–by T.J. Ingerson (@TJIngerson)
VMM Editor

THOMPSON, Conn. — Derek Ramstrom loves Thompson Speedway and he showed it on Friday night.

The Worcester, Mass. driver drove to the lead from an eighth place starting spot and dominated the second half of the Granite State Pro Stock Series 60-lap event during Sunoco World Series weekend to claim the win.

The win for Ramstrom was his second Granite State Pro Stock win at Thompson during the World Series.

“It’s incredible. I love this place,” Ramstrom, a multi-time Thompson Pro Stock champion, said. “I miss racing here weekly. Every time we come here we’re a top-three car.

“I absolutely love this place.”

Ramstrom picked his way through the field from eighth during the first 30 laps of the event and had moved into fourth by lap 15. From there, Ramstrom jumped to third and began a battle for the lead with race leader Eddie MacDonald and second place Derek Griffith.

Ramstrom moved into second as he followed Griffith past MacDonald just before the midway point of the event. A lap 31 restart saw Ramstrom move past Griffith to take the lead for keeps and zoom away.

“It was extremely close in the beginning,” Ramstrom said. “I was just trying to be patience. Sixty laps doesn’t sound long, but it is here. I just maintained a steady pace and at the right time I just closed the door and never looked back.

“Derek Griffith is no slouch. He’s a fierce competitor. I had to save my stuff the best I could. After halfway, I let it rip and I didn’t look back.”

Griffith, of Hudson, N.H., took the lead early from MacDonald but settle in to second when MacDonald reclaimed the lead following a restart. He led for three laps after he took the lead from MacDonald on lap 29 until he surrendered it to Ramstrom.

Tommy O’Sullivan held off Brad Babb to finish third while Babb settled for fourth. Capital district New York racer Mike Scorzelli completed the top-five finishers.

Woody Pitkat ran back from multiple pit stops to finish sixth while Jake Vanada finished seventh. Championship contender Scott MacMichael battled back from a flat tire and an incident on a lap 18 restart to finish eighth to close the championship gap. Kyle Casagrande and Long Island racer Kyle Soper completed the top-ten finishers.

MacDonald suffered a flat right-rear tire after he surrendered the lead and was forced to pit under the green flag. He finished 11th.

Championship point leader Mike O’Sullivan was also involved in the lap 18 restart. He finished 13th and saw his championship lead to MacMichael shrink with just one race remaining.

The Granite State Pro Stock Series will conclude their season on Saturday, October 21 at New London-Waterford Speedbowl.

VtMotorMag.com will have more from the Sunoco World Series at Thompson Speedway soon.

UNOFFICIAL RESULTS — Sunoco World Series 60
Granite State Pro Stock Series
Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park, Thompson, Conn.
Friday, October 13, 2017

Pos.-(Start)-Driver-Hometown

1. (8) Derek Ramstrom, Worcester, Mass.
2. (3) Derek Griffith, Hudson, N.H.
3. (9) Tommy O’Sullivan, Wilbraham, Mass.
4. (10) Brad Babb, Windham, Maine
5. (11) Mike Scorzelli, Feura Bush, N.Y.
6. (6) Woody Pitkat, Stafford, Conn.
7. (12) Jake Vanada, Somerset, Mass.
8. (4) Scott MacMichael, Newbury, N.H.
9. (20) Kyle Casagrande, Stafford Springs, Conn.
10. (2) Kyle Soper, Calverton, N.Y.
11. (1) Eddie MacDonald, Rowley, Mass.
12. (14) Josh King, Vernon, Vt.
13. (5) Mike O’Sullivan, Springfield, Mass.
14. (16) Devin O’Connell, Madison, Conn.
15. (13) Cory Casagrande, Stafford Springs, Conn.
16. (7) Nick Lascuola, Abington, Mass.
17. (18) Todd Owen, Somers, Conn.
18. (15) Barry Gray, Belchertown, Mass.
19. (17) Mike Mitchell, Cumberland, R.I.
20. (19) Greg Nanigian, Braintree, Mass.

PHOTO: Derek Ramstrom stands in victory lane following his Granite State Pro Stock Series win on Friday night at Thompson Speedway. (T.J. Ingerson/VMM photo)

The post Ramstrom Claims Pro Stock Win at Thompson World Series appeared first on VtMotorMag.com.

HEAT RACE LINEUPS — Sunoco World Series 75
ACT Late Model Tour
Thompson Speedway, Thompson, Conn.
Saturday, October 14, 2017

Pos.-Driver-Hometown

HEAT 1
1. Mark Jenison, Warwick, RI.
2. Woody Pitkat, Stafford, Conn.
3. Rich Dubeau, Lebanon, N.H.
4. John Warren, Chicopee, Mass.
5. Glenn Boss, Danielson, Conn.
6. Ray Christian, Norwich, Conn.
7. Jimmy Hebert, Williamstown, Vt.
8. Rowland Robinson Jr., Steuben, Maine
9. Jean-Francois Dery, Quebec, Que.
10. Vinnie Arrengado,

HEAT 2
1. Scott Payea, Milton, Vt.
2. John Lowinski-Loh, Milford, Mass.
3. Dillon Moltz, Waterford, Conn.
4. Ryan Morgan, Pawcatuck, Conn.
5. James Capps III, Penacook, N.H.
6. Tom Cary III, New Salem, Mass.
7. Jimmy Linardy, Somerville, Mass.
8. Ryan Kuhn, East Bridgewater, Mass.
9. William Wall, Shrewsbury, Mass.

HEAT 3
1. Mark Hudson, Norton, Mass.
2. Jared Materas, Westfield, Mass.
3. Josh Masterson, Bristol, Vt.
4. Jason Corliss, Barre, Vt.
5. Ray Parent, Tiverton, R.I.
6. Mike Benevides, Westerly, R.I.
7. Eddie MacDonald, Rowley, Mass.
8. C.J. McLaughlin, Bellingham, Mass.
9. Walter Sutcliffe Jr., East Haven, Conn.

The post ACT Heat Race Lineups appeared first on VtMotorMag.com.

STARTING LINEUP — Sunoco World Series 75
ACT Late Model Tour
Thompson Speedway, Thompson, Conn.
Saturday, October 14, 2017

Pos.-Driver

1. William Wall
2. Jimmy Hebert
3. Rowland Robinson Jr.
4. Glenn Boss
5. Eddie MacDonald
6. Jean-Francois Dery
7. Ray Parent
8. Woody Pitkat
9. Matt Lowinski-Loh
10. Dillon Moltz
11. Tom Carey III
12. Jason Corliss
13. Michael Benevides
14. Scott Payea
15. Josh Masterson
16. Rich Dubeau
17. Ryan Morgan
18. Jared Materas
19. Ray Christian III
20. Ryan Kuhn
21. Walter Sutcliffe Jr.
22. John Warren
23. Jimmy Linardy
24. CJ McLaughlin
25. Mark Jenison
26. James Capps
27. Mark Hudson
28. Vinnie Arrengado

The post ACT Sunoco World Series 75 Starting Lineup appeared first on VtMotorMag.com.

After Icebreaker PASS win, veteran driver dominates ACT World Series 75; Payea clinches 2017 title

–by T.J. Ingerson (@TJIngerson)
VMM Editor

THOMPSON, Conn. — Eddie MacDonald began his season in victory lane at Thompson Speedway. On Saturday night, he likely ended his season in victory lane at Thompson.

The Rowley, Mass. driver earned a dominating win in the 75-lap ACT Late Model Tour Sunoco World Series event on Saturday night. MacDonald had opened the season with a win in the Pro All Stars Series event at Thompson.

The win for MacDonald was his second ACT Late Model Tour win of the season and the ninth of his career.

