
For many fans, the main man to watch on Milk Bowl Weekend will be Senoia, GA’s Andrew “Bubba” Pollard. As perhaps the most successful driver in modern short track racing, Pollard is making his first attempt at the Vermont Milk Bowl in a car prepared by Joey Polewarczyk Racing. He will try to add to a résumé that includes wins in the Canadian Short Track Nationals, the Oxford 250, and the All-American 400.
But Thunder Road is never easy on invaders, and the Milk Bowl will be no exception. At least five past winners of the Milk Bowl will try to add their name to the Barre granite monument once again. They include three-time winner Patrick Laperle of St-Denis, QC; two-time and defending Milk Bowl winner Jason Corliss of Barre; 2010 winner Joey Polewarczyk of Hudson, NH; 2009 winner John Donahue of Graniteville; and 2006 winner Brent Dragon of Milton.
Several of the most accomplished racers in Vermont are also trying to break through the glass ceiling and claim their first Milk Bowl triumph. Defending ACT Late Model Tour Champion Scott Payea of Colchester, defending “King of the Road” Scott Dragon of Milton, perennial Thunder Road title contender Trampas Demers of Shelburne, and multi-time ACT winner Jimmy Hebert of Williamstown are all on the entry list. Former “King of the Road” Bobby Therrien of Hinesburg is back to try and avenge last year’s heartbreak where Corliss stole the overall win in the final corner.
A number of Thunder Road locals will join Dragon and Demers in defending against the all-star invaders. This year’s Vermont Governor’s Cup winner Brooks Clark of Fayston has entered the event. So have top-10 point runners Kyle Pembroke of Montpelier, Tyler Cahoon of Danville, Christopher Pelkey of Graniteville, and Marcel J. Gravel of Wolcott. Former Flying Tiger Champion Brendan Moodie of Wolcott and former Milk Bowl segment winner Jim “Boomer” Morris of Barre will also represent the Late Model ranks.
Drivers who’ve had success at other tracks around the region are trying to duplicate it at Thunder Road. Multi-time Devil’s Bowl Speedway Champion Josh Masterson of Bristol has entered the event. Two top-10 point drivers from New Hampshire’s White Mountain Motorsports Park, Graniteville’s Stephen Donahue and S. Barre’s Mike Bailey, return home for the biggest event of the season.
The Donahue’s are one of two father-son duos entered as Wolcott’s Marcel D. Gravel has joined his son on the entry list. Notre Dame des Pins, QC’s Alexendre Tardif recently wrapped up a top-five in the Autodrome Chaudiere Late Model points while Westerly, RI’s Mike Benevides has been a regular at Connecticut’s Thompson Speedway this season. Craftsbury’s Joel Hodgdon has raced everywhere in his first year behind the wheel of a Late Model and could be a dark horse. Former ARCA Series Champion Mason Mitchell of W. Des Moines, IA is looking for some redemption in his second attempt at qualifying for the Milk Bowl.
The 57th Vermont Milk Bowl Weekend is coming on Saturday, September 28 at 3:00pm and Sunday, September 30 at 12:15pm. The weekend includes the three-segment Milk Bowl, a Pro All Stars Series (PASS) Super Late Model 150, and “Mini Milk Bowls” for the Lenny’s Shoe & Apparel Flying Tigers, Allen Lumber Street Stocks, Burnett Scrap Metals Road Warriors, and WMMP Dwarf Cars. Adult admission is $45 for a two-day ticket, $30 for Sunday-only, and $20 for Saturday-only. Kids ages 12 and under are admitted free both days.
Thunder Road crowns its 2019 champions on Sunday, September 22 at 1:30pm with Barre Granite Association Championship Day. The card includes “Twin 60s” for the Maplewood/Irving Oil Late Models and Lenny’s Shoe & Apparel Flying Tigers plus “Twin 30’s” for the Allen Lumber Street Stocks and Burnett Scrap Metals Road Warriors. The pits open at 10:00am and the front gates open at 11:45am. Admission is just $12 for adults, $3 for kids ages 6-12, and $25 for a family of four (2 adults, 2 kids).
