by Jay | May 10, 2012 | New England, Thunder Road, Vermont
The New Drivers Look to Shake Things Up
In 2012 many Thunder Road drivers are making moves to different divisions. Some with little experience, others bearing championships. The drivers below are ones to keep a close eye on in the upcoming season for Rookie of the Year honors.
Bond Auto Tiger Sportsman
Waterbury Center’s Jason Woodard will pilot the familiar #68 Bond Auto Tiger Sportsman championship car of Derrick O’Donnell from 2011. Woodard, who was the final champion of the Junkyard Warriors with nine wins in 2011, will face a steep learning curve having opted to race in the Tigers as opposed to the Allen Lumber Street Stocks. With championship experience and a great car underneath him, he could be a wildcard in 2012.
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by Jay | May 2, 2012 | ACT, New England, Photos, Thunder Road, Touring Series News, Vermont
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Photos Credit – www.LeifTillotsonPhotography.com
Race Story – TWICE IS NICE: Brian Hoar Wins First Merchants Bank 150 – Now 2-For-2 In ACT For 2012
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by Jay | May 2, 2012 | ACT, New England, Thunder Road, Touring Series News, Vermont
Brian Hoar of Williston, Vt., held off a furious challenge from Wayne Helliwell Jr. for the second race in a row, leading the final 22 laps to win the Merchants Bank 150 at Thunder Road International Speedbowl on Sunday afternoon.
It was the first career Merchants Bank 150 win for the driver of the RPM Motorsports No. 37 GossCars.com Dodge, and it was his second straight win to open the 2012 ACT Late Model Tour season. Hoar now has an ACT-record 35 career victories and holds the early points lead as he searches for a ninth ACT championship.
“I’ve been chasing this one a long time,” said Hoar, who won the 2011 Milk Bowl at Thunder Road. “It’s the first time for us (in the Merchants Bank 150), and it’s a big deal. Anytime you can win at Thunder Road, it’s awesome.”
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by Jay | Apr 29, 2012 | ACT, New England, Thunder Road, Touring Series News, Vermont
14th Annual Merchants Bank 150 Weekend
Thunder Road International Speedbowl
PITS NOTES SATURDAY APRIL 28, 2012
· 109 cars attended the annual Car Show held at Thunder Road
· 46 ACT Late Models participated in practice in preparation for Sunday’s Merchants Bank 150.
· Joey Polewarcyzk Jr. of Hudson, NH had the fastest lap time of 13.069.
· Other fast times were set by defending Late Model Champion Dave Pembroke, two-time defending Merchants Bank 150 Champion Nick Sweet, Lt. Governor Phil Scott, former Rookie of the Year Cody Blake, as well as Ben Rowe, Brooks Clark, Randy Potter, and Cris Michaud in the Merchants Bank Ford Fusion.
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by Jay | Apr 27, 2012 | ACT, New England, Thunder Road, Touring Series News, Vermont
RPM Motorsports: ACT Late Model Tour
Thunder Road Int’l Speedbowl Race Preview
THE STORY
Brian Hoar of Williston, Vt., will try and go 2-for-2 to open the ACT Late Model Tour season when the series competes in the Merchants Bank 150 at Thunder Road International Speedbowl in Barre, Vt., on Sunday, April 29. Hoar, who won his 34th career ACT race in the season opener at Lee USA Speedway two weeks ago, finished fifth in this event last season. Though Hoar has had mixed results at Thunder Road recently – winning the season-ending Milk Bowl last September, but posting his worst finish of 2011 in the Labor Day Classic 200 at the track – RPM Motorsports has dominated the last two Late Model events there. Local driver Nick Sweet won the Labor Day Classic for car owner Rick Paya in September, while Hoar capped his championship year with his second career Milk Bowl.
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by Jay | Apr 24, 2012 | ACT, Canada, New England, Thunder Road, Touring Series News, Vermont
Two-time and defending Serie ACT Castrol Champion Patrick Laperle has filed his entry for the 14th Annual Merchants Bank 150 at Thunder Road. The former ACT US star, who won the ACT Championship in 2008, will make his return to the Barre Highbanks to kick off the 2012 season.
Laperle’s resume at Thunder Road makes him an early favorite for the Merchants Bank 150. His 19 ACT wins, four of which have been at Thunder Road, is third overall on the All-Time ACT Win List. He is a multi-time Thunder Road Milk Bowl Champion as well as the 2010 Labor Day Classic winner.
Laperle is enthusiastic about starting the 2012 racing season.
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