Thunder Road Sponsor Spotlights: Billboard Sponsors & Special Partners, Part 1

In our final Sponsor Spotlight of the offseason, we have a two-part look at the growing number of billboard /signage sponsors and special partners at Thunder Road. Recent capital improvements at the track have also opened to door for other ways that local businesses can get involved with local auto racing. We’ve also brought on partners for other aspects of making the race track go every Thursday night. Their participation goes a long way towards further developments to make sure Thunder Road is the best it can be. Make sure to thank them for their support in any way you can! (Note: billboard sponsors are listed in alphabetical order.)

Cabot Creamery Cooperative (NEW!)

Sponsor of the 50/50 draw

Although the traditional 50/50 drawing was unable to happen in 2020 due to health and safety guidelines, Cabot Creamer will be presenting the draw when it returns. The 50/50 has long been a staple of Thunder Road and other tracks. Tickets cost just $1 each, with half the money going to one lucky winner and the other half going to the driver’s point funds. At big events, the top prize can exceed $2,000 or even $3,000. It makes the drawing one of the most exciting parts of the night, so us and Cabot can’t want for the 50/50 to finally come back. In the meantime, the Cabot billboard reminds everyone who offers the best cheddar on the planet.

Cabot Creamery has been making award-winning cheese and dairy products since 1919. Cabot earned a combined 15 awards at the 2020 National Milk Producers Federation Contest and World Championship Cheese Contest, including Best in Class for Cabot Extra Sharp Cheddar. In addition to dozens of cheeses, Cabot also makes butter, Greek yogurt, cream cheese, dips, and many other products. They merged with Argi-Mark in 1992, a larger cooperative that has members throughout New England and New York. Visit www.cabotcheese.coop to learn more about their products and purchase them at the nearest supermarket.

Froggy 104.3 & 100.9/Great Eastern Radio (NEW!)

Almost every country music fan in Central Vermont knows Froggy — and after this year, even more will know who they are! Thunder Road has long advertised on the Froggy radio dial, and this summer, they will have a prominent billboard at the track. Even those who come for the adorable frog mascot will stay for the impressive country music playlist, entertaining DJs, prize giveaways, news reports, and community updates.

Froggy 104.3 and 100.9 has been Vermont’s Country Superstation for more than 20 years. They started broadcasting to the Barre-Montpelier area on the 100.9 FM WWFY frequency in October 2000.  In June 2020, Froggy also began simulcasting on 104.3 FM WJKS out of Keeseville, NY, which serves the Burlington/Plattsburgh area. If you’re away on a trip, you can still listen live by streaming the station at www.froggyvermont.com. Froggy is part of the Great Eastern Radio family, which consists a dozen different radio stations throughout New England. Other Great Eastern Radio stations include 107.1 Frank FM (classic rock), 105.7 The Beat (hits), 106.7/96.3 Kool FM (oldies), and 94 ESPN Radio (sports). See the full catalog at www.greateasternradio.com.

Goss Dodge Chrysler Ram Jeep (NEW!)

One new Thunder Road billboard sponsor is familiar to those who have followed Northeast Late Model racing over the past three decades. Goss Dodge — the longtime employer and sponsor of ACT Late Model Tour legend Brian Hoar, who is now the dealership’s Vice President/General Manager — continues to support local racing. Their billboard reminds all of our Central Vermont and Chittenden County fans where they can find a great new vehicle. And they can talk some racing while they’re at it!

Goss Dodge Chrysler Ram Jeep of South Burlington, VT is one of the largest automotive dealerships in the Greater Burlington area. Its history goes all the way back to 1895! To this day, they’ve been providing an outstanding shopping experience for cars, trucks, SUVs, and minivans, In 2019, Goss Dodge received the Dealer Rater Consumer Satisfaction Award and was also named Vermont’s Dodge, Chrysler, and Ram Dealer of the Year. Goss also has an authorized Mopar parts dealer, full service center, and collision center that are open 6 days a week. Start the search for your next vehicle or schedule a service appointment at www.gossdodgechrsylerramjeep.com.

K. Bellavance Landworks & Hauling

Every time a fan glances at the base of the new Thunder Road lighting system that was added mid-2018, they can see the K. Bellavance Landworks & Hauling. The company already was a sponsor of multiple racers at the track. When Thunder Road needed someone to install the new lighting, K. Bellavance jumped at the opportunity to assist, providing the landscaping work for the project. Their logos adorn the system as a thank-you to their efforts to get the system installed in such a timely and high-quality manner.

K. Bellavance Landworks & Hauling is your Barre, VT professional for land and property work. They’re a year-round company with seven divisions that work throughout the state of Vermont. Services include excavating, landscaping, lawn and field maintenance, hydroseeding, paving and concrete, material hauling, and snow/ice control. K. Bellevance projects range from small residential yardwork to large-scale commercial property maintenance. They offer 24/7 service, free estimates, and a 100% workmanship guarantee. Visit www.bellavancelandworks.com to learn more or call (802) 279-8488 for an estimate.

