by Jay | Apr 28, 2013 | ACT, New England, Thunder Road, Touring Series News, Vermont
Barre, VT – The sun shone on eight-time American Canadian Tour Champion Brian Hoar, as his trademark patience brought him his second Merchants Bank 150 in as many years on a beautiful afternoon on Sunday, April 28. Middlesex, VT’s Dave Pembroke came home a stout second, and 7-time ACT Champion Jean-Paul Cyr brought home a third place finish.
The race began with pole sitter Jay Laquerre running to a large lead in the early going, but it wasn’t long before Pembroke and Hoar muscled their way to the front in the outside lane, with Pembroke snatching the lead on lap 36. From there Pembroke surged, making short work of lap traffic and building his lead during a long 82-lap green flag run. ACT Rookie of the Year competitor Bobby Therrien impressed early, working his way towards the front of the pack as high as third in his third career ACT event before the caution.
(more…)
by Jay | Apr 28, 2013 | Maine, Wiscasset Raceway
WISCASSET SPEEDWAY PRESS RELEASE (APRIL 27, 2013)
Darin Ripley Returns to Wiscasset Speedway and Triumphs
By Lisa Maguire
It was a bright sunny day at the Wiscasset Speedway this past Saturday. Race fans came out in force to enjoy the beautiful weather and cheer for their favorite drivers. On the schedule this week was the division two racing group which included: Outlaw Mini’s, Mini Trucks, Late Model Sportsman, and Strictly Streets. The flex race of the week was a 100 lap Enduro race.
When the Late Model Sportsmen came onto the track, there was plenty of action in the 35 lap feature. No. 14, Bryan Robbins took the pole, and found himself in an immediate battle to retain his position. Right behind him was Darin Ripley driving No. 09 and Steve Reno in the No. 8. During heavy racing, Ripley watched for an opportunity to pass to Robbins. During lap seven, his chance came when Robbins got loose on turn four. Ripley roared up beside Robbins and passed on the outside, taking the lead. Reno slipped to third and found himself holding off TJ Watson in the No. 04. (more…)
by Jay | Apr 28, 2013 | Thunder Road, Vermont
Over 80 cars line up on Main Street in Barre, VT for the Annual Thunder Road Car Show. The Car Show and optional practice precede the 15th Annual Merchants Bank 150 which will be run tomorrow (Sunday, April 27) at Thunder Road.
Pit Notes for Saturday, April 27 Practice
The stars of the American Canadian Tour and Thunder Road’s local divisions lit up Barre, VT for the annual Car Show on Saturday, April 27 before heading to The Nation’s Site of Excitement for a practice in preparation for the 15th Annual Merchants Bank 150 on Sunday, April 28.
Over 80 stock cars were displayed on Main Street in Barre, VT for Thunder Road’s Annual Car Show. A large gathering of fans were treated to blue skies, driver autographs and pictures, remote-controlled cars, Troy Kingsbury’s Race to Read program, and WDEV Radio. The annual Pit Stop contest featured last year’s champions battling to see who could complete the fastest two-tire change. 2012 Bond Auto Tiger Sportsman Champion Bobby Therrien stole the show with a fast time of 32.93.
When the festivities concluded, the Catamount Pipe Band led the Champions of Thunder Road and ACT down the street to prepare for the historic parade up Quarry Hill. When noon struck, the streets lined with fans and the field came to life to begin their one-mile march towards the Nation’s Site of Excitement.
Over 40 ACT Late Model Championship Cars were on hand for the optional practice day. Northfield, VT’s Matt White led the initial practice, while Shelburne, VT’s Trampas Demers paced the second. 2011 Bond Auto Tiger Sportsman Champion Derrick O’Donnell showed the way in the third practice, but it was Milton, VT’s Eric Chase who set the fastest time of the day in the fourth practice with a blistering time of 13.042. Demers was also the fastest car in the fifth session. Other fast cars included Wayne Helliwell, Jr., Jean-Paul Cyr, Travis Stearns, and Nick Sweet.
Shawn Fleury, Mike Ziter, Tucker Williams, and Eric Badore led the Bond Auto Tiger Sportsmen in practice, while Greg Adams, Bunker Hodgdon, and Alan Maynard ran the fastest times in the Allen Lumber Street Stocks. No accidents occurred during the 5 hour practice session.
The 15th Annual Merchants Bank 150 will begin with the opening Class Day activities. The Champions will be honored in front of their peers with the raising of their flags, and the top three Car Show winners from each division will be announced. Post time is set for 1pm, front gates will open at 10am. Tickets are $20 for Adults, children 12 and under are free.
by Jay | Apr 27, 2013 | NASCAR, NASCAR K&N Pro Series, Touring Series News
Thirty six NASCAR K&N Pro Series East cars took the green flag in the Blue Ox 100 at Richmond International Raceway on Thursday with Eddie MacDonald in the unenviable 33rd starting position. When the checkered flag waved at the end of the 100 lap (75 miles) race the Grimm Construction Chevy scored an impressive fourth place finish.
“We needed that finish after the last couple of races,” said a very pleased driver. “We had a terrible qualifying attempt. The front of the car was hitting the track and it was smoking quite a bit. We had to start the race that way since the cars are impounded after qualifying.”
(more…)