“(Crew chief) Rollie (Lachance) and the guys really gave me a great car,” MacDonald said. “They worked hard all weekend long. They did a great job and it was fun to drive.”

MacDonald started the season finale in the fifth spot and had made his way into the second position by lap 10.

A lap 11 restart was the setup MacDonald used to take the lead for the first time from Thompson Late Model regular William Wall, who had led every lap to that point. However, a lap 13 caution and ensuing restart gave Wall the lead back.

MacDonald, however, was not fazed and dove back to Wall’s inside on lap 17 on the entry to turn one. A brief side-by-side battle ensued before MacDonald zoomed past to take the lead for keeps on lap 19.

The eventual race winner would hold on through four ensuing restarts with Quebec challenger Jean-Francois Dery to his outside and zoomed away through a long green flag run that ended the race.

“I was hoping that we’d get some green flag racing going,” MacDonald said. “Finally, that happened and we were able to pull away.”

As MacDonald pulled away following the race’s final restart on lap 27, Thompson regular Woody Pitkat moved into the second position. MacDonald, however, extended his lead to a half straightaway and maintained that until the checkered flag.

“Logger, my spotter, was really good,” MacDonald said. “He was letting me know what was going on with everyone. It was definitely a fun race.”

MacDonald entered the weekend looking for two race wins as he competed in the Granite State Pro Stock Series event on Friday night. His bid for the win in that event ended when he suffered a right-rear tire issue and was forced to pit.

“It makes up for last night,” MacDonald said. “We didn’t get a great finish.”

The ACT Invitational winner Pitkat, of Stafford, Conn., settled for second after he was able to get past Wall and Dery on the final restart of the event. Dery, of Quebec, held off Dillon Moltz over the final 45 laps to finish third.

Secod place point driver Moltz, of Waterford, Conn., finished fourth after started 11th, while his title counterpart Scott Payea of Milton, Vt. clinched the 2017 ACT Late Model Tour championship with a fifth place finish.

Wall, recently crowned Thompson Late Model champion Ray Parent, Glen Boss, and Tom Carey III finished sixth through ninth while Rowland Robinson Jr. battled back from a mid-race spin while he ran fourth to finish tenth.

VtMotorMag.com will have more from the Sunoco World Series of Speedway Racing at Thompson Speedway soon.

UNOFFICIAL RESULTS — Sunoco World Series 75
ACT Late Model Tour
Thompson Speedway, Thompson, Conn.
Saturday, October 14, 2017

Pos.-(Start)-Driver-Hometown

1. (5) Eddie MacDonald, Rowley, Mass.
2. (9) Woody Pitkat, Stafford, Conn.
3. (6) Jean-Francois Dery, Quebec, Que.
4. (11) Dillon Moltz, Waterford, Conn.
5. (15) Scott Payea, Milton, Vt.
6. (1) William Wall, Shrewsbury, Mass.
7. (7) Ray Parent, Tiverton, R.I.
8. (4) Glenn Boss, Danielson, Conn.
9. (12) Tom Carey III, New Salem, Mass.
10. (3) Rowland Robinson Jr., Steuben, Maine
11. (16) Josh Masterson, Bristol, Vt.
12. (2) Jimmy Hebert, Williamstown, Vt.
13. (13) Jason Corliss, Barre, Vt.
14. (8) Rich Dubeau, Lebanon, N.H.
15. (10) Matt Lowinski-Loh, Milford, Mass.
16. (19) Ray Christian III, Norwich, Conn.
17. (25) Mark Jenison, Warwick, R.I.
18. (22) John Warren, Chicopee, Mass.
19. (24) C.J. McLaughlin, Bellingham, Mass.
20. (27) Mark Hudson, Norton, Mass.
21. (17) Ryan Morgan, Pawcatuck, Conn.
22. (28) Vinny Arrengado, Warren, R.I.
23. (20) Ryan Kuhn, East Bridgewater, Mass.
24. (23) Jimmy Linardy, Somerville, Mass.
25. (18) Jared Materas, Westfield, Mass.
26. (14) Michael Benevides, Westerly, R.I.
27. (26) James Capps III, Penacook, N.H.
28. (21) Walter Sutcliffe Jr., East Haven, Conn.

PHOTO: Eddie MacDonald celebrates his Sunoco World Series ACT Late Model Tour 75 on Saturday night at Thompson Speedway. (T.J. Ingerson/VMM photo)

The post MacDonald Bookends Season in Thompson Victory Lane appeared first on VtMotorMag.com.

–by T.J. Ingerson (@TJIngerson)
VMM Editor

THOMPSON, Conn. — Scott Payea is no longer the bridesmaid.

After finishing runner-up four times for the ACT Late Model Tour championship, the Milton, Vt. driver captured his first series championship on Saturday night at Thompson Speedway.

“I felt like I was always going to be the bridesmaid and never the bride,” Payea said. “This season was just awesome with five wins. Every week we felt like we had a car to win. It was great.

“Other than a little bad luck at White Mountain, where we got tore up early, every week this team gave me a great race car and things finally came together.”

Payea set a new ACT Late Model Tour record with four straight wins. That four race run of wins allowed him to stretch his championship lead to an insurmountable advantage over championship runner-up Dillon Moltz. Payea picked up his fifth and final win of the season at Thunder Road in September.

In three races this season, Payea’s RPM Motorsports team faced adversity. Twice, they came out on top with race wins.

“It’s a testament to (car owner) Rick (Paya) as a crew chief,” Payea said. “He just coaches us so well and we don’t panic. We just keep working at it and battle back and take what the race will give us.

“We put ourselves in positions to capitalize and that’s what we did all year.”

Payea jumped to the ACT Late Model Tour in the 2005 season and earned runner-up championship finishes in 2007, 2008, and 2009. He lost the championship by one point in 2008.

He left the ACT Late Model Tour in 2010 due to funding and began to focus on weekly Late Model racing at Thunder Road Speedbowl. He stepped away from racing entirely following the 2013 season to focus more time on family. Payea returned following Brian Hoar’s retirement after the 2015 season and finish second in the championship last year.

“It’s really unbelievable. I never thought it would happen,” Payea said. “I stepped away and you think you’re never going to drive a top caliber car again. And then to have this opportunity.

“To be close last year and just put it all together this year. It’s a phenomenal feeling. It’s unreal.”

Payea’s name was first on Paya’s list when he had a driver vacancy following the 2015 season. The two now have eight race wins in 23 Tour starts together.

“Rick’s an amazing crew chief,” Payea said. “He’s always thinking and he’s great on the radio as my spotter as well. It’s easy to say myself and Rick, but there’s a whole crew of guys that show up every week and are in the shop.

“It’s easy to think the team has had success and they’ll continue, but we just work hard every week. I can’t thank them enough.”

For Paya, it was his ninth ACT Late Model Tour championship as a crew chief.

Payea began his racing career in the beginner Street Stock division at Airborne Park Speedway when it was run by the late American-Canadian Tour President Tom Curley. He continued up Curley’s ladder system into the Flying Tigers at Thunder Road and then to the Late Models in 2005.

“I miss Tom tremendously,” Payea said. “I’m a product of his system with the Street Stocks and the Tigers and then Late Models. If it wasn’t for his vision and making an affordable Late Model series I would have never gotten my start. I wouldn’t be here today.

“That man was phenomenal. He did so much for racing and my career. It wouldn’t have had the trajectory it has had without him.”

But for Payea, after many times trying, he can finally call himself a champion.

“It finally happened,” Payea said. “We got it done.

“We’re going to cherish this one.”

PHOTOS:
1 – Scott Payea celebrates his 2017 ACT Late Model Tour championship on Saturday night at Thompson Speedway. (T.J. Ingerson/VMM photo)
2 – Scott Payea and his Rick Paya-led RPM Motorsports team celebrate their 2017 ACT Late Model Tour championship on Saturday night at Thompson Speedway. (T.J. Ingerson/VMM photo)

The post Payea Finally an American-Canadian Tour Champion appeared first on VtMotorMag.com.

