Thunder RoadBarre, VT – Graniteville’s John Donahue and Montpelier’s Dave Pembroke are tied atop the Thunder Road Late Model point standings with just three point counting events left on the schedule. Donahue is aiming for his first “King of the Road” title, while Pembroke looks for his second.

The two have taken very different paths to the top in 2011. Donahue and his National Guard team started off the season on fire, winning the Memorial Day Classic and following it up just three races later with a win in the Vermont Governor’s Cup. Donahue has been the point leader for the majority of the season and lead by as much as 46 points. He hasn’t been lower than second in the standings all year.

Pembroke, in his new Vermont State Employees Credit Union Ford, started off strong with a second in the Memorial Day Classic and took the point lead with a 10th place effort just one race later. He then slipped as far as eleventh in the standings after four consecutive finishes outside the top ten. He was 88 points behind Pembroke before back-to-back wins, including one during the double point Mid-Season Champions gave him the point lead.

With just three events left to decide the 2011 “King of the Road,” Donahue and Pembroke also have to keep an eye in the rearview mirror as Lt. Governor Phil Scott can’t be counted out sitting third, just 41 points behind.

The battle continues next Thursday, August 4 with Safelite Auto Glass Night. The Late Models will be joined by the Bond Auto Tiger Sportsmen, Allen Lumber Street Stocks and Junkyard Warriors. The night will also feature the New England Antique Racers and the annual Run-What-You-Brung. Post time is 6:30pm with general admission just $10 for adults, $3 for kids (ages 6 to 12) and $20 for a family of four (2 adults and 2 kids).