by | Apr 17, 2014 | ACT, Touring Series News
The American Canadian Tour kicked off its 23rd season at Lee USA Speedway again this year with the Governor’s Cup 150 on Sunday April 13th. Hitting the track for her first race of the season, Emily Packard, the 17 year old East Montpelier native, brought home her 9X Northstar Fireworks/Packard Fuels sponsored car in 12th place.
Rain early in the day changed the track and the schedule, shortening day and allowing little to no practice to feel the car out prior to the heat races. Starting 5th in the heat race, Packard dropped back a position early on fighting a pushing race car, but battled her way up to 4th by Lap 4. The closing laps found her in a battle of side by side racing for the last three laps holding off the 5VT car to cross the line in 4th place to secure her place in the show. “I hope it was an exciting race for the fans to watch, because it was definitely exciting from the driver’s seat,” said Packard of her tight racing with the 5vt car, “it was a good (heat) race and a good start to the season.”
Starting 9th, Packard had a good handling car, but fell back a few spots where she concentrated on saving her tires for later in the race. On lap 47, Packard passed the 37VT to move up to the 12th position and gaining on the next car in line, only to have the caution come out on lap 53. A couple of the leaders chose to pit, allowing Packard to move up to 10th on the restart. “We were able to drive away from the guy behind us and ride for a while,” said Packard. The second caution came out on lap 71, and Packard restarted 15th, working her way around the 3/8ths mile track, for the next 75 laps, moving up to 13th place. “There were a good amount of laps that we were running and taking down lap cars. We were trying to make passes and fill any holes that we could.” When the final caution came out on lap 146, Packard found herself restarting in 12th position, as the 17RI spun out while battling for the lead. When the checkers fell, Packard came home with a 12th place finish. “I think it’s a very respectable finish and I am really happy with it going into the start of the season,” said Packard. “And a big thank you to my sponsors, Northstar Fireworks, Packard Fuels, Yipes! of Barre, Fecteau Homes, Berlin Optical Expressions, GossCars.com, Be the Match, Rutland Regional Medical Center, and R.G. Paving.”
Next up for Packard is the ACT Race at Thunder Road April 26th and 27th.
by | Apr 17, 2014 | ACT, Lee USA, Touring Series News
By Dick Casey
Eddie MacDonald crossed another item off his racing “bucket list” winning the Governor’s Cup 150 at his home track in ACT’s 23rd season on Sunday. Driving the Freddie Peterson owned Late Model, Eddie Mac started on the pole, then faded back to preserve tires , and then taking the lead with five laps to go on the three‐eighths mile oval owned by his parents, Judy and Red MacDonald. The win was the first in nine ACT attempts at Lee for the Rowley, Mass. Veteran.
“This win is just incredible,” said Eddie Mac in Victory Lane. “We wanted this one for a long time. We have had fast cars in the past but have been unable to get the win. I am so happy and thankful for Sheila and Freddie Peterson for all their support. I know this win means a lot to them and I am glad we could get it for them. Rollie (LaChance) and I have been lucky enough to win some big races including Loudon, the Oxford 250, and Bristol recently but this one has eluded us so now I can cross this off the bucket list. Of course, winning at Lee in front of my mother and father, family, and all our friends and fans is really something special.”
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by | Apr 16, 2014 | ACT, Media, Photos, Touring Series News
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by | Apr 14, 2014 | ACT, Touring Series News
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by | Apr 12, 2014 | ACT, Touring Series News
Lee, NH – A total of 39 American Canadian Tour Late Models took advantage of a test and tune session at Lee USA Speedway in Lee, NH in preparation for tomorrow’s (Sunday, April 13) 2014 ACT season opener.
Rhode Island’s Ray Parent set the fastest time of the day with a 15.819 around the 3/8ths mile speedway. Others at the top of the time charts were former ACT Lee winners Joey Polewarczyk, Jr. (15.914) and Brian Hoar (15.936), as well as Ben Lynch (15.948), and Todd Davis (15.969).
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by | Apr 11, 2014 | Big 8 Late Model Series, Touring Series News
This Sunday afternoon April 13, it’s the Midwest’s first major asphalt race of the season, with the running of the 37th Annual Spring Classic, featuring the Big 8 Late Models presented by Gandrud Chevrolet. Sunday’s Spring Classic again looks to be a “Clash of the Champions,” with over 30 track and series championships represented between 35 pre entrants. 2013 Rockford Speedway Track Champion Alex Papini is the defending race winner, while ‘Driver X’ Jon Reynolds Jr has won three of the last four Big 8 races on the high banks. Other local favorites joining Reynolds and Papini this weekend include seven-time track champions Ricky Bilderback and Bobby Wilberg, along with 2010 Track Champion Tim Sargent. Drivers from as far away as Minnesota, northern Wisconsin and Indiana will also be at Rockford Speedway Sunday, with their eyes on the prize. The Mid American Stock Car Series and Illinois Vintage Racers are also set compete at Spring Classic. Gates open at 11 AM Sunday, with the first race going green at 1 PM. Adult admission is $20, Students 12-17 are $10, Children 6-11 are $5, with kids 5 and under free!
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