Preston’s Kia Independence Day Spectacular Set for Sunday Fireworks in the Sky and on the Track

Barre, VT — In honor of the 246th birthday of our United States of America, the Preston’s Kia Independence Day Spectacular on Sunday, July 3rd is ready to present fireworks both on and off the racetrack at Barre, Vermont’s Thunder Road. Following Thursday’s Scout Night event, the standings in all three point-counting divisions have received quite the shake up and leave much to be settled moving into the month of July.

Buzz Fisher photo

While he didn’t win the race, Graniteville’s Stephen Donahue certainly stole the show on Thursday. As if coming from near the back of his heat race to the front in just 12-laps wasn’t enough, he again proved his worth making the outside work in the feature. His sprint from the 15th starting position to 3rd also helped earn his new lead in the Maplewood/Irving Oil Late Model standings over Montpelier’s Kyle Pembroke. With Graniteville’s Christopher Pelkey just seven-points out of the top spot, and a current top-three of would-be-first-time-champions, the competition may be at an all-season-high on Preston’s Kia night.  

Justin Prescott remains consistent in keeping the leaderboard covered in Lenny’s Shoe & Apparel Flying Tiger competition so far. Most impressive of the Thunder Road divisions, the current top six in Flying Tiger points would also be first-time champions, one of them is still looking for his first Thunder Road win. After a strong third-place run on Thursday, Milton’s Robert Gordon in the iconic H20 Well Drilling machine remains hungry for his first win after years of dominating the Renegade division on the asphalt at West Haven’s Devil’s Bowl Speedway and Plattsburg, New York’s Airborne Speedway. What better way to nab that first Thunder Road win than in front of the expected capacity crowd on Preston’s Kia Independence Day Spectacular?!

The rk Miles Street Stock also got their first major points shake up with Barre’s Jeffrey Martin using strong consistency over the past several weeks to take over the top spot from Dean Swister, Jr. following mechanical problems in Thursday’s feature event. Against them will be the strongly consistent Josh Lovely and Kyler Davis, both cars having been fast and ultra-competitive in the last several events. The battles have been fierce for the rk Miles Street Stock class this season, and the action on Preston’s Kia will certainly be enough to make even Northstar Fireworks jealous!

Rounding out the line-up are the Burnett Scrap Metals Road Warriors back again for the annual Fourth of July celebration sponsored by Preston’s Kia. After Williamstown’s Nate ‘Tater’ Brien took down the Scout Night win, he’s got a big bullseye on the back of his Black and Red Cavalier. Both Neal Foster and ‘Flyin’ Fred Fleury would love nothing more than a repeat victory in 2022 while fellow veterans Josh Vilbrin, Rodney Campbell and Nick Copping are looking for their first victory of the season under the Northstar Fireworks.

Alan Ward photo

Thunder Road continues the annual Fourth of July festivities with the Preston’s Kia Independence Day Spectacular on Sunday, July 3rd. The Maplewood/Irving Oil Late Models, Lenny’s Shoe & Apparel Flying Tigers, rk Miles Street Stocks and Burnett Scrap Metals Road Warriors all return to the high banks for the greatest fireworks display in Central Vermont. Post Time is set for 7:00pm with adult tickets on sale for $15, kids 12 and under for $5 with the Family Four Pack available for $30. Full schedule is available online at www.thunderroadvt.com/schedule.

All racing events at Thunder Road Speedbowl, including the Preston’s Kia Independence Day Spectacular 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.

Preston’s Kia is located on Gallison Hill Road in Montpelier, Vermont and provides the best customer service for all your automotive needs. From specializing in Kia products to sales and service of nearly every make and model, Preston’s Kia’s experienced staff will help you with every step along the way. Give Preston’s the chance to serve all your automotive needs and experience all the reasons they have so many loyal customers. 855-964-4447 is the only number you’ll ever need or visit them on the web at www.prestonskia.com.

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.