2012-04-30

UN PREMIER PODIUM POUR PATRICK LAPERLE

Pour diffusion immédiate (30-04-12=06)

Merchants Bank à la piste Thunder Road
Champion en titre de la série ACT-Castrol, Patrick Laperle de St-Denis-sur-Richelieu a démontré qu’il était prêt à entreprendre la défense de celui-ci, dimanche après-midi à la piste Thunder Road de Barre au Vermont. Cette épreuve, le Merchants Bank 150 a été remportée par nul autre que Brian Hoar, le multiple champion du tour américain de l’ACT alors que Laperle a pris place sur la troisième marche du podium.

Cette course a nécessité six drapeaux jaunes dont un pour un carambolage au 70e passage impliquant neuf voitures dont celles de Brent Dragon, Chris Michaud, Ben Rowe, Glen Luce et Randy Potter. Le poste de commande a changé en neuf occasions parmi six pilotes.
Lors de sa qualification, Laperle avait pris le départ de la troisième place pour terminer quatrième alors que dans le Merchants Bank 150, il est parti de la 19e position pour remonter en troisième dans le dernier tiers.
Laperle a été plus chanceux que ses compatriotes Stéphane et Daniel Descostes ainsi que le nouveau venu Réjean Bissonnette qui n’ont pu se qualifier.
Dimanche prochain, le tour américain disputera sa troisième épreuve de la saison à la piste Devil’s Bowl au Vermont alors que Laperle entreprendra la défense de sa couronne ACT-Castrol à l’Autodrome Montmagny, le samedi 26 mai.

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Rutland's Rock Station 101.5 "The Fox" to Sponsor Devil's Bowl Speedway Spring Green

ATTACHED PHOTO: The American-Canadian Tour comes to Devil's Bowl Speedway for the "101.5 The Fox Spring Green 112" on Sunday, May 6.  (Leif Tillotson photo)
Will also present C.J. Richards Memorial Vintage Weekend in July 
For Immediate Release                               DBS-042712-1
RUTLAND, VT – Rutland’s Rock Station, 101.5 “The Fox” will become a major player at Devil’s Bowl Speedway in West Haven, VT in 2012.  The Fox will be the presenting sponsor of the season-opening “101.5 The Fox Spring Green” stock car racing event on Sunday, May 6, and has signed on for the “101.5 The Fox Vintage Racing Festival” as part of the inaugural C.J. Richards Memorial Weekend on Saturday, July 21 and Sunday, July 22.


Race fans will be treated to a live remote broadcast by 101.5 The Fox during the first-ever Downtown Rutland stock car show for Devil’s Bowl Speedway on Saturday morning, May 5.  The 101.5 The Fox Spring Green on Sunday, May 6 features a 112-lap race for the American-Canadian Tour Late Models, along with championship openers for the Bond Auto Parts Modifieds, Renegades, and Bombers in the weekly NASCAR Whelen All-American Series.
The 101.5 The Fox Vintage Racing Festival will feature race cars of all types from years gone by during the inaugural C.J. Richards Memorial Weekend in July.  The three-day event features NASCAR Whelen All-American Series racing at Carrara Masonry & Concrete Night on Friday, July 20, a car show for vintage race cars and hot rods on Saturday, July 21, and on-track vintage racing and car show awards on Sunday, July 22.
“We’re thrilled here at The Fox to be a major part of the racing action at Devil’s Bowl this year,” said General Manager John Gales.  “Rocking and racing go hand in hand and our thousands of listeners are going to love checking out the action at Devil’s Bowl this summer.  Plus, The Fox is going to love giving away tickets all summer long as well.”
The 101.5 The Fox Spring Green opens Devil’s Bowl Speedway’s 46th racing season on Sunday, May 6.  Opening ceremonies are scheduled for 1:30pm with green flag racing beginning at 2:00pm.  General admission is $18 for adults, 15 for seniors (62+), and free for children 12 and under.  Discount season passes are also available.
Devil’s Bowl Speedway is located on Route 22A in West Haven, VT, six miles north of Exit 2 on US Route 4.  For more information, call (802) 265-3112 or click www.devilsbowlspeedwayvt.com.
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Brian Hoar Claims Elusive ACT Merchants Bank 150

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                                                            ACT 042912
Barre, VT – Eight-time and defending ACT Champion Brian Hoar, of Williston VT, rode a hot streak on his way to his second win in a row on the ACT Tour in the Merchants Bank 150 on Sunday, April 29 at Thunder Road.  Hoar fought off former Lee USA Champion Wayne Helliwell Jr, of Dover NH, and two-time Serie ACT Castrol Champion Patrick Laperle of St. Denis, QC for his first ever Merchants Bank 150 win. 

