Thunder Road Championship Season: The rain-rescheduled Cody Chevrolet-Cadillac Night was held at Quarry Hill on Sunday night. Drivers and viewers enjoyed watching fast and exciting racing at this great event. The racetrack was filled with loud engine noises and the thrill of competition as the 2023 championship season ended. Sometimes winning races doesn’t mean winning the title in this sport. All drivers in each class showed that consistency is key to success.
The evening began with Burnett Scrap Metals Road Warriors. Brayden Murphy and Nick Copping started the race. Karsen Murphy followed Murphy as he quickly passed Copping. Longtime racer Frank Putney made a huge entrance bypassing the top 10. He finished third after three laps. The chase became more exciting as Karsen caught Brayden, and Putney moved closer. Brayden was desperate and crashed into Karsen’s front fender, sending him into the infield. Karsen Murphy led and won the first race in his career. In order, Putney and Tyler Wheatley placed second and third.
Scott Weston, in the lead, caused the first yellow flag due to a leaking fuel cell. That forced them to resume the rk Miles Street Stock main event. Jamie Davis quickly overtook Juan “Paco” Marshall by utilizing the outside lane. Davis accelerated and raced to win despite Patrick Tibbet’s smoke. Ellis, his loyal crew member, won. Marshall, a fan favorite, finished second. Third place went to Jesse Laquerre.
The Maplewood/Irving Oil Late Model race started with Cooper Bouchard and Tyler Cahoon in front. Right behind Bouchard on the inner row was a fierce duel for second place. Cahoon placed second, followed by Justin Prescott, Nick Sweet, and Scott Dragon. The leading scores pushed hard for second place, and Dragon overtook Prescott with three laps left. A technical check disqualified Bouchard for having narrow tires after the race. This completely altered the race’s finale and increased its excitement.
Colchester’s Sam Caron was the first Myers Container Service to start the Flying Tiger Championship 100. South Hero’s Rich Lowrey immediately took the lead. Brandon Gray attacked Lowrey, causing a brawl. After being cautioned after two failed tries, Gray took the lead with Lowrey close behind. Many signs and do-overs made the race thrilling, as Gray won his third race in four days. The lack of tread width excluded Rich Lowrey from the race.
Logan Powers of Middlesex won the Myers Container Service Triple Crown in 2023. He became the seventh Myers Container champion at The Road. Interesting that he didn’t win any longer Triple Crown races.
Thunder Road will reopen for Run-What-You-Brought on Thursday, August 24. The renowned Jet Service Envelope/Accura Printing Night is hosting it. Together, racers on Thunder Road high banks will show off their talent and speed. The Maplewood/Irving Oil Late Models, Lenny’s Shoe & Apparel Flying Tigers, rk Miles Street Stocks and Burnett Scrap Metals Road Warriors will also return, making for an entertaining night of racing you shouldn’t miss.
Our Reader’s Queries
Who owns Thunder Road in Barre VT?
In 2017, Ken played a pivotal role in bringing Vermont businessman Pat Malone and former Thunder Road champion Cris Michaud together to purchase Thunder Road. Despite pursuing the purchase separately, Ken’s efforts resulted in a collaboration that left a lasting mark on ‘The Nation’s Site of Excitement’.
How big is the Thunder Road Speedbowl?
Thunder Road, also known as Thunder Road International Speedbowl, is a high-banked, paved short track speedway situated in Barre, Vermont. The track spans 0.25 miles (0.40 km) and is a popular destination for racing enthusiasts.