Full event schedule to be announced by January 1

(From track press release)

WEST HAVEN – Devil’s Bowl Speedway is getting back to basics, and that includes a return to Sunday night racing in 2018.  As the historic Vermont stock car racing facility undergoes the process of having its half-mile track converted from asphalt surface to natural clay, speedway management is working diligently on the format for the 52^nd season next summer.

The decision to race on Sundays was reached after gathering information from more than 120 race teams and analyzing more than 1,500 responses from an online public survey of fans.  Several adjustments will be made to the racing program in order to speed up the pace of the show and allow fans and competitors to arrive home at a reasonable time on Sunday night.

Among the time-saving plans are rotating schedules each week throughout the season for several divisions in which heat races are eliminated in exchange for extra-distance feature events, along with a rotation of occasional off-weeks for select classes.  In addition, a new format for victory lane ceremonies is expected to cut up to 20 minutes out of each show.

“Devil’s Bowl has traditionally been a Sunday-night track, but lifestyles and priorities have changed so much that we really wanted to dig deep and see if Sunday was still manageable,” Devil’s Bowl Speedway promoter Mike Bruno said.  “There was support for Saturday, but ultimately Sunday will be the best fit for the majority.  However, we feel a responsibility to get everyone home at a decent hour in time for the Monday work day, and we will make a big effort to get our shows done in three hours or less.”

Bruno also said that there is a strong possibility for a handful of special events on Saturday nights or on mid-week dates.  The full season schedule is expected to be announced before January 1.  Rulebooks for all divisions are being finalized and are expected by December 1.

Racing in weekly divisions will continue with sanctioning from the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series, marking the eighth consecutive year under the NASCAR banner at Devil’s Bowl Speedway.  Drivers will be eligible for track, state, and national championships, awards, and point fund money.  Kenny Tremont Jr. won the NASCAR Vermont State Championship and the Sportsman Modified track championship on the smaller 3/10-mile Dirt Track at Devil’s Bowl in 2017 and is expected to collect more than $6,000 for his efforts.

Devil’s Bowl Speedway is located on Route 22A in West Haven, Vt., four miles north of Exit 2 off of U.S. Route 4 and just 20 minutes from Rutland, Vt.  For more information, visit www.DevilsBowlSpeedwayVT.com or call (802) 265-3112.  Devil’s Bowl Speedway is on Facebook at facebook.com/DevilsBowlSpeedway and on Twitter and Instagram at @DevilsBowlSpeed; follow the action using the #DevilsBowl hashtag.

PHOTO: Devil’s Bowl Speedway will race Sunday nights on its new half-mile dirt track in 2018.  (Alan Ward photo)

The post Devil’s Bowl to Race on Sunday Nights in 2018 appeared first on VtMotorMag.com.

–by T.J. Ingerson (@TJIngerson)
VMM Editor

WATERBURY  — The two men who took over Thunder Road Speedbowl this season will take control of the American-Canadian Tour for 2018 and beyond.

Former racer Cris Michaud and real estate developer Pat Malone have taken ownership of the 31-year-old Vermont-based sanctioning body. The two took control of the famed quarter-mile oval in April this year.

“I am thrilled to be able, along with my partner Pat (Malone), to lead ACT forward,” Michaud was quoted in a press release issued. “Having work with and for Tom Curley, ACT has always represented to me the best in short track racing and I am excited about this acquisition.”

Curley died from complications of COPD in May and left the series to American-Canadian Tour Managing Director Darla Hartt. Hartt was the longtime American-Canadian Tour’s Vice President and General Manager until Curley’s passing.

“My decision to sell ACT is bittersweet,” Hartt said, “having worked with Tom (Curley) from the initial NASCAR North Tour in 1979 and then launching our own series in 1986.

“Over 38 years, we logged many thousands of miles and enjoyed so many adventures with incredible people. Everyone in our ACT family felt a huge loss in (Curley’s) passing, but the teams, fans, promoters, and officials who are ACT remain dedicated to the task of moving forward.

“Losing Tom last spring — who was both my business and life partner — and immediately proceeding to operate the Tour was a challenge.”

Michaud and Malone had a successful first season that saw the track undergo a repaving, as well as higher car counts and the addition of the entry-level, low-cost Road Warrior division.

“I admire the efforts Darla has made over the course of her career and especially since Tom’s passing with ACT,” Michaud said. “(I) appreciate the confidence she has in entrusting us with this iconic organization.”

“Tom Curley was very much a proponent of necessary change,” Hartt said. “When I was approached by Cris and Pat, I felt the passing of the torch at this point was a good decision for everyone involed.

“ACT is a special entity and I am pleased that the new ownership includes an individual who came up through our system. Cris Michaud raced with us at Thunder Road and on the Tour and then ultimately worked with us as an official.

“I trust that the American-Canadian Tour is in good hands and will continue to thrive going into the future.”

Michaud made 120 starts during his days on with the American-Canadian Tour and posted four wins. He finished third in the series standings in 2001.

For Michaud and Malone, they will begin to plan the 2018 ACT Late Model Tour season while doing so for their second season at the helm of Thunder Road ownership. Thunder Road officials state announcements regarding 2018 will be made before the Thanksgiving holiday.

“We anticipate sharing scheduling and other planning information for the 2018 ACT Tour in the next few weeks,” Michaud said.

VtMotorMag.com will have more on the sale of the American-Canadian Tour soon.

The post ACT Sold to Thunder Road Owners Michaud, Malone appeared first on VtMotorMag.com.

(From track press release)

BARRE — Thunder Road officials have announced the release of the 2018 schedule of events at the “Nation’s Site of Excitement”. Nineteen racing events are planned for the Barre high banks spanning late April until late September.

The 58th season of racing will open with the 20th annual Community Bank 150 on Sunday, April 29. The American-Canadian Tour (ACT) will make the first of two visits to Thunder Road in 2018. The Lenny’s Shoe & Apparel Flying Tigers, Allen Lumber Street Stocks, and Burnett Scrap Metals Road Warriors will kick off their seasons as well. The Thunder Road Late Model “King of the Road” chase will begin at the 56th Mekkelsen RV Memorial Day Classic on Sunday, May 27, which will again feature a visit from the Pro All Stars Series (PASS) Super Late Models.

Weekly competition gets underway with a special Friday night event on June 8. Thursday night events will begin on June 14 and run through August 23. Highlights of the Thunder Road summer of racing include the Aubuchon Hardware Holiday Spectacular on Tuesday, July 3; the Times Argus Mid-Season Championships on Thursday, July 19; the VP Racing Fuels Vermont Governor’s Cup on Thursday, July 26; and the 34th M&M Beverage Enduro 200 & Street Stock Special on Sunday, August 5. The Myers Container Services Triple Crown Series for the Flying Tigers will return in 2018 with dates to be announced.

The 2017 “King of the Road” will be crowned at the Thursday finale on August 23 as part of Jet Service Envelope/Accura Printing Night. The Flying Tigers and Street Stocks will crown their 2018 champions at the 40th Coca-Cola Labor Day Classic 200 on Sunday, September 2, which features the second visit of the year for the ACT Late Model Tour.

The season will conclude with the 56th Vermont Milk Bowl Weekend, which has been expanded to three days of competition in 2018. A special “Milk Bowl Friday” event will be held Friday, September 28. Details of the event will be announced shortly. Booth Bros./H.P. Hood Milk Bowl Qualifying Day is scheduled for Saturday, September 29 with the 56th Vermont Milk Bowl presented by Northfield Savings Bank on Sunday, September 30.

