by Jay | Sep 9, 2015 | Thunder Road, Vermont
photo by RPM 360
EAST MONTPELIER, Vt. – Fighting an ill-handing car throughout the entire race, Emily Packard was able to bring home a 15th place finish in a race that saw 9 caution flags in the 37th Coca Cola Labor Day Classic at Thunder Road International Speedbowl this past weekend.
The 18-year old East Montpelier native was consistently in the top ten on each of the speed sheets and felt that she would have a decent car for the heat. Packard started her Northstar Fireworks/Packard Fuels car in the 8th position of the second heat race, but wasn’t able to make much movement forward. “We had a tough heat race,” Packard said. “We weren’t able to get into the preferred line, and the car wasn’t exactly how we wanted it, being a little snug in the center.” She would end up finishing the heat race in 8th place, and found herself running the consi to make the feature. (more…)
by Jay | Sep 9, 2015 | Thunder Road, Vermont
Sweet Makes Move Late for Record Third Labor Day Classic Victory
Barre, VT – Local racer Nick Sweet made his move on a late restart to become the first three-time winner of the Coca-Cola Labor Day Classic 200 at Barre’s Thunder Road on Sunday, September 6 while Derrick O’Donnell put the finishing touches on his third straight “King of the Road” crown.
Sweet methodically worked his way through the field after pitting for right-side tires on a lap-78 caution and found himself alongside leader Brett Gervais of Island Pond on a restart with 22 laps remaining after O’Donnell shut down while battling for third.
(more…)
by Jay | Sep 6, 2015 | Thunder Road, Vermont
Points and Pride at Stake in Thunder Road Labor Day Classic
Barre, VT – Thunder Road will crown its division champions this Sunday, September 6 at the 37th Labor Day Classic 200 this Sunday. The oldest event in Thunder Road’s history doubles as the final point-counting event of the 2015 season for Thunder Road Late Models, Bond Auto Tiger Sportsmen, and Allen Lumber Street Stocks, leaving much on the line this Sunday.
The Labor Day Classic, which dates back to 1960, is the longest and most prestigious event of the weekly season for the Thunder Road Late Models. Many drivers will be looking for their first entry on one of the granite monuments that stand at Thunder Road for winners of the Labor Day Classic, Memorial Day Classic, and Vermont Milk Bowl.
(more…)
by Jay | Sep 3, 2015 | Thunder Road, Vermont
Thunder Road to Crown Champions at 37th Labor Day Classic
Barre, VT – The 2015 “King of the Road” will be crowned this Sunday, September 6 in the 37th Coca-Cola Labor Day Classic 200. N. Haverhill, NH’s Derrick O’Donnell is set to claim his third consecutive Thunder Road Late Model Championship, while the title battles in the Bond Auto Tiger Sportsmen and Allen Lumber Street Stocks will come down to the final laps.
O’Donnell sped to his fourth victory of the season last Thursday at Thunder Road. The win mathematically clinched a record-tying third straight Late Model title. O’Donnell joins Chuck Beede (1992-1994) as the only drivers to be “King of the Road” three years running.
(more…)
by Jay | Aug 28, 2015 | Thunder Road, Vermont
Alan Ward/Big Al’s Photos
Barre, VT – N. Haverhill, NH’s Derrick O’Donnell put an exclamation point on his bid for a third consecutive Thunder Road championship by making a late charge for his fourth win of the season Thursday, August 27 on Cody Chevrolet Cadillac Night.
O’Donnell broke out of traffic late in the 50-lap main event and sliced through the front of the pack, passing cars low and high before reaching leader Mike “Beetle” Bailey. The two-time defending champion then swung to the outside of Bailey and grabbed the top spot with just three laps remaining.
(more…)
by Jay | Aug 21, 2015 | Thunder Road, Vermont
Alan Ward/Big Al’s Photos photo
Barre, VT – The next-to-last Thursday night event of the 56th Thunder Road racing season is this Thursday, August 20 with Jet Service Envelope/Accura Printing Night. N. Haverhill, NH’s Derrick O’Donnell is just three races away from a record-tying third consecutive “King of the Road” title, making each spot critical this Thursday night.
The evening will also feature the annual “Run-What-U-Brung” spectator races, allowing people to race their registered and inspected street vehicles mano-a-mano around the ¼-mile oval. Participants must register at the pit gate by 5:30pm, purchase a pit pass, and wear a full racing helmet.
(more…)
