Late Model Championship Coming to a Close
As drivers prepare for weekly championship action this Thursday night (August 16), division titles are nearing the homestretch at the “Nation’s Site of Excitement” Barre’s Thunder Road. Only a handful of events remain for the Bond Auto Tiger Sportsmen, who are currently locked in one of the closest point battles in recent memory, as well as the Allen Lumber Street Stocks. For Late Models, the championship is just around the corner.
Thursday will mark the beginning of the end for championship hopes in the Late Model division, as in a stretch of seven days they will run their final three point counting events. A rainout event last Thursday has moved the Make-A-Wish/Bond night to Sunday, August 19th, creating a weeklong dash to crown the Late Model “King of the Road.”
The championship has remained point-leader Nick Sweet’s to lose, as he currently leads defending Champion David Pembroke by 96 points. Three-time Champion Phil Scott rides third only 13 points out of second, while South Burlington’s Trampas Demers and the Mad River Valley’s Brooks Clark round out the top five. Sweet is attempting to claim his second “King of the Road” title in three years at Thunder Road, a feat only eight drivers in Thunder Road history have ever accomplished.
In the Bond Auto Tiger Sportsmen division, just six points at the top of the list separate five drivers, leaving the championship completely up for grabs. Craftsbury Common’s Mike Martin leads Barre’s Jason Allen, Milton’s Eric Badore, and a tie between two-time Champion Shawn Fleury and Brendan Moodie, Jr for the top spot. With only five events left to settle the title, every lap becomes even more crucial.
Jefferson, NH’s Nick Pilotte continues to lead the Allen Lumber Street Stock division, holding off rookie sensation Dean Switser, Jr. who has cut the lead down to just 17 points. The pair has broken out into a two-horse race that may very well come down to a last lap pass as it did in 2011. Garry Bashaw, Cameron Ouellette, and Tommy “Thunder” round out the top five contenders.
Championship battles continue this Thursday, August 16 for VP Race Fuel night at Thunder Road. Post time is 6:30pm. Sunday, August 19 will also be the rainout event for Make-A-Wish/Bond night, which will feature the annual Run-What-U-Brung and Tough Truck Tug O’ War. Post time for the rainout event is 4:30.