The American-Canadian Tour (ACT) will compete in three 150-lap events on three completely different tracks in all three northern New England states to open the 2015 season. The New Hampshire Governor’s Cup 150, now re-set due to snow on April 28, is the usual traditional opening event for ACT teams held yearly at Lee USA Speedway in Lee, NH. Teams will now start off the 2015 season at Oxford Plains Speedway (OPS) in Oxford, ME on April 18 followed by their annual visit to Thunder Road International Speedbowl in Barre, VT on May 3.
The fast Lee 3/8th-mile oval might statistically favor multi-time Lee champion and two-time ACT champion Wayne Helliwell, Jr., but he has tried eight times to date with a best finish of second in last year’s event, and is long overdue for a win. There is also favorite Eddie MacDonald, who is on a roll with five consecutive wins in recent outings, going back to the Thunder Road Milk Bowl last October. McDonald captured the NH Governor’s Cup last year in his ninth try at his home track. Defending 2014 ACT Champion Joey Polewarczk, Jr. (Pole) is also considered a favorite, but his only win at Lee USA came in a 100-lap opening race back in 2008.
“Well, I have seen them all, and I think it is the most difficult race to make predictions on,” said Tom Curley, President of the American-Canadian Tour. “I think of the win by Jimmy Hebert two years ago, from starting last to the upset win, which established this young team as second-year title contenders. The constant opening event surprises every year. Last year Ben Ashline, after a two-year absence, came back with a solid top-ten effort. It’s what makes the NH Governor’s Cup so much fun for both teams and fans. It’s only one race, but it can give a huge boost to the start of the season for any of the top 20 or 25 teams.”
The present field of teams that make up the ACT U.S. touring series is deep with experienced veterans such as Jeff White, J.R. Robinson, Travis Stearns, and Brad Babb from Maine. Aaron Fellows, Luke Hinkley, and Todd Davis from New Hampshire have won numerous races during their Late Model careers.
New young talents such as ACT 2014 Rookie of the Year Brandon Atkins, Emily Packard, and Kyle Welch all have another year of experience, and they are poised to have breakout seasons. There is also the presence of Ray Parent, who led a race-high 117 laps in last year’s NH Governor’s Cup, and Stephane Descoste, who finished a surprising fifth. Both drivers went on to strong 2014 seasons and will similarly look to use Lee USA as a springboard to their 2015 campaigns.
Many teams will now be looking forward to the ACT/PASS (Pro All Star Series) doubleheader to be held at the OPS on Saturday, April 18. The tricky 3/8th-mile oval will offer a home track advantage to the Maine teams. The excitement of the first ever doubleheader with the two sanctioning bodies will make the Oxford event one of the most popular stops for Late Model fans during the beginning of the season.
Other drivers that have OPS circled for the 2015 season include Eddie MacDonald and Joey Pole. MacDonald has three OPS wins and Pole has two to his credit. MacDonald won the Oxford 250 in both 2009 and 2010, while Pole captured the historic event in 2012. Wayne Helliwell, Jr., along with several other teams, is expected to race in both halves of the doubleheader. A Quebec contingent, led by 2014 Serié ACT Champion Alex Labbe of Ste Albert, QC, is also expected to join the list of entrants at the OPS opening event.
The tri-race schedule takes a major U-turn to Vermont and the high banks of Thunder Road for the 17th annual Merchant’s Bank 150 on Sunday, May 3.
The ¼-mile track offers a major challenge to ACT touring teams, as Thunder Road weekly Late Models always seem to have a home track advantage. A field loaded with former track champions such as Derrick O’Donnell, Nick Sweet, David Pembroke, Phil Scott, and Dave Whitcomb, along with new rising stars Cody Blake, Eric Badore, Jason Corliss, Brooks Clark, and Shawn Fleury, will add depth to the competition for the touring regulars.
“I really enjoy the challenge of having the Tour teams at Thunder Road,” said Nick Sweet, two-time Thunder Road Champion and two-time winner of the Merchant’s Bank 150. “It helps neutralize the regular competition we face all season. I like our weekly team’s chances in a race at T-Road. When Joey (Pole), Helliwell, Hebert, Parent and all the other ACT teams show up, there is a certain home track pride that kind of enters the equation. I like to think that we Thunder Road regulars can hold our own.”
The Icebreaker on April 11-12 marks the opening of the 75th season at Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park (TSMP). To commemorate the occasion, TSMP will be holding a 75 lap race for their premiere NASCAR Whelen All-American Series, the Sunoco Modifieds.
The 75-lap feature will be the highest paying Sunoco Modified race in recent history, offering $2,000 to the winner, and $250 to any driver who takes the green. Teams will be allowed up to two tire changes, throughout the race.
The race will draw a strong field of Modified drivers, including NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour drivers Justin Bonsignore and Ted Christopher. Bonsignore was the winner of the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour races at both the Icebreaker and Budweiser 150 last year. Christopher is one of the winningest drivers at TSMP, with 98 career wins, and will also be a strong contender for the win.
“We’re looking forward to being part of the 75 lap feature event for the Icebreaker,” said Justin Bonsignore. “This will be my first season running the SK Modifieds full time, and I’m excited to be running in the division. I’m also looking forward to being part of the 75th celebration, and the purse definitely helps to sweeten the pot. Hopefully we can put together a good car to win the race!”(end)