Hoar started from the second position, after a +6 plus minus out of his heat, and stole the lead from Thunder Road defending Champion Dave Pembroke on lap 21. Hoar paced the field for 19 laps only to lose the lead to seven-time ACT Champion Jean Paul Cyr on lap 40.  Cyr took the lead and looked unstoppable for 79 laps, slicing and dicing through lap traffic, until lap 109 caution in which he pitted after the other leaders to take tires.  Helliwell Jr, and two-time Merchants Bank 150 Champ Nick Sweet battled it out before Sweet headed down pit road on a lap 116 caution, leaving Hoar, Laperle, and Helliwell to fight for the win. 
Helliwell gave everything he had trying to pick up his first ACT tour win, nose to tail between two former ACT champs for the last 10 laps.  Hoar survived an assault of moves from Helliwell, even recovering from being sideways out of turn four with two laps to go.  Laperle stormed from the 19th starting position, but had to turn his focus on a late race charge for third from John Donahue of Graniteville, VT who finished fourth.  Jean Paul Cyr rebounded from his tire stop to round out the top five.
The race was completed in 1:13:55 but was slowed by 6 cautions and a red flag for a multi-car wreck on lap 70.  Many cars were involved including 2011 ACT Rookie of the Year Ben Ashline, multi-time Thunder Road Champion Cris Michaud, Ben Rowe, Randy Potter, Glen Luce, Cody Blake, Quinny Welch, Jamie Aube, and Brent Dragon. The multi-car incident started with Michaud bouncing off the widowmaker and collecting the remainder of the group at the entrance of pit road.
Hoar had already qualified for the Bond Auto ACT Invitational on Saturday, September 22 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, with his win in the season opener at Lee USA Speedway two weeks ago. 47 ACT Late models attempted to qualify for the 30 car field.  23 cars finished on the lead lap. 
Blair Bassett of Worcester, VT claimed an emotional first ever Bond Auto Tiger Sportsman win, fending off Scott Coburn, Chris Pelkey, 2011 Rookie of the Year Kyle Pembroke, and Joe Steffen.  Rounding out the top ten was Mike Martin, Dylan Payea, George May, Josh Demers, and Matt Potter. 
All-time Street Stock win leader Tommy Thunder added another to the list picking up his 23rd win in dominating fashion in the Allen Lumber Street Stock division.  He was chased to the line by Garry Bashaw, Bunker Hodgdon, Jason Kenison, and Daniel Lathrop.  Completing the top ten was Dean Switser, Ben Belanger, Nick Pilotte, David Whitcomb, and Danny Doyle. 
Thunder Road is off until Memorial Day for the 50th RV Mekkelsen Memorial Day Classic on Sunday, May 27.  The American Canadian Tour Late Models head to Devil’s Bowl Speedway in West Haven, VT for  101.5 The Fox Spring Green 112 next Sunday, May 6 with a 2pm post time. 
Merchants Bank 150
American Canadian Tour
Thunder Road International Speedbowl
Sunday, April 29, 2012

Pos. (Start) Driver, Hometown - Lap
1. (2) Brian Hoar, Williston, VT - 150 Laps
2. (9) Wayne Helliwell Jr., Dover, NH -150 Laps
3. (19) Patrick Laperle, St-Denis, QC – 150 Laps
4. (5) John Donahue, Graniteville, VT -150 Laps
5. (8) Jean-Paul Cyr, Milton, VT – 150 Laps
6. (27) Trampas Demers,  South Burlington, VT – 150 Laps
7. (15) Luke Hinkley, Claremont, NH - 150 Laps
8. (4) Brooks Clark, Fayston, VT - 150 Laps
9. (23) Austin Theriault, Fort Kent, ME – 150 Laps
10. (3) Nick Sweet, Barre, VT – 150 Laps
11. (10) Scott Payea, Milton, VT - 150 Laps
12. (13) Brett Wheeler, Waterbury, VT – 150 Laps
13. (7) Joey Polewarczyk Jr., Hudson, NH - 150 Laps
14. (1) Dave Pembroke, Middlesex, VT – 150 Laps
15. (18) Ricky Rolfe, Albany Twp, ME – 150 Laps
16. (29) Jamie Fisher, Shelburne, VT – 150 Laps
17. (25) Rowland Robinson, Jr.,  Birch Harbor, ME – 150 Laps
18. (6) Mark Lamberton, Mooers Forks, NY – 150 Laps
19. (20) Jamie Aube, No. Ferrisburg, VT – 150 Laps
20. (14) Glen Luce, Turner, ME – 150 Laps
21. (24) Brent Dragon, Milton, VT – 149 Laps
22. (17) Travis Fadden, North Haverhill, NH - 149                Laps
23. (11) Cris Michaud, E. Montpelier, VT – 148 Laps
24. (30) Eric Chase, Milton, VT – 148 Laps
25. (22) Phil Scott, Berlin, VT – 128 Laps
26. (26) Quinten, Welch                Lancaster, NH – 70 Laps
27. (28) Cody Blake, Barre, VT – 70 Laps
28. (16) Randy Potter, Groveton, NH - 70Laps
29. (12) Ben Ashline, Pittston, ME – 70 Laps
30. (21) Ben Rowe, Turner, ME – 69 Laps
Lap Leaders: Dave Pembroke (1-21), Brian Hoar (22-40), Jean-Paul Cyr (41-109), Wayne Helliwell Jr. (110), Nick Sweet (111), Helliwell (112-116), Patrick Laperle (117), Helliwell (118-128), Hoar (129-150)      
Time of Race: 1:13:55(red flag 14:21)                                                                                      
Margin of Victory: .279 seconds                                                                                
Cautions: 6 (laps 21, 65, 70(red), 109, 116, 128)                                                                                  
Heat Winners: Joey Polewarczyk Jr, Cris Michaud, Brett Wheeler, Glen Luce
Consi Winners: Mark Lamberton, Ben Ashline, Brian Hoar                                                                                            
B-Feature Winner: Quinny Welch                                                                                            

