by Jay | Jan 31, 2010 | NASCAR, NASCAR K&N Pro Series
Logano Captures Second NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown Victory
Runner-up Pena, 16, impresses in debut
IRWINDALE, Calif. – Joey Logano got his second NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown trophy and Sergio Pena nearly made a historic debut on the national stage.
Logano, 19, held off the 16-year-old Pena and two-time race winner Matt Kobyluck for the victory in the 225-lap race Saturday before a sold-out crowd at the Toyota Speedway at Irwindale.
It was Pena’s first career race in NASCAR’s top developmental series and it came in the non-points, postseason event, which has earned the moniker the “Daytona 500 of short-track racing.”
Logano made his mark by winning as a 17-year-old rookie in the 2007 edition; Pena, who only has one year of Late Model racing on his resume, nearly out-did that.
Logano and Pena waged a race-long battle for the lead from drop of the green. For most of the race it was the Pena in heated pursuit of the 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Rookie of the Year. Pena was able to grab the lead on several occasions. Logano, however, got the best of two late-race restarts to pull away for the victory.
Kobyluck got by Pena briefly on Lap 218, and by the time Pena got back to second four laps later he didn’t have enough time to track Logano back down.
Logano wound up leading a race-high 171 laps. Pena led the other 54 and they swapped the lead five times. Following Logano, Pena and Kobyluck across the line was Matt DiBenedetto and Andrew Myers. Eric Holmes, David Mayhew, Eddie MacDonald, Paulie Harraka and Steve Park rounded out the top 10.
Reigning NASCAR K&N Pro Series West Champion Jason Bowles finished 11th while K&N Pro Series East 2009 titlist Ryan Truex was relegated to 26th after a late-race accident.
It’s been a whirlwind weekend for Pena, a Winchester, Va., native.
Pena, driving for Revolution Racing and Drive For Diversity, beat out three teammates Thursday in a race-off for a chance to qualify for the Showdown. He easily did that, earning the pole in Friday’s qualifying.
The win was a vindication, of sorts, for Logano, who crossed the line first in last year’s NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown, but was penalized to last place for aggressive driving on the last lap.
This was the second year the postseason event was held in January. The first five – 2003-2007 – were held in the Fall.
by Jay | Jan 27, 2010 | PASS
PASS South returns to Concord Speedway during Charlotte Speedweeks 2010
CHARLOTTE, NC (January 27) – After a nearly three year absence, the Pro All Stars Series (PASS) South Super Late Models will return to the Concord (NC) Speedway this coming Memorial Day weekend. The PASS South Super Late Models will race on the unique half-mile tri-oval on Saturday, May 29th, on the eve of the Coca-Cola 600 just up the road at the Charlotte Motor Speedway.
“We’re really excited to have the PASS South Super Late Models back at the Concord Speedway in 2010,” said PASS President Tom Mayberry. “The 2010 PASS South schedule is the best we’ve ever had and we feel Concord will add even more flavor to the diverse group of tracks we’re slated to race at this year. A lot of fans travel to the Charlotte area in May for the festivities at Charlotte Motor Speedway and we look forward to having them at Concord on May 29th for some great short track action. I’d also like to thank Dwight Davies and the entire staff at Concord for helping make this race possible.”
Concord Speedway has a rich history of Super Late Model racing. The legendary Big 10 Series attracted many of the nation’s top drivers and made short track superstars of drivers such as Rich Bickle, Freddie Query, Jack Sprague, and Hal Goodson.
“Concord Speedway is proud to welcome back the PASS South series in 2010,” said Concord Speedway’s Dwight Davies. “We hope short track fans from across the country come to Concord in May to see the fastest cars on America’s Fastest Half-Mile Tri-Oval.”
For more information please visit our website at proallstarsseries.com.
by Jay | Jan 27, 2010 | Video
The SYLVANIA DOT it Dude heads out to the New Hampshire Motor Speedway for a second visit to scope out (more…)
by Jay | Jan 26, 2010 | New
LePage, Morin split Pro finals in Belmont for Rock Maple Racing snocross series
BELMONT, N.H. (Jan. 24, 2010) – Ever since it was announced that Mathieu Morin and Bobby “The Rage” LePage were coming to New England to compete this winter, everyone who follows the sport of snocross figured they would steal the headlines on a regular basis.