Season passes for the 2018 Thunder Road season are now available and can be ordered by contacting the Thunder Road offices at (802) 244-6963 or tb@thunderroadvt.com. For more information on the 2018 season, contact media@thunderroadvt.com or visit www.thunderroadvt.com.

2018 Thunder Road Speedbowl Schedule of Events
Event No.-Day-Event

— – Sat., April 28 — Downtown Barre Car Show & Practice
1 – Sun., April 29 — ACT Late Model Tour Community Bank 150
2 – Sun., May 27 — Mekkelsen RV Memorial Day Classic — PASS North 150
3 – Fri., June 8 — Regular Event
4 – Thurs., June 14 — Casella Waste Management Night — NEAR
5 – Thurs., June 21 — North Country Federal Credit Union Night
6 – Thurs., June 28 — Community College of Vermont Night
7 – Tues., July 3 — Aubuchon Hardware Holiday Spectacular
8 – Thurs., July 5 — Premium Mortgage Night
9 – Thurs., July 12 — Fairpoint Communications Night
10 – Thurs., July 19 — VP Racing Fuels Vermont Governor’s Cup 150
11 – Thurs., July 26 — Times Argus Mid-Season Championships
12 – Thurs., Aug. 2 — WDEV Radio/Calkins Portable Toilets Night
13 – Thurs., Aug. 5 — M&M Beverages Enduro 200 — Street Stock Special
14 – Thurs., Aug. 9 — Cody Chevrolet-Cadillac Night
15 – Thurs., Aug. 16 — U.S. Army Recruiting Night
16 – Thurs., Aug. 23 — Jet Service Envelope/Accura Printing
17 – Sun., Sept. 2 — ACT Late Model Tour Coca-Cola Labor Day Classic 200
18 – Fri., Sept 28 — Milk Bowl Friday Special Event
19 – Sat./Sun., Sept. 29/30 — 56th Northfield Savings Bank Milk Bowl

PHOTO: Thunder Road will host 19 racing events in 2018, beginning with the 20th Community Bank 150 on Sunday April 29 and concluding with the 56th Vermont Milk Bowl presented by Northfield Savings Bank on Sunday, September 30. (Alan Ward photo)

The post Thunder Road Announces 19-Event Schedule for 2018 Season appeared first on VtMotorMag.com.

Thunder Road, Thompson Speedway confirm 2018 dates

–by T.J. Ingerson (@TJIngerson)
VMM Editor

WATERBURY — How the 2018 ACT Late Model Tour season will look became a bit clearer this week.

Thunder Road Speedbowl and Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park both announced their 2018 schedules on Monday and will each host ACT Late Model Tour events.

Thunder Road will again serve as the ACT Late Model Tour’s “home” tracks after Thunder Road track owners Cris Michaud and Pat Malone took ownership of the series just two weeks ago. As in 2017, Thunder Road will host two Tour events, the track lid-lifter Community Bank 150 on Sunday, April 29 and the end-of-summer Coca-Cola Labor Day Classic 200 on Sunday, September 2.

The ACT Late Model Tour championship will be decided again at Thompson Speedway for the fourth straight year as part of the Sunoco World Series of Speedway Racing. That event will take place on Saturday, October 13 as part of three-day event that features the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, International Supermodified Association, Valenti Modified Racing Series, Northeast Midget Association, Granite State Pro Stock Series, Northeast Mini Stock Tour, and Thompson NASCAR Whelen All-American Series divisions.

This past season, Scott Payea twice overcame early race incidents to claim wins at Thunder Road that helped propel him to his first series championship. Eddie MacDonald earned a dominating win at Thompson in October.

Bobby Therrien picked up the win at Thompson in 2016 while Brian Hoar announced he was stepping away from the driver’s seat after his 2015 win.

“Since switching to the ACT Late Model rules package, our Late Model division car counts have nearly tripled, and fans have been thrilled with the exciting wheel-to-wheel racing that takes place in the division,” Thompson Speedway General Manager Josh Vanada said. “It was a pleasure for us to fulfill one of Tom Curley’s wishes to bring the American-Canadian Tour to Thompson for their championship event.

“Each October, we welcome them back to crown their champion, which has become an annual privilege for us. We look forward to continuing the great tradition under Cris Michaud and Pat Malone’s ownership.”

For Thunder Road, the 2018 season continues the longstanding relationship between the track and series since the founding of the ACT Late Model Tour in 1992. Thunder Road has hosted 68 races since the series inception and has produced 33 different winners. That is 20 more than the next track, Airborne Park Speedway, and more than double the next active asphalt track, Oxford Plains Speedway.

White Mountain Motorsports Park is the next current ACT Late Model Tour track with 27 races. The track is expected to hold at least one ACT Late Model Tour event in 2018 as they have done since 1998.

Beech Ridge Motor Speedway and Seekonk Speedway, two tracks that held ACT Late Model Tour races one year ago, have published tentative 2018 schedules that do not have a scheduled ACT Late Model Tour date. Beech Ridge has scheduled a Valenti Modified Racing Series event in place of last year’s scheduled ACT event while Seekonk will run a Monster Truck Madness event.

Serie ACT Quebec director M.P. Roy informed VtMotorMag.com that he is currently looking at a 10-race schedule for 2018.

Series officials state they hope to have the complete 2018 scheduled released within the coming weeks.

PHOTO: Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park will once again host the ACT Late Model Tour season finale in 2018. (Alan Ward photo)

The post ACT Late Model Tour 2018 Schedule Taking Shape appeared first on VtMotorMag.com.

(From series press release)

WATERBURY, Vermont — American-Canadian Tour (ACT) officials have announced the 2018 schedule of events for the ACT Late Model Tour. Ten events are scheduled at seven tracks located in four different U.S. states.

As has been custom in recent years, the 2018 ACT Late Model Tour season is scheduled to open with the New Hampshire Governor’s Cup 150 at Lee USA Speedway in Lee, N.H. on Sunday, April 15. The series will then head to Barre, Vt.’s Thunder Road Speedbowl on Sunday, April 29 for the 20th Community Bank 150.

Thunder Road is one of three tracks that will host two ACT Late Model Tour events in 2018. ACT will return to Thunder Road on Sunday, September 2 for the 40th Coca-Cola Labor Day Classic 200. The ninth event on the schedule will also be the longest event of the season.

The other two tracks hosting multiple events in 2018 are tracks that return to the ACT schedule after a one-season absence. Maine’s Oxford Plains Speedway will hold a pair of 150-lap ACT events, which will be the third and eighth events on the schedule. The first event is scheduled for Sunday, May 20, while the second event will be run on Saturday, August 25 as part of Oxford 250 Weekend. They will be the only events held in the state of Maine.

Groveton, N.H.’s Speedway 51 will be the third track to hold two ACT events next season. The Caron Fabrication 151 will be held on Saturday, June 2 followed by the J.P. Sicard Inc. & Kingdom Gravel 151 on Saturday, July 14. They will be the fourth and sixth events, respectively, on the ACT schedule.

Connecticut’s New London-Waterford Speedbowl will also return to the ACT schedule in 2018 with a 150-lap event on Saturday, June 16. The Tour will make its annual visit to N. Woodstock, N.H.’s White Mountain Motorsports Park for the White Mountain 150 on Saturday, August 4.

After the Labor Day event at Thunder Road, ACT will crown its champion in the season-ending World Series 75 at Connecticut’s Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park on Saturday, October 13 as part of the Sunoco World Series of Speedway Racing.

ACT rules and license applications for the 2018 season are now available at www.acttour.com. For more information, contact the ACT offices at (802) 244-6963 or media@acttour.com.