Bond Auto Tiger Sportsmen Top Ten
Pos. Driver, Hometown
1. 21 Blair Bessett Worcester, VT
2. 1 Scott Coburn Barre, VT
3. 64 Christopher Pelkey S. Barre, VT
4. 27 Kyle Pembroke Montpelier, VT
5. 00 Joe Steffen Grand Isle, VT
6. 01 Mike Martin Craftsbury Comm., VT
7. 07 Dylan Payea Henniker, NH
8. 16 George May Barre, VT
9. 10 Josh Demers Middlesex, VT
10. 23 Matt Potter Marshfield, VT

Allen Lumber Street Stocks Top Ten
Pos.  Car # Driver, Hometown
1. 50 Tommy Smith Williamstown, VT
2. 92 Garry Bashaw Lincoln, VT
3. 83 Bunker Hodgdon Hardwick, VT
4. 03 Jason Kenison Groveton, NH
5. 6 Daniel Lathrop Morrisville, VT
6. 16 #Dean Switser Jr. Lyndonville, VT
7. 99 Ben Belanger Whitefield, NH
8. 11 Nick Pilotte Jefferson, NH
9. 77 Dave Whitcomb Elmore, VT
10. 88 Danny Doyle Hancock, VT

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Buescher Earns Fourth Career Menards Pole Award, Second at Salem

For Immediate Release:
Saturday, April 28, 2012


(SALEM, Ind.) - Chris Buescher drove to the Menards Pole Award presented by Ansell in just his second trip to Salem Speedway three seasons ago, and repeated that feat today in preparation for tomorrow's Kentuckiana Ford Dealers 200.

Buescher, driving the familiar No. 17 Ford of Roulo Brothers Racing, completed his qualifying lap in 17.06 seconds (117.116 mph) to edge Alex Bowman and Chase Elliott for the top spot. The 200-lap, 111-mile race will start at 2:15 p.m., with live timing and scoring coverage and live audio coverage available at ARCARacing.com.

Emily Headley, an Ansell territory manager from Cincinnati, presented the award to Buescher in Salem Speedway's infield.

The pole award was Buescher's fourth in 37 ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards events since 2009, and his first since July 2010 at Mansfield Motorsports Park. Buescher's pole speed ended up the fastest for ARCA at Salem since Justin Lofton earned the pole at 117.981 mph in April 2009.

After a cool morning and threats of sprinkling rain, the sun appeared over Salem Speedway for the afternoon qualifying session, causing slick conditions. Even for Buescher, who has six previous starts at the high-banked, 0.555-mile oval, the weather conditions gave Salem a new face.

"It's definitely slick and definitely getting a little rougher," he said. "There's more character, I guess you could say. It's still a fun track here. We're working on it and trying to go a little better on these longer runs. I think this new tire's falling off a little more, so we're working on that a little bit. Overall, it's still running pretty good."

Buescher said the car he has this weekend is one he's driven a lot in the past, and he figures the race setup to be as dialed in as for his Salem victory last fall.

"(Crew chief and team co-owner) Gary (Roulo) has worked hard all through practice and we think we're in a good position," he said.

Clint King, last fall's Salem pole winner, and Tom Hessert completed the top five. Chad Hackenbracht, May 2011 winner Brennan Poole, Mikey Kile, Mason Mingus, and 15-year-old Erik Jones rounded out the top 10.