Seeing these two well-trained athletes on top of the podium has become a familiar site, as they continue to dominate here in the East. Morin and LePage put on another exciting show Sunday afternoon in southern New Hampshire, splitting the Pro finals as Rock Maple Racing (RMR) completed Round 4 of its 2009-2010 schedule at The Lodge at Belmont.
LePage (Hulten Speed Sports/Polaris), of Duluth, MN, grabbed the holeshot in Sunday’s Pro Stock final and led the first five laps. Morin (Ingles Performance/Ski-doo) powered his way into the lead on lap six and appeared to be headed for his fifth victory of the season. Yet as the two leaders entered turn 4 with just three of 24 laps remaining, Morin got caught behind Chris Chico on the outside, LePage blasted by on the inside and sprinted to the finish. Morin settled for second while multi-time champion Jason Boron claimed third.
In the Pro Open final, it was all Morin from start to finish. After the disappointment of losing in Pro Stock, he was determined to seal the deal on the mighty Mod sled. LePage slotted into second at the start, but came off his sled in turn 4 on lap six and had to fight his way back to fourth. Defending champion Danny Poirier was smooth all afternoon, piloting his Polaris to second while Boron once again filled out the podium in third.
Pro division rookie Brennan Berardo (DooTalk.com/Ski-doo) raced like a veteran on Sunday. The 17-year-old from Essex, VT, ran near the front for 18 laps in Pro Stock and came home with a solid top-five run. He got off to a strong start in Pro Open, as well and managed to secure another top five after completing 23 of 24 grueling laps on the tight and challenging track. Joseph Lemieux (Pro Vet) and Paige Calderwood (Pro Women) earned final round wins in their respective divisions Sunday. Lemieux, of St. Johnsbury, VT, held off Maine-based Jason Soucy and fellow Vermonter Rene Desrochers for top honors, while Calderwood, of Phoenix, NY, outgunned Melanie Acker and KC Anderson to notch her victory.
Corin Todd and Lucas Brunelle also thrilled the fans in Belmont with their victories in the Semi-Pro division. Todd (D&Z Racing/Ski-doo), of Otego, NY, powered by early leader Ash Woskob on lap eight and went on to record his fourth win of the season in the Open final. Lincoln Lemieux finished three seconds back in second, while Michael George came home third.
Brunelle (Ingles Performance/Ski-doo), of Boucherville, QC, capped a full day of racing as he held off Todd in Semi-Pro Stock. George made it an all-Ski-doo podium as he claimed third. All but nine of the 14 starters completed all 12 laps, while Brunelle’s margin of victory was just a tick over two seconds.
Jake Scott was the man to beat in Sport division action over the weekend. The young athlete from Port Jefferson, NY, claimed Saturday’s Sport Super Stock final over Chris Ingles and Mike Billow, then repeated the performance Sunday as Billow and Jesse James Bonaduce filled out the podium. Joe Bishop piloted his Ski-doo to victory in the Sport Stock 600 final, while Scott settled for second and Billow snagged another third.
In Junior division action over the weekend, Montana Jess registered a hat trick while Edward Bandel, Hunter Patenaude, Leo Patenaude, Wade McPherson, Jayme Lynch and Mason Pierce also earned final round wins. Jess, known in snocross circles as “The Flyin’ Onion,” piloted his Ski-doo to victories on both Saturday and Sunday.
Other final round winners over the weekend in Belmont include Rene Desrochers (Plus 35 Masters); Glynn Desilva (Plus 25 Stock); Steffanie Lemieux (Women Stock 600 Saturday and Sun.); and Jared White (Trail Stock 600 Sunday).
Rock Maple Racing would like to thank event promoter Craig Harmon, Lodge at Belmont general manager Rick Newman, the Belmont Bogie Busters, Bobcat of New Hampshire and everybody who worked so hard to make last weekend’s event such a success. With perfect weather conditions on Saturday and sunshine for most of Sunday, fans turned out in big numbers to enjoy the high-flying excitement of snocross.