2018 ACT Late Model Tour Schedule
Event-Date-Track

1 – Sun., April 15 – Lee USA Speedway (150)
2 – Sun., April 29 – Thunder Road Speedbowl (150)
3 – Sun., May 20 – Oxford Plains Speedway (150)
4 – Sat., June 2 – Speedway 51 (151)
5 – Sat., June 16 – New London-Waterford Speedbowl (150)
6 – Sat., July 14 – Speedway 51 (151)
7 – Sat. Aug. 4 – White Mountain Motorsports Park (150)
8 – Sat., Aug. 25 – Oxford Plains Speedway (150)
9 – Sun., Sept. 2 – Thunder Road Speedbowl (200)
10 – Sat., Oct. 13 – Thompson Speedway (75)

PHOTO: The ACT Late Model Tour will hold a 10-race championship series in 2018, opening the season with the NH Governor’s Cup 150 at Lee USA Speedway on Sunday, April 15. (Alan Ward photo)

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Longtime fixture Gallison steps down

–by T.J. Ingerson (@TJIngerson)
VMM Editor

WATERBURY — Longtime crew chief Pete Knights has been named as the Director of Competition for the ACT Late Model Tour the series announced on last week.

Knights will replace longtime American-Canadian Tour fixture Dean Gallison, who stepped down from the role at the conclusion of the 2017 race season. Gallison will retain his Director of Competition position at Thunder Road.

“We are very thankful to Dean for his many years of service to ACT,” Cris Michaud, American-Canadian Tour co-owner, said. “He brought a lot to the organization and leaves some big shoes to fill.

“That being said, we are happy to have Pete coming on board and believe he will be an asset to ACT for the 2018 season and for years to come.”

Knights has been crew chief of both veteran racers Stacy Cahoon and Randy Potter. Knights was named the 2008 ACT Crew Chief of the Year as the lead wrench for Potter.

“Being asked to join ACT as the Director of Competition is a great honor for me,” Knights said in a press release issued by American-Canadian Tour officials. “I hope to carry on what Dean and his crew have established with keeping cars and crews on a level playing field for the fans to enjoy.

“I’m looking forward to working with all the drivers and crews, as well as Cris Michaud and the entire ACT organization.”

Most recently, Knights served as Head Technical Inspector at White Mountain Motorsports Park, a role has held since 2013.

The 2018 ACT Late Model Tour season will open on Sunday, April 15 at Lee USA Speedway.

PHOTO: Pete Knights (right), seen talking with seven-time ACT champion Jean-Paul Cyr, was named the new Director of Competition for the ACT Late Model Tour last week. (Photo courtesy Bob Bigelow)

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NEMST to make first appearance since 2013

–by T.J. Ingerson (@TJIngerson)
VMM Editor

BARRE — Super Late Models will roar at Thunder Road twice in 2018.

Track officials announced on Thursday that the PASS North Super Late Models will compete on Friday, September 28 as part of the previously announced “Milk Bowl Friday” event that takes place during the 56th Northfield Savings Bank Milk Bowl weekend. The series will also compete at on Sunday, May 27 as part of the Memorial Day Classic.

The North East Mini Stock Tour will join the PASS North Super Late Models for their first visit since 2013.

The V8 Street Stock Showdown Series and Thunder Road’s Burnett Scrap Metal Road Warriors will also compete on Friday night.

“We’re really excited about adding a third day of competition to Vermont Milk Bowl Weekend,” Thunder Road co-owner Cris Michaud said. “We’re looking forward to having the PASS Super Late Models and North East Mini Stock Tour be a part of it.

“The Vermont Milk Bowl has always been the biggest weekend on the Thunder Road calendar. By adding two of the top touring series in the region, along with the Street Stock Showdown Series, we hope to make it one of the biggest weekends on the Northeast motorsports calendar.”

The Pro All Stars Series Super Late Models will compete under-the-lights for the first time at Thunder Road for 150 laps. The North East Mini Stock Tour will compete in a 50-lap event.

Joey Doiron, Glen Luce, and D.J. Shaw have claimed the three previous PASS North Super Late Models wins at the track while Louis Maher won the lone North East Mini Stock Tour event.

Post time for the Friday night event will be set for 6:00pm. The 56th Northfield Savings Bank Milk Bowl will take place the following two days, on Saturday, September 29 and Sunday, September 30, with the Late Models headlining the three-segment event.

(Alan Ward photo)

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NORTH WOODSTOCK, N.H. — White Mountain Motorsports Park released their 2018 schedule today and revealed a big Late Model event that will close out their season. 

The two-day show will feature a 250-lap, $5,000-to-win Late Model event that will headline the event on Saturday and Sunday, September 15th and 16th.

NAPA Auto Parts will sponsor the weekend and will be known as the NAPA Blue & Gold 250 Weekend. The event will close out the track’s 25th season of operation.

“This is going to be an incredible weekend at (White Mountain)”, David Avery, White Mountain Motorsports Park General Manager, said. “We wanted to have a giant celebration for our 25th anniversary and I am proud to announce that this is bigger than I even imagined.”

The Pro All Stars Series North Super Late Models will headline Saturday’s event with a 150-lap event.

Also featured on the two-day show will be two 75-lap Tiger segments, while each of White Mountain’s regular divisions will take part in one day of the event. Monster Trucks will also be on hand.

White Mountain’s regular season will also feature a visit from the ACT Late Model Tour on Saturday, August 4 and an appearance by the Granite State Pro Stock Series on Saturday, July 28.

The Foley Oil & Propane 100 will take place on Saturday, June 30 and will be part of the track’s Independence Day celebration that will feature a 75-lap Tiger event and fireworks.

White Mountain’s 2018 season will open on Saturday, May 12. 

The post WMMP Announces NAPA Blue & Gold 250 Weekend appeared first on VtMotorMag.com.

(From track press release)

BARRE – Thunder Road officials have announced that Myers Container Service has signed a multi-year agreement to return as the title sponsor of the Triple Crown Series for the Lenny’s Shoe & Apparel Flying Tigers. The series debuted in 2017 with Craftsbury Common’s Mike Martin capturing the inaugural championship.

The Myers Container Service Triple Crown Series in 2018 will once again consist of three 75-lap races for Thunder Road’s famed Flying Tiger division. All three events will award both Myers Container Service Triple Crown Series points and Lenny’s Shoe & Apparel Flying Tiger track championship points. There will be a separate championship and point fund for the top finishers in the final Triple Crown standings.

The first Triple Crown event will headline the 2018 weekly racing opener on Friday, June 8 as part of Capital City Auto Mart Night, while the second event will be held on Thursday, July 12 during Fairpoint/Consolidated Communications Night. The Triple Crown championship will be awarded Thursday, August 9 on Cody Chevrolet Cadillac Night.

“The Red Can Family is once again excited to sponsor the Triple Crown Series,” Myers Waste & Recycling owner Jeff Myers said. “As a local family business we are proud to support another local organization. I have enjoyed attending races at Thunder Road since I was a kid and I am proud to pass along my excitement for racing to my children and now my grandchildren.”

“We’re thrilled to be holding the Triple Crown Series again and are fortunate to have the support of Myers Container Service,” Thunder Road co-owner Cris Michaud added. “The series was well-received by drivers and fans in 2017, and with a large class of new drivers anticipated in the Flying Tigers, we are looking forward to even bigger things in 2018 and beyond.”

Myers Container Service is a leading waste removal and no-sort recycling company with offices in Colchester, Moretown, and St. Johnsbury. They provide residential, commercial, industrial, and roll-off services throughout the state of Vermont. In addition, Myers C&D Recycle Center in Colchester is the only state-certified construction and debris recycling center.

For more information, contact the Thunder Road offices at (802) 244-6963, media@thunderroadvt.com, or visit www.thunderroadvt.com or www.theredcanfamily.com.