Nine-time Salem Speedway winner Frank Kimmel will start 11th.

After leading the first practice but having to recover from driveline issues, Will Kimmel qualified 14th at his home track.

The full starting lineup is available at ARCARacing.com.

WUME 95.3 FM of Paoli, Ind. will produce and air the online audio broadcast for ARCARacing.com, and also air the race in southern Indiana. The race is scheduled as the third of 20 this season.

2012 is the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards' 60th Anniversary Season, featuring 20 races at 18 tracks. The complete 2012 event schedule is available at ARCARacing.com.

The ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards has crowned an ARCA national champion each year since its inaugural season in 1953, and has toured over 200 race tracks in 28 states since its inception. The series has tested the abilities of drivers and race teams over the most diverse schedule of stock car racing events in the world, visiting tracks ranging from 0.4 mile to 2.66 miles in length, on both paved and dirt surfaces as well as a left- and right-turn road course in its most recent season. This year, the series visited Alabama's Mobile International Speedway for the first time. In June, the first event at Minnesota's Elko Speedway will give ARCA a race in a 29th state.

Founded by John and Mildred Marcum in 1953 in Toledo, Ohio, the Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA) is recognized among the leading sanctioning bodies in the country. Closing in on completing its sixth decade after hundreds of thousands of miles of racing, ARCA administers over 100 race events each season in three professional touring series and local weekly events.

CONTACT:
Griffin Hickman, ARCA

Don Radebaugh, ARCA


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14th Annual Merchants Bank 150 Weekend

Thunder Road International Speedbowl
PITS NOTES SATURDAY APRIL 28, 2012
·         109 cars attended the annual Car Show held at Thunder Road
·         46 ACT Late Models participated in practice in preparation for Sunday’s Merchants Bank 150.
·         Joey Polewarcyzk Jr. of Hudson, NH had the fastest lap time of 13.069.
·         Other fast times were set by defending Late Model Champion Dave Pembroke, two-time defending Merchants Bank 150 Champion Nick Sweet, Lt. Governor Phil Scott, former Rookie of the Year Cody Blake, as well as Ben Rowe, Brooks Clark, Randy Potter, and Cris Michaud in the Merchants Bank Ford Fusion.

·         Austin Theriault of Fort Kent, ME was also fast in practice after flying back from a fifth place finish at Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, FL in his Brad Keselowski Racing Development ride on Friday night.
·         Four (4) Canadian teams participated in practice with former ACT Champion Patrick Laperle the fastest among them with a time of 13.175
·         Cris Michaud, of E. Montpelier won the pit stop contest with a time of 21.69 after Patrick Laperle’s team recorded a time of 21.63 but received a 10 second penalty for two loose lugnuts
·         Brent Dragon of Milton, VT was the most consistent driver of the day.  He was in the top five fastest cars in the first three practices.
·         All but two of the ACT Late Model Champions over the past 20 years (Pete Fecteau and Lance Ferno) will attempt to qualify for The Merchants Bank 150
·         David Finck of Barre, VT and Shawn Fleury of Middlesex, VT  were consistently the fastest Bond Auto Tiger Sportsmen
·         Cam Ouelette of Barre, VT and Tommy Smith of Williamstown, VT ran the fastest times of the day in the Allen Lumber Street Stock division. 
·         Street Stock driver Brock Parrot of Williamstown, VT took a spin after a malfunction in the drive train, and the wheel of the #35 Street Stock of Keith Fortier of Hinesburg, VT came off entering turn one.  All were okay. 
·         With no major wrecks or spins, all the cars participating in practice today are expected to attempt to qualify for the Merchants Bank 150 on Sunday, April 29 at 1pm. 
ACT Late Model Top 20 Practice Times
Saturday, April 28, 2012
1. 97nh Joey Polewarczyk, Jr. - 13.069
2. 88vt Nick Sweet - 13.105
3. 10nh Ben Rowe - 13.140
4. 14vt Phil Scott - 13.169
5. 55vt Brent Dragon - 13.172
6. 68vt Brooks Clark - 13.172
7. 02nh Randy Potter - 13.175
8. 91qc Patrick Laperle - 13.175
9. 99vt Cody Blake - 13.184
10. 6vt Cris Michaud - 13.186
11. 40vt Eric Chase - 13.193
12. 44vt Dave Pembroke - 13.197
13. 18vt Jamie Fisher - 13.205
14. 57me Austin Theriault - 13.211
15. 85vt Trampas Demers - 13.227
16. 37vt Brian Hoar - 13.235
17. 27nh Wayne Helliwell, Jr. - 13.242
18. 89vt Scott Payea - 13.255
19. 16vt Joey Becker - 13.269
20. 58vt Jimmy Hebert - 13.273



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