Barre, VT – Thunder Road teams, fans, and officials are now in overdrive getting ready for the start of the 61st season of competition this Thursday, June 18. Although the offseason has lasted far longer than anyone would like, and cast the season opener in an unusual light, racers of all stripes are ready to finally hit the high banks with full-scale, door-to-door competition.

All four Thunder Road divisions are on the card for Thursday’s opener. In many ways, it will look like a normal action-packed Thursday night of racing, with the Maplewood/Irving Oil Late Models, Lenny’s Shoe & Apparel Flying Tigers, Allen Lumber Street Stocks, and Burnett Scrap Metals Road Warriors all looking forward to a season of racing.

The only thing that will be missing is fans in the stands. Due to state health and safety restrictions related to the worldwide COVID-19 outbreak, spectator attendance at Vermont racing events is not permitted for the time being.

However, Thunder Road fans can watch all the action live via pay-per-view on Northeast Sports Network (NSN). After two weekends of events at New Hampshire’s White Mountain Motorsports Park and mostly rave reviews, NSN brings their multi-camera broadcast to the top of Quarry Hill for the first time. The event can be viewed on NSN’s website as well as most mobile and smart TV platforms.

Although the circumstances are different, racers and fans alike are eager for the season to start. Most are simply happy they will finally the green flag at their favorite track after multiple postponements and months of uncertainty.

“It’s not ideal, we know, but it’s a step in the right direction,” Street Stock racer Juan “Paco” Marshall said. “I, for one, am grateful that the track owner and staff have tried so hard to get through the red tape and jump through a bunch of hoops to get it this far — so we will be there to race and show our support. All I ask of fans is to please show your support to the track we all love and get the pay-per-view. I promise we will still put on the best show we can!”

“Thank you for thinking of your racers and fans,” Carol Fleck added on Facebook. “It won't be the same as being there, but I am thankful to be a part of the action in this form rather than no form. I would go out on a limb and say, it will likely be the best thing I will have seen on TV in the past few months!”

Beginning with Thursday’s event, Thunder Road plans to follow the original 2020 schedule as closely as possible, though a few adjustments might be made. The track also intends to make up the three events that have been postponed, which include the American-Canadian Tour Community Bank N.A. 150, Mekkelsen RV Memorial Day Classic, and Myers Container Service Triple Crown Series opener.

Along the way, fans everywhere will get to cheer on local heroes such as Jason Corliss, Scott Dragon, Jason Woodard, and Stephen Martin. Regardless of if and when fans are allowed to attend, Thunder Road and Northeast Sports Network plan to offer pay-per-view for all events, meaning you can watch the “Nation’s Site of Excitement” from anywhere in the nation — or even the world.

“The pay-per-view broadcast has been an amazing addition,” Thunder Road managing partner Cris Michaud said. “Although it came about partly out of necessity, Northeast Sports Network has really stepped up to the challenge. Their first weekend at White Mountain was great, and their second one was even better. We’re proud to give fans around the globe a chance to see local short track racing at its finest.”

Thunder Road opens its 2020 racing season Thursday, June 18 at 7:00pm with a pay-per-view event. The Maplewood/Irving Late Models, Lenny’s Shoe & Apparel Flying Tigers, Allen Lumber Street Stocks, and Burnett Scrap Metals Road Warriors all have their first races of the year. The action can be viewed exclusively on the Northeast Sports Network for just $15. The full schedule of events is available on the Thunder Road website.

For more information, contact the Thunder Road offices at (802) 244-6963, media@thunderroadvt.com, or visit www.thunderroadvt.com. You can also get updates on Facebook and Twitter at @ThunderRoadVT.

For more about the Northeast Sports Network, visit www.NSNsports.net or follow them on Facebook and Twitter at @NSNsports.