BARRE, VT – Veteran stock car driver Rick Garand of Middlesex, VT edged 17 year-old James Hebert of Williamstown, VT for his first NAPA Tiger Sportsman victory since 1995 at Barre, VT’s Thunder Road Int’l Speedbowl on Sunday. Garand and Hebert raced inches apart over the final five laps for the win during the 46th Annual Mekkelsen RV Memorial Day Classic.
“The last race I won was the day before my son was born 13 years ago,” said Garand in victory lane. “I’m glad I finally got to win again for him, and I’m happy for these young kids like Jimmy Hebert. It was a lot of fun out there today.”
Garand’s Dukette Sandblast/J. Morgans Chevrolet notched the win over Hebert, Milton, VT’s Eric Badore, Barre, VT’s Doug Crowningshield, and Midlesex, VT’s Pete Ainsworth. Joel Hodgdon, Tom Therrien, Ricky Roberts, Craig Bushey, and Mark Barnier
completed the unofficial top ten in order.
Tommy “Thunder” Smith of Williamstown, VT notched his 16th career Allen Lumber Street Stock win. Smith made a quick drive from 8th at the start into the lead, then held off West Topsham, VT’s Tim Campbell for the victory. Barre, VT’s Erik Steel earned a career-best third. Mike Martin and Paul Giacherio finished fourth and fifth, respectively.
Wolcott, VT’s Jamie Davis posted his second career Power Shift Online Junkyard Warrior victory over Donny Yates, Neal Foster, Scott Weston, and Lance Donald.
John Donahue of Graniteville, VT won the American-Canadian Tour Late Model event, while West Swanzey, NH’s Kirk Alexander won the True Value Modified Racing Series race.
Thunder Road’s 49th season of stock car racing continues with the Thursday night “regular season” opener on June 12, as Ferguson Waterworks present a full four-division card. For more information, call (802) 244-6963 or visit
www.thunderroadspeedbowl.com
UNOFFICIAL FINISH – Mekkelsen RV Memorial Day Classic
Thunder Road Int’l Speedbowl – Barre, VT
Sunday, May 25, 2008
(# – denotes rookie)
Pos.-Driver-Hometown
NAPA Tiger Sportsman (30 laps)
1. Rick Garand, Middlesex, VT
2. James Hebert, Williamstown, VT
3. Eric Badore, Milton, VT
4. Doug Crowningshield, Barre, VT
5. Pete Ainsworth, Middlesex, VT
6. Joel Hodgdon, Craftsbury, VT
7. Tom Therrien, Hinesburg, VT
8. Ricky Roberts, Websterville, VT
9. Craig Bushey, Cambridge, VT
10. Mark Barnier, Essex Junction, VT
Allen Lumber Street Stock (25 laps)
1. Tommy Smith, Williamstown, VT
2. Tim Campbell, West Topsham, VT
3. Erik Steel, Barre, VT
4. Mike Martin, Craftsbury Common, VT
5. Paul Giacherio, Washington, VT
6. Lloyd Blakely, Websterville, VT
7. David Allen, North Troy, VT
8. Shawn Powell, Jericho, VT
9. Garry Bashaw, Lincoln, VT
10. Gary Mullen, Tunbridge, VT
Power Shift Online Junkyard Warrior (15 laps)
1. Jamie Davis, Wolcott, VT
2. Donny Yates, North Montpelier, VT
3. Neal Foster, Waterbury, VT
4. Scott Weston, Berlin, VT
5. Lance Donald, Williamstown, VT
6. Fred Schroeder, Bristol, VT
7. Chad Brown, Milton, VT
8. Travis Hull, Graniteville, VT
9. Mike Ducey, Williamstown, VT
10. Jeff Martin, Jr., Moretown, VT
ACT Late Model Tour Mekkelsen RV Memorial Day Classic 100
1. John Donahue, Graniteville, VT
2. Scott Payea, Milton, VT
3. Eric Williams, Hyde Park, VT
True Value Modified Racing Series Mekkelsen RV Memorial Day Classic 100
1. Kirk Alexander, West Swanzey, NH
2. Dwight Jarvis, Ascutney, VT
3. Peter Jarvis, Ascutney, VT