(Alan Ward photo)

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(From track press release)

BARRE – Thunder Road officials announced today that they have signed a multi-year agreement with Maplewood Convenience Stores and Irving Oil to become the entitlement sponsors of the Thunder Road Late Model division. The agreement runs through the 2020 season and includes full naming rights to the track’s top auto racing class.

The Maplewood/Irving Late Models have been the lead division at Thunder Road since 1992 when the division was created. They were known at the time as the Late Model Sportsmen. The division competes under American-Canadian Tour (ACT) Late Model rules.

The addition of Maplewood and Irving marks the first time since 1998 that the Late Models have had a title sponsor. Maplewood previously sponsored the Late Model Semi-Feature and Triple Crown program from 2015 to 2017.

“We at Maplewood, along with our friends from Irving Oil, are so pleased with this new partnership,” Maplewood owner Wayne Lamberton said. “We anxiously await spring and the kick-off to this great new relationship at the ‘Nation’s Site of Excitement’.”

Maplewood Convenience Store is a locally-owned business with locations in Berlin, South Barre, and Waterbury. The Maplewood Vermont Travelers Service Center in Berlin, a public/private partnership to provide information and services, is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Irving Oil is a multinational energy company that specializes in fuel oil and natural gas. They operate Irving Oil Refinery in Saint John, New Brunswick and own or franchise more than 900 gas stations throughout New England and Eastern Canada. All Maplewood Convenience Store locations offer Irving gasoline, diesel fuel, and other products.

For more information, contact the Thunder Road offices at (802) 244-6963, media@thunderroadvt.com, or visit www.thunderroadvt.com, https://www.facebook.com/Maplewood-Convenience-Store-144458612262971/, or www.theirving.com.

PHOTO: The Thunder Road Late Model division will be known as the Maplewood/Irving Late Models through the 2020 season. (Alan Ward photo)

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TROIS-RIVIERES, Quebec — American-Canadian Tour Late Models will make some right turns in 2018.

Serie ACT and Grand Prix Trois-Rivieres officials came to an agreement that will see the Quebe-based Late Model series compete during the GP3R weekend on August 10, 11, and 12, 2018.

The 1.53-mile (2.46-kilometer) temporary street circuit is made up of 10 turns, including two right-handed turns. The event will be the first road course event in the 27-year history of the American-Canadian Tour Late Models.

The 41-lap, 100-kilometer feature event will take place on Sunday, August 12

“We (had) been talking with (late American-Canadian Tour President Tom Curley),” GP3R director Dominic Fugere said in Le Journal De Montreal. “It is with great pleasure that we finally have come to an agreement with his successor, Marc Patrick Roy.”

The Serie ACT event will share the race weekend with the NASCAR Pitny Series. Other various road racing series and clubs will compete as well

The event will add a 10th event to the 2018 schedule that is made up of four visits to Autodrome St-Eustache (May 20, July 7, August 18, September 23), four visits to Autodrome Montmagny (June 9, June 24, July 21, September 1), and a return visit to Autodrome Chaudiere (July 28).

The ACT Late Model Tour is scheduled to be off during the GP3R race weekend. Le Journal De Montreal states the American counterparts will be invited to compete on the road course for the first time.

The post Serie ACT Adds Road Course to 2018 Schedule appeared first on VtMotorMag.com.

Three $5,000-to-win races announced for 2018 schedule

WATERBURY — The American-Canadian Tour is upping the ante on three ACT Late Model Tour races this season.

Series officials announced on Monday that the ACT Late Model Tour events at Oxford Plains Speedway in May, New London-Waterford Speedbowl in June, and Thunder Road Speedbowl in September will pay $5,000-to-win, double of what a normal ACT Late Model Tour event has paid in recent seasons.

The three races will be combined to be known as the “Summer Showdown Series”. An additional $5,000 will be up for grabs should a driver win all three Showdown Series races.

“We think this will be a win for both teams and fans,” ACT co-owner Cris Michaud said in a press release. “It gives everybody something extra to race for even if they’re not in the championship hunt. That added intensity means more exciting action for the fans.

“And if someone wins the first two events, then who wouldn’t want to be at Thunder Road on Labor Day weekend to see if they can pull off the sweep?”

The 150-lap, $5,000-to-win races will welcome Oxford Plains Speedway in Maine and New London-Waterford Speedbowl in Connecticut back to the schedule after a one-year hiatus will the 200-lap event at Thunder Road is always one of the toughest races to win on the Tour schedule.

The three events will also award points toward the ACT Late Model Tour championship, which will begin on Sunday, April 15 at Lee USA Speedway for the New Hampshire Governor’s Cup 150.

PHOTO: Drivers from throughout the northeast are expected to partake in the newly announced ACT Summer Showdown Series that will see three races post a $5,000 winner’s share. (Alan Ward photo)

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Sprint Cars of New England, USAC Dirt Midgets highlight 2018 schedule

BRADFORD — Bear Ridge Speedway is set to kick off the next 50 years with a big 51st season of racing at the quarter-mile clay oval.

Track officials have set an action packed 21-race slate that will begin in early May and run through the summer and through the end of September.

The season will open on Saturday, May 5 with a double-point counting event and conclude on Saturday, September 22 with the Newport Chevrolet Sportsman Modified 100. The regular point-counting season will end on Saturday, September 16 with a double point counting event.

The USAC Dirt Midget Association will also anchor the season with Bear Ridge’s four weekly racing divisions with 12 events during the season on a near bi-weekly racing slate.

The Sprint Cars of New England will make their first of eight appearances on Saturday, May 12. The 360 winged warriors will make additional visits on May 26, June 9, July 7, July 21, August 18, September 1, and September 23.

The Wingless Auto Club will make seven visits in its second season, the first on May 19. The series will visit Bear Ridge again on June 16, June 30, August 4, August 11, September 8, and September 16.

The Granite State Mini Sprint Club will also make seven visits in 2018 at Bear Ridge with the first visit on June 9. The series will visit again on June 23, July 7, July 14, August 4, August 25, and September 16.

The Mike Estrada State Farm Insurance Enduro Series will compete five times in 2018, first on May 26 and again on June 23, July 28, September 1, and September 22.

The popular Sportsman Modified Madness event will take place during the track’s July 4th celebration on Saturday, June 30 that will feature a packed card of racing. The John Poor Memorial event that features the Sportsman Coupe three-segment Madness event will take place on August 4. The Limited Late Model Madness event will take place on July 21 with the Four Cylinder Madness event on June 9.

The always popular Old Timers night at the track will take place on August 18. The youth of Bear Ridge Speedway will take their rides around the track with bicycle races on July 28. Kid’s rides will take place on June 9 and August 11.

Double points will be paid for three events, in addition to the double point madness events for each division. The season opener on May 5, the mid-season championship event on July 7, and the point counting season finale on September 16 will pay double points in 2018.

Bear Ridge will pay back to charity in 2018 with four benefit nights — Vermont Foodbank on May 19, New Digs for Dogs on June 16, David’s House on July 7, and Racing Against Cancer on September 1.