Teams and officials from RMR will now enjoy a weekend off before a trip to Farmington, NY, on Feb. 5-6, for the ISOC Eastern Nationals. For full results in all classes from Belmont or to learn more about RMR, visit them online at www.rockmaple.com.
by Jay | Jan 26, 2010 | ACT
Waterbury, VT – The American Canadian Tour (ACT) announced today that Bond Auto Parts, a family run business since 1956 with 37 locations throughout Vermont and New Hampshire, will become the title sponsor of the 2010 ACT 4 event series for the “Tiger Sportsman” division, known as the Bond Auto/WIX Tiger Sportsman Tour.
The Sportsman division is a Limited Late Model car, which has been a mainstay of Thunder Road Speedbowl in Barre, VT, the home of Bond Auto.
“We are really happy to be able to support this ACT division, which will appear in several markets that we service,” said Mark Mast, Vice President of Marketing for Bond. “Our employees have been great fans of ACT and Thunder Road over the years, as well as all the regional race tracks. This series of 100 lap events for the popular ACT Tiger Sportsmen seemed like a great fit for some of our marketing needs, and allows us to show support for the racers that have always supported our Bond Auto locations.”
Bond Auto has a long history with the ACT flagship track, Thunder Road. “When we were asked to take Thunder Road back from the bank in 1980, it was Bond Auto that jumped on board to help us. They have remained not only loyal corporate partners throughout the years, but great fans as well,” said Tom Curley, President of ACT.
In 2010, Bond will also become the entitlement sponsor of the Tiger Sportsman division at all Thunder Road events. The division will be known as the Bond Auto Tiger Sportsman division. Bond Auto is the entitlement sponsor of one of the most historic races held at Thunder Road for the American Canadian Tour, the Bond Auto Labor Day Classic.
Brendan Moodie from Wolcott, VT, a long time veteran of the Tiger division said, “This is just great. I love going to different tracks and this division always seems to have a huge number of guys that can win on any given day. That is what makes it so much fun. This series of four races should be fun for the teams and fans, I can’t wait until the snow gets out of here and we can start racing again.”
The BOND Auto/WIX Tiger Sportsman Tour will open at White Mountain Motorsport Park on Saturday, June 05, 2010 with the first of four 100-lap events the series will run. Thunder Road will host a holiday 100-lap event on Thursday, July 01, 2010. The BOND Auto/WIX Tiger Sportsman Tour will visit Canaan Fair Speedway on Saturday, August 21, 2010, and the Champion will be crowned on Saturday, October 09, 2010 at the new Riverside Speedway in Groveton, NH.
Jun 05 White Mountain 100
Jul 01 Thunder Road 100
Aug 21 Canaan Fair 100
Oct 09 Riverside, NH 100
by Jay | Jan 26, 2010 | NASCAR, NASCAR K&N Pro Series, New England
All-Star Team For All-Star Showdown
Boucenna And Logano In Fadden Racing Entries
North Haverhill, N.H. (January 24, 2010): Fadden Racing will showcase an All-Star lineup when they arrive in California next week for the NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown on January 29-30 at Irwindale Speedway. Joey Logano will be joined by Willy Boucenna in making up the two-car team at the post season event.
Paris, France native Willy Boucenna, the 2009 RACECAR Series Champion, has been slated to be behind the wheel of a Fadden Racing entry. The RACECAR Series is based on stock car racing in the United States, but the cars are re-engineered to meet the demands of European tracks. Similar to NASCAR, the RACECAR Series uses Dodge, Chevrolet, and Ford bodies with a 450 hp V-8 engine.
“This will be my first trip in the USA. I know that it will be very difficult to race against the best drivers in NASCAR but I will live my dream as much as I can and do my best to qualify for the main race,” said 18-year-old Boucenna. “I know that we have a very good team with Fadden Racing and (car-owner) Mike Olsen will help me a lot for this first race on a short-track.”
Boucenna is the first driver from France to ever enter the Showdown, and Olsen is determined to get him into the field.
“Willy doesn’t have a guaranteed starting position, but Fadden Racing is going to do everything they can to make sure he has the car to get into that field. It’s an exciting opportunity for Willy and we’re all very excited to be a part of it,” said Olsen, a two-time NASCAR K&N Pro Series Champion.
Earlier this month, it was also announced that Fadden Racing will field a car for NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Joey Logano, who will display his familiar orange and white color scheme for primary sponsor Home Depot. Logano, a previous winner of the event (2007), will have Fadden Racing’s Harry Norcross joining Logano’s Nationwide Series crew chief, Kevin Kidd, in the effort.
