If you’ve been to a race at Thunder Road (or watched one via pay-per-view), then you’ve surely seen the small stickers that adorn a car’s fenders, nose, and doors. Nearly all of them are contingency sponsors that support the track and/or individual classes. But who are these companies, and what do they award competitors throughout the year? We take a look in the latest installment of our Sponsor Spotlight series. (Note: contingencies are listed in alphabetical order.)

ARBodies

Supporter of the ACT Late Model Tour, New England Late Model Challenge Cup, Maplewood/Irving Oil Late Models, and Lenny’s Shoe & Apparel Flying Tigers

Maplewood Convenience Stores & Irving Oil

Entitlement sponsors of the Late Model Division

Since 2018, Maplewood Convenience and Irving Oil have been proud to headline the Late Model class at Thunder Road. Maplewood first became involved with the track in 2016 and 2017 as the sponsor of the Late Model semi-feature and Triple Crown program. When the semi-feature was discontinued, Maplewood stepped up to become the co-sponsor of the entire division. Maplewood Convenience stores exclusively distribute Irving Oil gasoline at the pumps; add in the necessity of fuel for racers, and it made them a natural partner for a program that now enters its fourth year.

Barre, VT — Since their return in mid-2017, the Burnett Scrap Metals Road Warriors have been one of the most popular divisions at Thunder Road. The reason is simple: they’re a lot of fun. In an age where the action on the track is frequently overshadowed by the drama off it, the Road Warrior class gets back to the basics of why people fall in love with racing in the first place.

Barre, VT — Second-generation and third-generation racers are a welcome part of auto racing. In many ways, they’re what has helped the sport thrive for so long. Still, it can sometimes be hard not to measure them against the accomplishments of others in their family — especially when the previous generation has stood at the top of the sport.

Nine New England Tracks Registered with Point Fund That Could Exceed $20,000

Waterbury, VT — After a one-year delay, The New England Late Model Challenge Cup (NELMCC) is finally debuting in 2021 — and it will be even bigger than originally planned. American-Canadian Tour (ACT) officials confirmed today that nine tracks have signed up for the first season of the series that will pit weekly Late Model racers from across the region in a summer-long battle for pride, glory, and some serious prize money.

Barre, VT – For half his life, East Thetford, VT’s Brandon Gray has been racing throughout the Northeast. While he’d won plenty of races before 2020 and shown raw talent behind the wheel, he’d never been able to win a championship.

This past year, that all changed. Armed with a fast car, a dedicated crew, and a new attitude, the 23-year-old Gray rolled to the rk Miles Street Stock championship at Barre’s Thunder Road. It was his first title in any division and cemented him as one of the young auto racing stars in the region.

Barre, VT – One of the most iconic cars of the past two decades at Barre’s Thunder Road has a new pilot. Richard Green Racing has announced that Morrisville’s Brandon Lanphear will drive the #16VT Chevolet with sponsorship from Richard Green Trucking, Green’s Ace Hardware, and Pro Driver Training during the upcoming Maplewood/Irving Oil Late Model season.