2018 Bear Ridge Speedway Schedule
No.-Date-Event

# – Sat., April 28 – Upper Valley Car Show (Fireside Inn West Lebanon, N.H.)
1 – Sat., May 5 – FMS Auto Parts Opener – Double Points, USAC Dirt Midgets
2 – Sat., May 12 – Weekly Racing – Sprint Cars of New England
3 – Sat., May 19 – Dad’s 4 By Tool & Supply – USAC Dirt Midgets, Wingless Auto Club
4 – Sat., May 26 – R&M Automotive Night – Sprint Cars of New England, Enduro
5 – Sat., June 2 – Woodsville Guaranty Savings Bank Night – USAC Dirt Midgets
6 – Sat., June 9 – Mekkelsen RV Night – Sprint Cars of New England, Granite State Mini Sprints
7 – Sat., June 16 – Jiffy Mart of Bradford Night – USAC Dirt Midgets, Wingless Auto Club
8 – Sat., June 23 – Wells River Savings Bank Night – Granite State Mini Sprints, Enduro
9 – Sat., June 30 – July 4th Celebration – Modified Madness, USAC DMA, Wingless Auto Club
10 – Sat., July 7 – Dennis Preston Builder Mid-Season Championship – SCoNE, GSMS
11 – Sat., July 14 – Weekly Racing – USAC Dirt Midgets, Granite State Mini Sprints
12 – Sat., July 21 – Interstate Batteries/JTB Towing Night – Sprint Cars of New England
13 – Sat., July 28 – R&R Property Care Night – USAC Dirt Midgets, Enduro
14 – Sat., Aug. 4 – Walker Motor Sales Night – Coupe Madness, Wingless Auto Club, GSMS
15 – Sat., Aug. 11 – Swenson Insurance Night – USAC Dirt Midgets, Wingless Auto Club
16 – Sat., Aug. 18 – Sabil & Sons Old Timers Night – Sprint Cars of New England
17 – Sat., Aug. 25 – Dead River Night – USAC Dirt Midgets, Granite State Mini Sprints
18 – Sat., Sept. 1 – Valley Floors Night – Sprint Cars of New England, USAC DMA, Enduro
19 – Sat., Sept. 8 – Staunch Security Night – USAC Dirt Midgets, Wingless Auto Club
20 – Sat., Sept. 15 – 99Rock NE Dirt Track Championship – Double Points, GSMS, Wingless
21 – Sat., Sept. 22 – Newport Chevrolet Night – Sportsman Modified 100, SCoNE, Enduro

PHOTO: The ‘Home of the Coupes’ has an action packed 2018 scheduled that will keep fans excited throughout the season. (Alan Ward photo)

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Historic $10,000-to-win Sportsman Modified “Vermont 200” headlines 19-race calendar

(From track press releases)

WEST HAVEN – Vermont’s Devil’s Bowl Speedway has unveiled its highly anticipated 2018 stock car racing schedule, sparkling with a mix of 19 exciting weekly and special events. The Rutland County track, in its 52nd season, will return to full-time dirt racing on a half-mile surface for the first time since 2009, and competition will again be sanctioned by the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series.

The biggest event in Devil’s Bowl Speedway history will be held on the weekend of September 15-16, with a race format never attempted before at any track: The “Vermont 200” for Sportsman Modifieds. The race, which will be open to any driver, is for Northeast-style Sportsman Modifieds with the “602 crate” engine package and will pay a minimum of $10,000 to the winner. At 200 laps in distance and with a record total purse estimated at $35,000, the race will be the longest, richest event ever held for the division at any track.

All of Devil’s Bowl Speedway’s divisions will be in action at the event, along with the track’s annual Saturday night year-end bonfire and barbeque party. Additional details surrounding the Vermont 200 Weekend event will be announced in the coming weeks, including the weekend schedule, rules, entries, and purses.

The Vermont 200 is far from the only major event; the weekly Sunday night racing season opens with a Memorial Day special on the evening of Sunday, May 27, to kick off the new half-mile dirt track era. The winged Sprint Cars of New England (SCoNE) tour will make its first of four appearances for the season at the opener, and the King of Dirt Racing Series (KOD) organization will have its first stop of the year as well, with a Sportsman Modified race that drew 42 entries last year.

The SCoNE Sprint Cars will also be in action at the Coca-Cola Independence Day Firecracker, with a special mid-week date on Tuesday, July 3; at a rare Twin 20 double-feature event on Sunday, August 12; and at the Labor Day Special on Sunday, September 2.

All three KOD tours will each make stops at Devil’s Bowl as well. The Sportsman opener on May 27 kicks off the season, and the ground-pounding KOD Small Block 358 Modifieds will have a special mid-week event on Wednesday, June 6. The KOD 358s will also headline the “C.J. Richards Memorial 67” on Sunday, July 29, and the KOD Pro Stocks will run their “Carl Vladyka Memorial 29” during the Vermont 200 Weekend in September.

Devil’s Bowl Speedway will also hold two independent special events for 358 Modifieds: Twin 20-lap feature races on Sunday, July 15, and a 30-lap feature on Sunday, September 2.

The weekly Sunday night schedule is highlighted with special extra-distance races for all of Devil’s Bowl Speedway’s regular Sportsman Modified, Limited Sportsman, Super Stock, Mini Stock, and 500cc Mini Sprint divisions, as well as special promotions for fans at nearly every event.

Following the Vermont 200 Weekend on September 15-16, the season wraps up on Sunday, September 23, with the re-created “Mountain Man 200” Enduro event. The survival-of-the-fittest race will feature bone stock,

nearly-street-legal vehicles with amateur drivers racing for 200 laps and $2,000 to win. The race is green-flag only, with the red flag only displayed in emergencies. Full Enduro rules and entries will be announced in the future.

The full season schedule is available online at www.DevilsBowlSpeedwayVT.com (or see below). The Banquet of Champions, which will officially bring the 2017 season to a close, will be held on Saturday, January 27,at the Holiday Inn Rutland-Killington in Rutland, Vermont.

Devil’s Bowl Speedway is located on Route 22A in West Haven, Vt., four miles north of Exit 2 off of U.S. Route 4 and just 20 minutes from Rutland, Vt. For more information, visit www.DevilsBowlSpeedwayVT.com or call (802) 265-3112. Devil’s Bowl Speedway is on Facebook at facebook.com/DevilsBowlSpeedway and on Twitter and Instagram at @DevilsBowlSpeed; follow the action using the #DevilsBowl hashtag.

PHOTO: Devil’s Bowl Speedway will host 19 events in 2018 during its return to full-time dirt track racing.  (Barry Snelling/Devil’s Bowl Speedway photo)

Devil’s Bowl Speedway 2018 Schedule of Events

Division Key:

NWAAS = All Weekly NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Divisions; KOD = King of Dirt Racing Series; SCoNE = Sprint Cars of New England

358 = Small Block 358 Modifieds; Bandits = Bandit Youth Mini Stocks; Ladies = Ladies Mini Stocks

1. Sunday, May 27– 5:00 p.m. – 52^nd Season Opener – Memorial Day Special (rain date Mon., May 28)

NWAAS Divisions + KOD Sportsman Modifieds + SCoNE Sprint Cars

2. Sunday, June 3– 5:00 p.m. – Mini Stock Special Event

NWAAS Divisions

3. Wednesday, June 6– 7:00 p.m. – King of Dirt Small Block 358 Modifieds (rain date Wed., June 20)

NWAAS Divisions + KOD 358 Modifieds (Sportsman Mod and 500cc Mini Sprints OFF)

4. Sunday, June 10– 5:00 p.m. – Weekly Event

NWAAS Divisions + Bandits

5. Sunday, June 17– 5:00 p.m. – Father’s Day Special – Topless/Wingless Night

NWAAS Divisions

6. Sunday, June 24– 6:00 p.m. – Nostalgia Night

NWAAS Divisions + Bandits + Mohawk Valley Vintage Dirt Modifieds (500cc Mini Sprints OFF)

7. Tuesday, July 3– 6:00 p.m. – Coca-Cola Firecracker Special – FIREWORKS! (rain date Wed., July 4)

NWAAS Divisions + SCoNE Sprint Cars

8. Sunday, July 8– 6:00 p.m. – Super Stock Special Event

NWAAS Divisions + Ladies

9. Sunday, July 15– 6:00 p.m. – Vince Quenneville Sr. Memorial & 358 Modified Twin 20s

NWAAS Divisions + 358 (500cc Mini Sprints OFF)