“Joey almost won last year and he has a very good chance of winning the Showdown this year,” said Olsen. “It’s amazing the caliber of drivers that will make up Fadden Racing next weekend. We can’t wait to get to the track and get to work with these guys.”
Logano almost won last year’s Showdown, but got tangled up with Peyton Sellers on the last lap. He’s hoping to regain the Showdown trophy this year with the help of Fadden Racing.
“We are really excited to have The Home Depot on board with us for the weekend,” Logano said. “Mike Olsen from Fadden Racing stepped up and is going to provide us a solid car for the weekend. I had a lot of fun last year and we are going try and get the trophy back this year.”
The seventh running of the NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown, which brings together the top racers from across North America, will be highlighted by the 225-lap K&N Pro Series All-star race. Each race winner during the 2009 K&N Pro Series season is eligible for a protected starting spot, as are the 2009 champions from each of NASCAR’s six regional touring series and the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series national champion.
In addition to eligible 2009 race winners and series champions, the starting lineup will be determined through time trials, limited provisionals for K&N Pro Series regulars, and the last-chance “Open” race that provides drivers one final chance to make the grid.
Both nights of racing will be televised live on SPEED and will also air live on SIRIUS NASCAR Radio.
For more information on Fadden Racing, visit www.faddenracing.net.
by Jay | Jan 23, 2010 | ACT
Waterbury, VT – The Kendall Roberts-owned Vermont National Guard team of veteran driver John Donahue filed the first full season entry for the American Canadian Tour (ACT) 2010 season. There was plenty of excitement following the recent 2009 Banquet of Champions, and ACT headquarters received the Donahue entry 24 hours after the entry forms were sent this week.
“We are very excited about taking a run for the title this year,” said car owner Kendall Roberts. “We really came together as a team around TD Bank 250 time last season when Dale Shaw started giving us a hand, and John and the team have been very busy getting things freshened for the 2010 season. Everyone is excited about our new car, and we still get charged up about weekly racing at Thunder Road. We will be ready as soon as spring gets here,” concluded Roberts. The Donahue team is only one of three teams that ran the entire ACT US Tour and a full weekly schedule at Thunder Road in 2009. Jamie Fisher of Shelburne, VT and Eric Chase of Milton, VT were the other drivers to tackle both schedules in 2009, and are expected to do the same in 2010.
The National Guard team took advantage of the ‘big shows’ last year to make a racing statement to the Late Model teams in the region. An impressive third place at Oxford, Maine during the TD Bank 250 started the march to the front for the Graniteville, VT team. Donahue thinks of the Oxford oval as kind of his second ‘home track’. Several years ago he raced weekly at the famous speed plant. The next two months were highlighted with outstanding ACT Tour finishes — a 4th at Waterford, CT, 2nd at Twin State in Claremont, NH, and a 2nd at the Bond Labor Day Classic 200 at Thunder Road in Barre, VT finished the summer season. A solid run to 5th in the first ACT Invitational on the mile at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in September turned many heads. Closing the season a week later on the ¼ mile high banks of Thunder Road by capturing the $10,000 to win 47th annual Chittenden Milk Bowl was the highlight of the season for the National Guard team.
Karl Allard from Ste. Felicien, QC, driver for the Quebec City-based Larue Industries Racing team has filed the first full season entry for the Série ACT Castrol. In 2010 the popular series will run at five different tracks throughout the Province of Quebec.
Allard, a world class snowmobile racer, is a perennial challenger for the ACT title. A former ADL Series Champion in Quebec, Allard is one of the most respected drivers on both sides of the border. “We really want to win an ACT title one of these years, and I think 2010 just might be our year,” said Allard. He has qualified for every ACT Castrol event over the past three years and has completed the most laps of any driver. Allard finished 5th, 2nd and 3rd during the past three ACT Castrol Series campaigns. The Larue team often competes in the US, including the Oxford 250 and had a solid top five run going at New Hampshire Motor Speedway during the first ACT Invitational last September. He finished 12th in the all star field.
“We have announced very good schedules for our competitors on both sides of the border for 2010,” said the ACT Media Director and Statistician, Nick Bigelow. “It is great to see these early entrants. It is a sure sign that there is going to be some enthusiasm for both our tours, and it also means that spring and a new racing season is just around the corner.”
