Monaco Modifieds and Maplewood/Irving Oil Late Models Ready for Memorial Day Immortality

Barre, VT — When the haulers roll through the gates Sunday morning for the 59th running of the Mekkelsen RV Memorial Day Classic at Thunder Road, the drivers enter the arena searching for immortality. For the Monaco Modified Tri-Track stars, it means the first time their rumble has echoed off the Green Mountains in twelve years and a chance at $10,000. For the Maplewood/Irving Oil Late Models it means starting the 2022 points-season strong with a shot at getting their names etched in granite for all time.   

Erik Tavares photo

Jason Corliss is, as he has been the last five years, an early favorite to claim his third consecutive Mekkelsen RV Memorial Day Classic and fourth overall. “Memorial Day has been a really good race for us over the years and I’m really excited to get back to the track and try to continue that trend,” said Corliss. It may not be all too easy for the defending King of the Road champion.  

Past victor and Thunder Road three-peat champion Derrick O’Donnell is sure to put the pressure on the Burnett Scrap Metals team. “We’ve been working hard on the car...and we feel like we will be 10% better than we were at the opener,” said North Haverhill, New Hampshire’s O’Donnell. “If we continue to chase that 10%, we’ll be on top again soon.” As if the ‘Black Knight of the White Mountains’ isn’t enough to stop Corliss in his tracks, next generation drivers like Stephen Donahue, Brandon Lanphear and Marcel Gravel are hungry to etch their names in granite for the first time. 

Alan Ward photo

As of Tuesday, twenty-five Monaco Modified Tri-Track Series teams had placed their tire orders with Manchester, Connecticut’s Hoosier Tire East, the final step in their preparations to invade the Barre highbanks. Some of the Northeast’s top open wheel competitors including Matt Hirschman, Chase Dowling, Chris Pasteryak and Ronnie Williams are expected.  

Preston, Connecticut’s Max Zachem is one of the few Modified drivers with experience at The Road and he’s ready to pick up where he left off. “I’m excited to get back to Thunder Road this weekend,” Zachem said. “I really believe our cars and tire compound will make an excellent race with the great entry list we have heading into the weekend. Cris Michaud and company have done an excellent job revamping the track and we’re excited to return for Memorial Day weekend.” 

Courtesy Tom Morris Racing Photography

Although no granite monument stands for the exciting and innovative history the Modifieds have held at Thunder Road in the past, the Monaco Modified teams bring that same hunger for victory as they chase down the $10,000 grand prize, as well as an iconic Barre Granite trophy for their mantel back home. The only question is, will it go to an ultra-experienced Hirschman, Williams or Pasteryak or will all the spoils go home with a Dark Horse young-gun?  

Barre, Vermont’s Thunder Road roars to life on Sunday, May 29th for the 59th Mekkelsen RV Memorial Day Classic. Along with the 125-lap-Classic for the Maplewood/Irving Oil Late Models, the Lenny’s Shoe & Apparel Flying Tigers, rk Miles Street Stocks and Burnetts Scrap Metals Road Warriors continue their 2022 seasons. The mighty Tour-type Modifieds also make their grand return to ‘The Road’ with the Monaco Modified Tri-Track Series $10,000-to-win Granite City 100.  

General Admission for Sunday’s 59th Mekkelsen RV Memorial Day Classic is $30 for Adults, $10 for Children aged 6-12 and Children under 5 are free! Front Gates will open at 10:00am with Post Time for the five-division full card of racing is set for 1:30pm. 

For more information on the Monaco Modified Tri-Track Series, visit www.monacomodifieds.com or contact info@monacomodifieds.com. You can also follow the Series on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @MonacoMods. 

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, Twitter, and Instagram at @ThunderRoadVT. 

All racing events at Thunder Road Speedbowl, including the Mekkelsen RV Memorial Day Classic and the $100,000-purse Northfield Savings Bank Vermont Milk Bowl, will be broadcast live and around the world on FloRacing with a monthly or yearly subscription. For more information about FloRacing, visit www.FloRacing.com or www.FloSports.tv.