Offseason Spotlight: Marshall Caps Sophomore Season with Ed Carroll Award

Barre, VT – Pittsfield’s Juan “Paco” Marshall has made big strides in his first two seasons behind the wheel of an Allen Lumber Street Stock at Thunder Road. However, it’s off the track where he has truly shined. Marshall’s all-around great attitude and joy for auto racing made him the winner of the 2019 Ed Carroll Memorial Sportsmanship Award.

The award was created in 2002 to honor the memory of Eddie Carroll, the long-time pit steward of the Street Stock division – the “King of the Street Stocks” to many – who died the previous offseason in a tragic accident. The award honors a Street Stock driver who has shown the same joy and dedication as Eddie did for his beloved division and who looks forward to rolling up Ed Carroll Memorial Highway onto the track every Thursday night. Previous winners have included drivers such as Gary Mullen, Mike Martin, Tim Hunt, and the late Joe Fecteau that embodied the spirit of the award.

This year’s field of candidates for the Eddie Carroll Award was one of the deepest in recent memory. Several drivers stood out for their sportsmanship, making it a tough call to choose just one. But in the end, Marshall stood out just a little more than the rest. While he’s only been racing at Thunder Road for a short time, he’s brought enough smiles to the pit area and grandstands to last a lifetime.

Marshall’s performance on the track took a step upwards in 2019, as he finished eighth in points and won the annual Marvin Johnson Memorial First-Time Winner’s Race. Along the way, his attitude remained as upbeat as ever. He’s one of the first drivers to arrive at the track every week, and even if the night’s end involves a tow truck, he’s still able to muster up a grin and a wave as his car is being carted off. When he has a good night, few drivers get more cheers from fans or fellow drivers.

Furthermore, Paco’s enthusiasm is contagious. Almost every conversation he has leaves others feeling a little happier and a little more optimistic about the night ahead. In short, he proves it is possible to be a racer that everyone loves. At the end of the season, he officially joined the Race to Read program as well, meaning he’ll be bringing joy to kids and adults around the state for years to come.

“I don’t know what to say,” Marshall said at the Banquet of Champions. “I mean, we’re always smiling because we’re always having a great time. Everybody we’re surrounded by – the Martins, Manchester, (Chris) Davis, (Kyler) Davis – everybody. It’s a pleasure, and we have a great time. It doesn’t matter if we get wrecked or if we’re on the podium. Everybody’s there to help out. I can’t thank you all enough. You all have made this unbelievable for me.”

Marshall has spent the winter working on a new Allen Lumber Street Stock for the 2020 season. While he is still searching for his first point-counting win, he has already won the hearts of hundreds who come to Thunder Road every week, making him a sentimental favorite every time out.