The ACT Tour will open on April 18th with the traditional Governor’s Cup 150 at the Lee USA Speedway in Lee, NH. The ACT Castrol Series opens outside Montreal at the Autodrome St. Eustache on May 22nd.
by Jay | Jan 23, 2010 | PASS
WINSTON-SALEM, NC (January 19) – Jeff and Jane Day’s New Day Motorsports LLC are proud to announce that veteran driver Brandon Ward will be the new driver of their #62 for the 2010 racing season. The New Day Motorsports team, along with Ward’s personal race team, Brandon Ward Racing (BWR), will join together to compete in the Pro All Stars Series (PASS) South Super Late Model division and will make a run at both the PASS South and PASS National Championships. Previously, BWR joined with the Cline Brothers’ team to win the 2006 UARA-STARS Late Model Championship. The BWR personnel bring extensive racing knowledge and experience that will only help strengthen New Day Motorsports. Ward’s 2010 Chevrolet Impala will be equipped with a Hamke Chassis and Five Star Bodies and powered by B & R Automotive. While primary sponsorship is still available, several fine associate sponsors will be returning including: Yarbrough Transfer Company, Rayco Safety Inc., Miller Welders, Old Town Jewelry & Pawn, Texas Pete Sauces, Hank Thomas Performance, Precision Built Spindle, and Oakley Paint.
Ward will also return to Mac Hill Motorsports for the 2010 USAR Pro Cup Series after a successful season that saw him win two races and finish fourth in points. Despite the challenge of competing in two different series in one season, Ward is excited about his chances with the PASS South Super Late Models. And, why shouldn’t he be? In his first start with New Day Motorsports at last year’s Howler 125 at the Greenville-Pickens Speedway, Ward finished 10th in a stellar field of Super Late Models.
“I’m really pumped to have this opportunity to drive the New Day Motorsports Chevrolet for the entire 2010 season,” said Ward. “Jeff [Day] and I worked great together last year with my Pro Cup car and I’m glad we’ve been able to put this deal together. Of all the cars I’ve driven over the years, it’s just been a blast to drive these PASS Super Late Models. The yellow #62 of New Day Motorsports is one of the most recognizable cars in PASS South and I’m honored Jeff asked me to drive it. I think we’ve got a great shot at some championships and I can’t wait to get to New Smyrna in a couple of weeks to take that first PASS checkered flag for New Day Motorsports.”
With the addition of Brandon Ward to the New Day Motorsports team, car owner Jeff Day hopes this takes his team to the next level.
“Brandon and I are both from Winston-Salem and I’ve been impressed with him for a number of years,” said Day. “In everything Brandon’s ever driven, he’s been a winner. As soon as we got the chance to work together last year, our communication was right on target. I think Brandon will compliment the great roster of drivers PASS already has and I know he will give us the opportunity to join the elite teams and compete for wins and championships.”
Brandon Ward’s racing career started in Go-Karts in 1989 where he won multiple championships over the next ten years. Ward then moved to the NASCAR Goody’s Dash Series finishing a career high third in points in 2004. Ward won three races in his NASCAR Goody’s Dash Series career at Bristol Motor Speedway, Motordrome Speedway, and Kentucky Speedway. From there, Ward moved on to the UARA-STARS Late Model Stock series where he won the championship in 2006. After winning Rookie-Of-The-Year honors and the Most Popular Driver Award in the 2007 USAR Pro Cup Series, Ward continues to be a threat for victory lane.
New Day Motorsports has been an integral part of the PASS South Series since 2006. With former driver Mark Gibson behind the wheel, the team scored its best finish with the series in the 2008 Piedmont Pride 125 at the Caraway Speedway, finishing fourth after leading the most laps. New Day Motorsports and Gibson finished in the top ten in PASS South points in 2007 and 2008 and finished second in the 2009 PASS National Series behind champion Ben Rowe.
New Day Motorsports first chance at a checkered flag in 2010 is right around the corner with the inaugural Florida Winterfest on January 29-30 at the New Smyrna Speedway in New Smyrna Beach, FL. For more information please visit newdaymotorsports.com or brandonwardracing.com.
The Pro All Stars Series is on line at www.proallstarsseries.com .
by Jay | Jan 18, 2010 | New
Morin sweeps Pro finals at XTown for Rock Maple Racing snocross series
Brunelle, Todd split Semi-Pro classes
MIRABEL, Quebec (Jan. 18, 2010) — Any time you host a snowmobile race in the province of Quebec, the natives make a little extra effort to win in front of the home crowd.
