Vermont Department of Liquor and Lottery Pens Three-Year Deal with Thunder Road Governor’s Cup

Barre, VT — The biggest event of the summer for the Maplewood/Irving Oil Late Models has received a new title sponsor for the next three years. After a nine-year hiatus, the Vermont Department of Liquor and Lottery returns to present the 43rd Vermont Governor’s Cup 150 on Thursday, July 14. One of the most iconic races in the state of Vermont, the Vermont Lottery Governor’s Cup annually serves as the opening event in the New England NASCAR weekend at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.  

The Vermont Lottery is responsible for the creation, sale and redemption of lottery tickets, as well as garnering education funding and advocating for responsible gambling throughout the State of Vermont.  Starting back in 1978, the Vermont Lottery originally contributed profits generated from their operation to the General Fund before a statehouse vote in 1998 altered the contributions to enter the State Education Fund. In 2021 alone, the Vermont Lottery contributed $31.9 million to the Education Fund with over half-a-billion-dollars being contributed to Education since 1999. Official Vermont Lottery tickets and games are easily accessible at your local convenience stores and outlets across the State. Every time you buy a VT Lottery ticket, the students of the Vermont win. #802Wins 

The first Vermont Governor’s Cup was held back in 1961 and has spent a chaotic sixty years bouncing back-and-forth between Barre’s Thunder Road and Milton’s Catamount Stadium, between local and touring sanctioning and even from the Sportsman Coupes of old, Tour-type Modifieds, Flying Tigers, NASCAR Late Model Sportsman, and the ACT Pro Stocks. After a 15-year absence, the Governor’s Cup returned to Thunder Road in 2005 with the local ACT Late Models being the stock car of choice.  

Alan Ward photo

Forty-two champions are in the book with such Northeast legends as Bugs Stevens, Dave Dion, Jean-Paul Cabana, Robbie Crouch and Bobby and Beaver Dragon having etched their names into the 61-year-old trophy. The Vermont Governor’s Cup has also been the high-point for blue collar part timers and hard-luck heroes. Folks like inaugural winner Mike Osborne, Jim Cilley, Williamstown’s Cooper MacRitchie and Barre’s Cody Blake have had career high victories in the Governor’s Cup winners circle. When Brooks Clark took the checkered flag in 2019 it was the biggest win of the Fayston, Vermonter’s career, jump starting strong Vermont Milk Bowl finishes and his 2021 sweep of ACT Late Model Tour events at the Barre Speedbowl.  

“We’re excited to sponsor the Governor’s Cup and partnering with Thunder Road while playing a small part in supporting organizations that bring the community together,” said Vermont Lottery Marketing Manager Skip Whitman. “It’s been a while since the Lottery has been able to engage with community members and players and we couldn’t be more excited to share in a night of fun, racing and entertainment.” 

Excitement was the word most used by Whitman, and it only escalated he learned a NASCAR Cup Series star would be joining the fray. “Knowing that there’s a NASCAR driver coming to Thunder Road…speaks volumes to the level of competition race fans can expect on any given Thursday night. We are honored to be the sponsor for what will be an unforgettable night of top-level racing.” 

“To have the combination of a new title sponsor in the Vermont Lottery, along with a NASCAR Cup Series star, continues to build up the Governor’s Cup,” said Thunder Road managing partner Cris Michaud. “It’s always great to have a sponsor return and we can’t wait to tell everyone about this year’s NASCAR invader, with Skip and his team just as eager to learn as the rest of you!” 

The 43rd Vermont Lottery Governor’s Cup is set for Thursday, July 14 with a special post time of 6:30. The nights festivities will include the Vermont Lottery Governor’s Cup 150 for the Maplewood/Irving Oil Late Models supported by the Lenny’s Shoe & Apparel Flying Tigers and rk Miles Street Stocks. Keep your eyes open as we announce our 2022 NASCAR Cup Series invader Friday to find out who’s ready to take on your favorite local Late Models! 

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