Nail-Biting Finishes on Tap for Lenny’s Shoe & Apparel Thunder Road Championship Night

Barre, VT — Seemingly endless rain, some of the best racing in recent memory, first-time victors and familiar faces dotting victory lane - It has all come down to this. Friday, September 15th brings the 64th Thunder Road Championship Night presented by Lenny’s Shoe & Apparel with razor-thin point chases ready to be decided in one final showdown. Along with crowning the Maplewood/Irving Late Model, Lenny’s Shoe & Apparel Flying Tiger and rk Miles Street Stock champions, the Burnett Scrap Metal Road Warriors go for double features along with the greatest display of fireworks Montpelier’s Northstar Fireworks has ever put on at Thunder Road to help celebrate the occasion! 

The top-6 Maplewood/Irving Oil Late Model drivers are separated by just twenty points with top dog Stephen Donahue pacing ahead of Marcel Gravel by a mere six points while Scott Dragon, Nick Sweet, Kaiden Fisher and Christopher Pelkey have all proved they have the speed and consistency to make a strong run at the title in Friday’s 64-lap championship chase. Three have their names etched in the granite pillars at the front gate while three do not, but all are looking to add to the record books at the Nation’s Site of Excitement. 

Alan Ward photo

After losing a right front tire on lap 8 of last Friday’s feature event, Sam Caron’s point lead has disappeared and now sits in fourth place, remaining just five points behind new leader Brandon Gray. The tightest championship battle of the night, the Lenny’s Shoe & Apparel Flying Tigers also include Kyle Streeter and Jason Pelkey in that top-4 mix. The difference between one or two positions among these top four in both Friday’s heat race qualifier and 50-lap feature event will determine the 2023 Flying Tiger champion. 

Alan Ward photo

Northfield’s James Dopp holds a 24-point lead over defending rk Miles Street Stock champion Dean Switser Jr. who has come on strong over the last half of the season. After claiming the Street Stock triple crown honors last Friday, Switser would love nothing more than to claim back-to-back champions in New England’s most competitive four-cylinder division. Throughout the season the Street Stocks have proved it’s not over until it’s over, meaning a last lap dash, hard luck or yet another first-time winner isn’t out of the question for their championship 30-lap feature event. 

Alan Ward photo

After rain came pouring down in waves last time out, the Burnett Scrap Metal Road Warriors have earned rare Championship Night Double Features! While these four-cylinder novices don’t collect points, they put in the same gear jamming, heart-stopping action as the rest and twin-20 lap features on Friday will only add to their legend on the highbanks! 

Alan Ward photo

Thunder Road is back Friday, September 15th for the 64th Season Championship Night presented by Lenny’s Shoe & Apparel. The point battles are coming down to the wire for the Maplewood/Irving Oil Late Models, Lenny’s Shoe & Apparel Flying Tigers and rk Miles Street Stocks with the Burnett Scrap Metals Road Warriors taking on DOUBLE FEATURES. The battle for the 2023 King of the Road championship will come down to the final of 64-laps along with the return of Northstar Fireworks, promising a massive, awe-inspiring spectacle to celebrate the newest champions of the Nation’s Site of Excitement! Post Time is set for 7:00pm with adult general admission available for $15, children 12-6 for $5 and kids 5 and under free! The Family Four Pass, two adults and two kids, is also available for $30. 

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.