And when it’s a points race in front of a huge audience just outside Montreal, that effort goes up a notch.
Although Mathieu Morin has gone on to achieve a great deal outside of his hometown of Val-D’Or, his desire to win at home has never been stronger. Morin swept the Pro finals over the weekend, as Rock Maple Racing (RMR) completed Round 3 (Pro and Semi-Pro teams) on the 2009-10 snocross schedule Sunday afternoon at XTown.
Last weekend’s race drew the top snocross riders in the eastern U.S. and Canada to the popular motocross venue. Sunday’s action was capped by a $2,250-to-win “Dash for Cash” for the Pro riders, won by Dave Allard of St. Felecien. With the top riders from SCM, CSRA and RMR, fans enjoyed plenty of aggressive, side-by-side racing both days.
The track at Mirabel was much larger than what RMR teams are used to, with lap times of over one minute. The big jumps and challenging downhill section required finesse and focus for racers to succeed.
For Rock Maple teams, points were awarded on Saturday for Stock classes while Open classes earned points on Sunday. Morin (Ingles Performance/Ski-doo) went wire-to-wire in Saturday’s Pro Stock final, with Bobby LePage (Hulten Speed Sports/Polaris) second and defending champion Danny Poirier third. While LePage worked his way forward after a slow start, Morin simply checked out. After Poirier’s domination last year, Morin is replacing frowns with smiles on the faces of Ski-doo racing directors.
Corin Todd (D&Z Racing/Ski-doo) continued his 2010 hot streak north of the border. Todd, of Otego, NY, held off a hard-charging Lucas Brunelle for top honors in Semi-Pro Stock. Ash Woskob finished a solid third, with Lincoln Lemieux and SCM regular Pierre Fillion completing the top five.
Sunday’s finals brought more of the same for Morin, as he completed the sweep in Pro Open. After nailing the holeshot, Morin blasted into another time zone as LePage tried to run him down. The Minnesota native ran out of time and settled for second, while Allard claimed third. With two native sons on the podium, the fans cheered so loud you could have heard them in Sherbrooke.
In the Semi-Pro Open final, Brunelle, who lives just 40 minutes from the track and had practiced there prior to the race, dominated with a flag-to-flag victory in front of the Quebec faithful. Lemieux put on a whale of show in pursuit but ran out of time, while RMR veteran Michael George came home third. The Semi-Pro riders from Rock Maple looked impressive against the SCM regulars, grabbing the hardware on their visit to Canada.
Several other RMR regulars made the trip to Mirabel last weekend to stay sharp and hone their skills. On Saturday, Leo and Hunter Patenaude both earned a win in Junior competition. And on Sunday, Leo Patenaude won the Sport Stock 600 final.
Other RMR regulars who raced in Mirabel include Chris Ingles, who put in a career-best performance in the Sport division; Brennan Berardo, Jason Stone, Renaud Alexandre, Garret Mees, Robert Graeber, Cody Flach, Joe Lemieux, Steffanie Lemieux, Montana Jess, Melanie Acker, Wade Acker, Paige Calderwood, Daryl Nutting, Danny Graves, Jarett Catlin, Andrew Collins and Tim Randall. While they weren’t racing for points, every rider in the support divisions gave it their all at Mirabel.
RMR would like to extend a since thanks to Marcel Fontaine of SCM and the staff at XTown for hosting such a world-class event. Next up for teams here in the states is the debut of snocross at The Lodge at Belmont, Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 23-24. Located on the site of a former dog racing facility, The Lodge at Belmont will offer amenities for fans not seen at most winter motorsports events.
For full results in all classes from Mirabel, please go to www.scmracing.com. For more information about Rock Maple Racing, go to www.rockmaple.com.
by Jay | Jan 16, 2010 | ACT, Canada, New England
South Burlington, VT – American Canadian Tour (ACT) Late Model stock car Champion Brian Hoar of Williston was honored for his sixth career ACT Late Model Tour Championship on Saturday, January 16 at the Sheraton-Burlington Hotel and Conference Center in South Burlington, VT. Hoar currently holds the record for the most career wins in ACT Late Model Tour history with 25, including back-to-back wins at Beech Ridge Motor Speedway and Waterford Speedbowl in 2010. These wins, plus 11 top tens in 13 starts, helped Hoar edge out runner-up Scott Payea. Hoar was joined by over 500 teams, fans and officials as he celebrated his first championship with new car owner Rick Paya. Paya also has previous ACT Tour championships as a crew chief and car owner with Jean-Paul Cyr.
