2014-05-21

Memorial Day Classic Starts Vermont State LM Championship

Memorial Day Classic Starts Vermont State LM Championship

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE TR-052114-25

Waterbury, VT –The Mekkelsen RV Memorial Day Classic will open the third annual Vermont State Late Model Championship Series this Sunday, May 25th at Thunder Road. The series was started when Devil's Bowl Speedway in Fair Haven, Vermont introduced the American Canadian Tour (ACT) Late Model division weekly to its new asphalt surface in 2012.

"Thunder Road and Devil's Bowl officials have worked with the ACT office to create this partnership, and the racing has been spectacular at both tracks," said Tom Curley, President of ACT and promoter at Thunder Road. "Having two very different asphalt tracks competing in Vermont with the high-banked Thunder Road and the very fast, relatively flat, half mile at Devil's Bowl, has really allowed competitors from both tracks to have a unique racing experience in this State series. The big winners have been the fans as the point battles during the first two years have been outstanding," concluded Curley.

The format has Thunder Road using two premier historic events, the 100-lap Mekkelsen RV Memorial Day Classic, entering its 52nd year on Sunday, May 25th, and the 36th running of the Coca-Cola Labor Day Classic 200, Sunday, August 31st. The two Devil's Bowl events are each 100 laps in length and the competition is fierce on what has become one of the favorite and fastest speed plants in Northern New England. The first event will be heldFriday, May 30th. The Vermont State Champion will be crowned on Sunday, September 14at the 3rd annual Mekkelsen RV Vermont 200 weekend at Devil's Bowl.

Early favorites who have entered the 3rd Vermont State Late Model Championship include Brooks Clark from Fayston, VT, Trampas Demers, Shelburne, VT, Emily Packard, East Montpelier, VT and Josh Masterson from Bristol, VT. Runner-up from the 2013 campaign, "Chip" Grenier from Graniteville, VT has also entered the 2014 Vermont State Series. Nick Sweet from Barre won the crown in 2013 and cross town rival Montpelier's Dave Pembroke was the inaugural winner of the State title in 2012.

"I have always liked racing at Thunder Road, and now Devil's Bowl has become one of my favorite tracks also. That combination is just right for an independent team like mine. I think we have a good shot at pulling it off this year. You have to be consistent in each race, but with only four races in the series, you also have to have solid finishes. I think we are capable of challenging again and I'm anxious for the season to begin", said Grenier.

Gates will open at Thunder Road this Sunday, May 25th at 10:00am. Admission for the Mekkelsen RV Memorial Day Classic double-header is just $20 for adults and kids twelve and under are free. Post time is 1:30.

For additional information contact the ACT office at 802.244.6963, or visitmedia@acttour.comacttour.com, or thunderroadspeedbowl.com.

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