Posted By Tj Ingerson on May 2, 2012
PHOTO: Lieutenant Governor Phil Scott has entered the four-race Vermont State Late Model Championship series and looks to become the Vermont State Champion. (Leif Tillotson photo)
(From track press release)
BARRE/WEST HAVEN -- The first entry for the recently announced Vermont State Late Model Championship series has been received from Phil Scott, the Lt. Governor of Vermont from Berlin. The all-time win list leader at Barre’s Thunder Road and multi-time Champion is an early favorite to win the Vermont State Championship Series. Read Full Story
Posted By Tj Ingerson on April 30, 2012
PHOTO: Blair Bessett celebrates his first career victory in his 34-year career after winning the Bond Auto Tiger Sportsmen feature at Thunder Road. (Alan Ward photo)
Bessett Ends 34-Year Winless Drought; Smith Extends Win Record
--by T.J. Ingerson
BARRE -- Most drivers in racing that have a thirty-four career have many accolades. They have visited victory lane many times, trophies are usually packed away in every corner of the house. Most drivers who don't visit victory lane often give up before they do.
But not Blair Bessett. In his 34 year career, the Worchester racer had yet to visit victory lane. But he never gave up. And on Sunday at Thunder Road, he was finally rewarded with his first career victory. Read Full Story
Posted By Tj Ingerson on April 29, 2012
PHOTO: Brian Hoar celebrates his American-Canadian Tour Merchants Bank 150 victory after holding off Wayne Helliwell, Jr., over the final 20 laps. (T.J. Ingerson/VMM photo)
--by T.J. Ingerson
BARRE, Vt. -- Wayne Helliwell, Jr., appeared to be headed to his first American-Canadian Tour victory with 25 laps to go in the Merchants Bank 150 at Thunder Road Int'l Speedbowl. The Dover, N.H., racer used a lap 109 restart to take control of the lead from Nick Sweet and held off Patrick Laperle on a restart.
But a lap 128 caution flag changed that appearance for Helliwell, and reopened the door for the eight-time American-Canadian Tour champion Brian Hoar. Read Full Story
Posted By Tj Ingerson on April 29, 2012
PHOTO: A group of American-Canadian Tour Late Models prepare to practice their cars in attempt to win the Merchants Bank 150. (T.J. Ingerson/VMM photo)
--by T.J. Ingerson
BARRE, Vt. -- The fifth-third season of racing at Thunder Road beings today with the 14th running of the Merchants Bank 150. A quick look outside may reveal not-a-cloud-in-the-sky type day, but the 40-degree day is accompanied by a wind that will reveal the breath of many.
But the Merchants Bank 150 may take a lot of fan's breaths away. Read Full Story
Posted By Tj Ingerson on April 20, 2012
PHOTO: Two-time and defending Merchants Bank 150 winner Nick Sweet (88VT) battles with Chip Grenier (9VT) and Scott Luce (07ME) during the 13th running of the event in 2011. (Leif Tillotson photo)
(From series press release)
BARRE, Vt. -- The long offseason has finally come to a close as drivers prepare for the first race at “The Nation’s Site of Excitement” Thunder Road in Barre, VT. The Late Model stars of the Northeast will be looking to send a message in their respective championship hopes at The Merchants Bank 150. Read Full Story