Malone Properties

Even before Pat Malone became co-owner of Thunder Road in April 2017, Malone Properties had a huge presence in local racing. The company has employed and/or sponsored many Thunder Road racers over the years. Over the past four year, Pat Malone has put his development skills to work spear-heading a wide range of Thunder Road facility improvements and upgrades, such as the new Turn 3/Turn 4 seating and pit pavement. Although the track’s makeover was put on pause in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Malone hopes to soon resume making Thunder Road the motorsports showplace of the Northeast.

Malone Properties is a leading Vermont-based real estate management, development, and investment firm. Their investment portfolio includes more than 1 million square feet of residential and commercial properties throughout the state. Their specialties include land acquisition, revitalizing commercial properties, personalized corporate development, facility management, and project leasing. Tenants of Malone Properties include Keurig Dr. Pepper, Cabot Creamery Cooperative, Verizon Wireless, U.S. Border Patrol, the State of Vermont, and Trader Joe’s. Check out some of their current projects and available properties at www.malone-properties.com.

Mansfield Heliflight (NEW!)

Sometimes, going fast on the ground isn’t enough — a person just needs to take to the air. When they do, Mansfield Heliflight of Milton can help them get to their destination. Owner Eric Chase has been racing at Thunder Road for 20 years. He isn’t just a multi-time stock car winner, though. Chase is also one of the most trusted helicopter pilots in the world.  He established Mansfield Heliflight in 1986 to serve both private and public demands. The company’s new Thunder Road billboard lets fans know who they can go to for an aerial adventure.

Mansfield Heliflight has clients on five different continents who charter flights for personal, business, industrial, and government needs. Local sightseeing flight tours are available along with aerial photography and surveillance services. Some of Mansfield Heliflight’s most notable clients have included ABC News, the Washington Post, Levi Strauss, AT&T, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. They also sell complete aircraft and are an authorized Robinson Helicopter service center. Last but not least, Mansfield Heliflight operates a certified flight instruction school where students can earn five different pilot licenses. Learn more at www.mansfieldheliflight.com.

National Response Corporation (NRC)

Official sponsor of the Thunder Road safety truck

Whenever clean-up is needed on the track, National Response Corporation (NRC) helps provide it. After presenting multiple events at Thunder Road as ENPRO Services — which NRC acquired in April 1016 — the agency agreed several years ago to sponsor the safety truck. Accidents are an unfortunate part of racing, but thanks to the track’s skilled safety workers and NRC, the race and the teams are quickly ready to go green again.

NRC is the world’s largest provider of commercial and industrial environmental services. They’ve been provided safety-driven cleanup solutions to many sectors since 1992 (ENPRO had been serving the Northeast with similar services since 1983). NRC services include waste management, site remediation, industrial cleaning, large-scale spill cleanup, and emergency hazard response. Their success is thanks in part to an unyielding commitment to safety for both their customers and employees. Learn more at www.nrcc.com.

New Hampshire Motor Speedway

When fans glance at turns 1 and 2, they can’t miss the large NHMS banner. The largest oval track in New England has a series of signs at Thunder Road to rotate depending on their event schedule. Many Thunder Road fans also go to NHMS for the annual Cup event and other big races on the calendar. Some drivers will also make the trip for the ACT/PASS Northeast Classic on April 17. For many local racers, getting on track at NHMS is a bucket-list item, and we’re happy to partner with them as people chance that dream.

New Hampshire Motor Speedway is a motorsports facility in Loudon, NH. The original 1.058-mile asphalt oval — better known as “The Magic Mile” — first opened in 1990, built by Bob Bahre on the site of the former Bryar Motorsports Park. Since then, NHMS has added a 1.6-mile road course and a quarter-mile dirt “flat track”. The highlights of their 2021 schedule includes the Foxwoods Resort Casino 301 for the NASCAR Cup Series on Sunday, July 18, the six-division Northeast Classic on Saturday, April 17. NHMS will also host the Loudon Classic (the longest-running motorcycle race in North America), along with the NASCAR Xfinity Series, Whelen Modified Tour, Sports Car Club of America, and many other series. See the complete schedule at www.nhms.com.

Northstar Fireworks

Official fireworks provider of Thunder Road and White Mountain Motorsports Park

Whenever there’s a fireworks display at an ACT-sanctioned track, Northstar Fireworks is the one providing it. Their shows for Independence Day, the Milk Bowl, and other events in recent years have electrified auto racing fans. Unfortunately, fireworks at Thunder Road have been on pause since the start of 2020 due to the pandemic, but fans who went to the Independence Day doubleheader at WMMP last year could see them in all their glory. Northstar Fireworks now also has a billboard at Thunder Road and hopefully will be able to resume shows there soon.

As Vermont’s premier fireworks company, Northstar Fireworks puts on more than 250 spectacular shows a year across New England and New York. Their clients include municipalities, weddings, fairgrounds, ski resorts, and performances. A specially-trained teams of technicians and artists make sure every show goes off just the way the client wants, often beginning preparations months in advance. Northstar Fireworks also has consumer retail stores in East Montpelier and St. Johnsbury with online ordering available. Learn more at www.northstarfireworks.com.