10. Sunday, July 22– 6:00 p.m. – 500cc Mini Sprint Special Event

NWAAS Divisions + Bandits

11. Sunday, July 29– 6:00 p.m. – C.J. Richards Memorial 67 – KOD Small Block 358 Modifieds

NWAAS Divisions + KOD 358 Modifieds (Sportsman Mod and 500cc Mini Sprints OFF)

12. Sunday, August 5– 6:00 p.m. – Limited Sportsman Special Event

NWAAS Divisions + Bandits

13. Sunday, August 12– 6:00 p.m. – Sprint Cars of New England Twin 20s

NWAAS Divisions + SCoNE Sprint Cars + Ladies (500cc Mini Sprints OFF)

14. Sunday, August 19– 6:00 p.m. – Charlie LaDuc Memorial 54

NWAAS Divisions + Bandits

15. Sunday, August 26– 5:00 p.m. – “Double Stack Night” – Double Features All Divisions

NWAAS Divisions

16. Sunday, Sept. 2– 5:00 p.m. – FIREWORKS! – SCoNE & 358 Modifieds (rain date Mon., Sept. 3)

NWAAS Divisions + SCoNE Sprint Cars + 358 + Bandits

17. Sunday, Sept. 9– 5:00 p.m. – Leon Gonyo Memorial 50

NWAAS Divisions + Ladies

18. Sat./Sun., Sept. 15/16 – VERMONT 200 WEEKEND – $10,000 TO WIN SPORTSMAN RACE

NWAAS Divisions + KOD Pro Stocks + Bandits (full details to be announced)

19. Sunday, Sept. 23– Mountain Man 200 Enduro

Enduro 200 (full details to be announced)

The post Devil’s Bowl Opens New Dirt Track Era with Exciting Schedule appeared first on VtMotorMag.com.

Sixty-one drivers that represent various disciplines from multiple tracks and series in and around the State of Vermont have been named as nominees for the 2017 VMM Driver of the Year awards hosted online at VtMotorMag.com

The ninth annual fan-voted Driver of the Year awards will recognize stock car drivers from VMM’s focus tracks and series, as well as various regional touring series, for their efforts during the 2017 racing season across eleven categories.

Competitors are nominated for selection for “Driver of the Year” awards in Open Wheel, Late Model/Limited/Sportsman, and Four Cylinder categories, as well as categories for Touring drivers, drivers competing at Vermont’s four weekly race tracks: Bear Ridge Speedway in Bradford, Devil’s Bowl Speedway Asphalt and Dirt in West Haven, and Thunder Road Int’l Speedbowl in Barre. There are also nominations for Breakout Driver of the Year and Rookie Driver of the Year.

Ten drivers have been nominated for the Overall VtMotorMag.com Driver of the Year award: Thunder Road Vermont Milk Bowl champion Jason Corliss, Thunder Road Late Model second place Trampas Demers, Bear Ridge Four Cylinder champion Jesse Durkee, Bear Ridge Sportsman Modified champion Derek Graham, Devil’s Bowl Dirt Sportsman Modified second place Tim LaDuc, ACT Late Model Tour champion Scott Payea, Bear Ridge Four Cylinder third place Jason Porter, Thunder Road Late Model champion Bobby Therrien, Devil’s Bowl Speedway Dirt Sportsman Modified champion Kenny Tremont Jr., and Thunder Road Flying Tiger champion Jason Woodard.

This season, the Touring category has expanded to include Vermont drivers that compete outside of Vermont-based tracks or series.

Former Overall Driver of the Year award winners include Nick Sweet (2015 & 2016), Joey Polewarczyk Jr. (2014), Todd Stone (2013), Wayne Helliwell Jr. (2012), Kevin Chaffee (2011), Don Miller (2010), and Thomas Placey (2009).

Voting will open on Sunday, March 11 at 12:00pm EDT and will continue for one week, concluding on Sunday, March 18 at 12:00pm EDT. Fans and readers are eligible to vote once per day.

The award winners will be announced on Monday, March 19.

(Photos by Alan Ward and Barry Snelling)

VtMotorMag.com Driver of the Year
Jason Corliss – Thunder Road Vermont Milk Bowl Champion, ACT Late Model Tour 3rd Place, Thunder Road Late Model 3rd Place
Trampas Demers – Thunder Road Vermont Governor’s Cup Winner, Thunder Road Late Model 2nd Place
Jesse Durkee – Bear Ridge Four Cylinder Champion, Devil’s Bowl Dirt Four Cylinder Sweepstakes Winner
Derek Graham – Bear Ridge Sportsman Modified Champion
Tim LaDuc – Devil’s Bowl Dirt Sportsman Modified 2nd Place, Devil’s Bowl Dirt Open Competition Winner
Scott Payea – ACT Late Model Tour Champion, Thunder Road Labor Day Classic Winner
Jason Porter – Bear Ridge Four Cylinder 3rd Place, Devil’s Bowl Dirt Mini Stock Race Winner
Bobby Therrien – Thunder Road Late Model Champion, Thunder Road Memorial Day Classic Winner
Kenny Tremont Jr. – Devil’s Bowl Dirt Sportsman Modified Champion, NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Vermont State Champion, Devil’s Bowl Dirt 100 Winner
Jason Woodard – Thunder Road Flying Tiger Champion

Bear Ridge Speedway Driver of the Year
Brian Chaffee
Wayland Childs
Dean Christensen
Ryan Christian
Jason Colbeth
Jesse Durkee
Derek Graham
Jason Porter
Robert Tucker
Buddy Welch

Devil’s Bowl Speedway Asphalt Driver of the Year
Seth Bridge
Robert Bryant Jr.
Roo Forrest
Cam Gadue
Jim McKiernan
Shawn Moquin
Ron Proctor
Dylan Rabtoy
Vince Quenneville Jr.
Zach Wood

Devil’s Bowl Speedway Dirt Driver of the Year
Chris Charbonneau
Austin Chaves
Bill Duprey
Lacey Hanson
Tim LaDuc
Aaron Mulready
Chris Murray
Jason Porter
Vince Quenneville Jr.
Kenny Tremont Jr.

Thunder Road Speedbowl Driver of the Year
Jason Corliss
Jamie Davis
Trampas Demers
Scott Dragon
Dwayne Lanphear
Trevor Lyman
Mike Martin
Brendan Moodie
Bobby Therrien
Jason Woodard

Touring Driver of the Year
Travis Benjamin
Jonathan Bouvrette
Clay Dow
Bunker Hodgdon
Will Hull
Dillon Moltz
Brendan Moodie
Scott Payea
Kodi Sabins
Matt Sonnhalter

Open Wheel Driver of the Year
Brian Chaffee
Dean Christensen
Jason Colbeth
Clay Dow
Derek Graham
Will Hull
Tim LaDuc
Vince Quenneville Jr.
Kenny Tremont Jr.
Robert Tucker

Late Model Driver of the Year
Jason Corliss
Ryan Christian
Trampas Demers
Trevor Lyman
Brendan Moodie
Chris Murray
Scott Payea
Dylan Rabtoy
Bobby Therrien
Jason Woodard

Four Cylinder Driver of the Year
Chris Charbonneau
Jamie Davis
Jesse Durkee
Andrew FitzGerald
Roo Forrest
Cam Gadue
Shawn Moquin
Jason Porter
Buddy Welch
Zach Wood

Breakout Driver of the Year
Cooper Bouchard
Roo Forrest
Lacey Hanson
Todd Hayward
Matt Lashua
Aaron Mulready
Dylan Rabtoy
Robert Tucker
Adam Whitney
Kelsea Woodard

Rookie of the Year
Tyler Austin
Cam Gadue
Evan Hallstrom
Walter J. Hammond
Shawn Moquin
Jaden Perry
Jamon Perry
Logan Powers
Tanner Siemons
Kyle Streeter

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