The 41st Annual MacTavish Award was given to New Hampshire Motor Speedway (NHMS) for their contribution to Northeast stock car racing. The prestigious MacTavish Award is named for legendary New England racer Don MacTavish who was killed in 1969 while racing at Daytona International Speedway. In 2010, NHMS hosted the first annual ACT Invitational, which invited 36 of the best Late Model competitors from around the region. It was the showcase event for ACT Late Model competition during the 2010 season.
Thunder Road International Speedbowl crowned Milton’s Jean-Paul Cyr as the 2009 50th Anniversary Season “King of the Road.” The seven-time ACT Late Model Tour Champion took a break from the touring scene in 2009 and set his sights on the 50th Anniversary Season title. He joined forces with car owner Joey Laquerre and crew chief Jeff Laquerre. Cyr used his Times Argus Mid-Season Championship win to beat “Senator” Phil Scott for the championship.
The NAPA Tiger Sportsman title went to Williamstown’s Jimmy Hebert in just his third season. Hebert also scored the first feature win of his career in 2009. The 2009 Tiger Sportsman Tri-State Series Championship was won by Morrisonville, New York’s Shawn Duquette. Duquette tied Jason Bonnett for the title, but used his two victories to win the tie breaker. Veteran Gary Mullen of Tunbridge took the top Allen Lumber Street Stock honors. Donnie Yates of North Montpelier won the Power Shift Junkyard Warriors title.
Over $85,000 plus trophies were awarded to the top teams in all divisions of Thunder Road and the ACT Tours for their efforts during the 2009 season.
The second annual ACT Crew Chief of the Year Award went to John Doiron. Doiron was the crew chief for his son, Joey, who won the ACT Rookie of the Year Award for 2009. John was recognized for his hard work, dedication, enthusiasm and attitude on the ACT Tour and the continual improvement of the Berwick, Maine Doiron race team.
A new award was created this year in memory of Pete Hartt, who covered the American-Canadian Tour and Thunder Road during his time with WDEV Radio and as the sports editor for the Times Argus. The Pete Hartt Memorial Media Award was presented to WCAX sports anchor Seth Leavitt for his support of regional stock car racing.
Troy Germain, “The Voice of ACT” from St. Johnsbury received the Ken Squier Award. Germain was presented the award for his hard work and dedication as the ACT Tour and Thunder Road announcer.
The Gordon R. Nielsen Rookie Achievement Award went to Hyde Park’s Tucker Williams. Williams is the 2009 Allen Lumber Street Stock Rookie of the Year and led the division with four wins. His first career feature win came on opening day of 2009 in his first feature start. Other rookies that qualified for the award were from the ACT Tour, Joey Doiron of Berwick, Maine along with Thunder Road Late Models, Dylan Smith from Randolph and NAPA Tiger Sportsman, Erik Steel of Barre.
Sportsmanship and Most Improved driver awards were presented for all divisions based on driver and official voting. ACT Late Model Tour winners were Chip Grenier of Graniteville for the Sportsmanship Award and Graniteville’s John Donahue for Most Improved. Thunder Road Late Model awards went to Brooks Clark from Fayston for Sportsman and Cambridge’s Craig Bushey for Most Improved. The Thunder Road Sportsman awards were presented to Wolcott’s Brendan Moodie for Sportsmanship and Bradford’s Derrick O’Donnell for Most Improved.
The Ed Carroll Memorial Award for Sportsmanship in the Street Stocks was awarded to Craftsbury’s Mike Martin. The Junkyard Warrior Sportsmanship Award was given to Cabot’s Ken Christman.
The 2010 ACT Late Model Tour season will kick off on Sunday, April 18 at Lee USA Speedway in Lee, NH. Thunder Road will open its gates for the first time on Sunday, May 2 for the 12th annual Merchants Bank 150. For complete schedules and more information visit www.acttour.com or www.thunderroadspeedbowl.com.
