Thunder Road Continues Early-Summer Drive on CCV Night

Barre, VT – The cars and stars of Barre’s Thunder Road return to the high banks this Thursday, June 25 for Community College of Vermont Night. After their extra-long off-season finally ended last week, teams are looking to get into their summer groove and see who the players will be in the 2020 championship chases.

Even with only one event in the books, there is plenty to talk about for fans of local racing.  From Marcel J. Gravel’s yeoman effort to gut out a win with a failing power steering system to surprising results for several expected championship contenders, storylines are forming for the season ahead.

Unfortunately, for the second straight week, front grandstand attendance will not be permitted due to state health and safety guidelines. However, Northeast Sports Network is returning for a live pay-per-view that lets fans experience the action in their home, backyard, or campsite. Their multi-camera broadcast with instant replay gives fans a view they have never seen before of the racing atop Quarry Hill. The pay-per-view is available now for purchase at www.NSNsports.net/sponsors/racing.

The Maplewood/Irving Oil Late Models are ready for round two of the “King of the Road” bout. Wolcott’s Gravel stands up top after one round, but with a 14-round card over the summer, nothing is decided yet. Defending “King of the Road” Jason Corliss of Barre began his defense with a runner-up finish last Thursday while Christopher Pelkey of Graniteville and Darrell Morin of Westford got their seasons started on the right foot.

On the other hand, multi-time track champions Scott Dragon of Milton and Derek O’Donnell of North Haverhill, NH are already behind the eight-ball after finishing back in the pack one week ago. While both have plenty of time to recover, one of their mulligans is gone, and they know they can’t afford many more.

In the Lenny’s Shoe & Apparel Flying Tigers, veteran Mike Billado of Grand Isle is atop the heap after one event. On opening night, the veteran became the 12th driver in division history to reach double-digit wins, giving him the early leg up.

Fellow veterans such as defending champion Jason Woodard of Waterbury and Robert Gordon of Milton also are off to solid starts. Youngsters like Colin Cornell, Jaden Perry, and Jason Pelkey have carried their strong 2019 performances into the new year. With more than 30 Flying Tigers in the pits last week and another big field expected this week, simply getting into the feature may be an accomplishment for some.

Fans will also get a double-dose of four-cylinder action from the Allen Lumber Street Stocks and Burnett Scrap Metals Road Warriors. Both divisions are small in vehicle size but big on excitement, as they each put on thrilling shows one week ago. Thunder Road stars such as Tim Hunt, Jamie Davis, Brandon Gray, and defending champion Jeffrey Martin lead the Street Stocks into Thursday’s action while the Road Warriors have made household names out of entry-level racers like Chris Davis, Brian Putney, “Flyin’” Fred Fleury and Mike Mitchell.

Barre’s Thunder Road roars to life this Thursday, June 25 at 7:00pm with CCV Night. A full card of action is slated for the Maplewood/Irving Oil Late Models, Lenny’s Shoe & Apparel Flying Tigers, Allen Lumber Street Stocks, and Burnett Scrap Metals Road Warriors. The event will be available for pay-per-view on Northeast Sports Network for $15. Front grandstand attendance is not permitted due to state health and safety guidelines.