Maplefields Signs on as Late Model Division Sponsor Through 2026

Barre, VT — A new name will underwrite the region’s most competitive headline division as the St. Albans-based Maplefields and Irving Oil have signed on for title sponsorship of the Late Models at Thunder Road International Speedbowl. Labeled ‘the Thunder and Lightning’ of the Nation’s Site of Excitement by the late, great Ken Squier, the Maplefields/Irving Late Models will chase the 65th King of the Road track championship hardware in 2024.

A family business since 1946, R.L. Vallee Inc. was one of the first in Vermont to grow a convenience store business. In 1998, they cemented their place with the very first Maplefields branded store in Woodstock. More than twenty-five years later, the Maplefields brand is renowned across Northern New England and Eastern New York and has developed a strong reputation for great food options, quality fuels offer, overall cleanliness and especially clean restrooms! Maplefields is also very well known for having the best coffee around to fulfill your early morning or afternoon pick-me-up needs.

The Late Models have been the headline division at Thunder Road since 1992, creating over thirty-years of hard-nosed, side-by-side and down-to-the-wire competition that has made the Nation’s Site of Excitement THE place to be every Thursday night. The division competes weekly under the American-Canadian Tour Late Model rules.

Alan Ward photo

“Once we heard that Maplewood was transitioning out, we immediately got a hold of the folks at Maplefields and the response was amazing,” said Thunder Road marketing director Marvin Galarneau. “Otto (Hansen) was quick to point out the benefits of having the relationship with Thunder Road and we’re both very excited for the season.”

Many of the Maplefields/Irving Late Models are expected to take on the American-Canadian Tour invaders on opening weekend with the 26th annual Community Bank 150 on Sunday, May 5. The King of the Road track championship season for the Maplefields/Irving Late Models begins in earnest on Sunday, May 26 with the 61st Mekkelsen RV Memorial Day Classic 125!

With 52 locations across Northern New York, Vermont and New Hampshire, Maplefields stores specialize in great coffee, clean restrooms with Irving Fuels on hand at many sites. Operating under a philosophy of keeping clean convenience stores, offering a variety of choices, and providing easy-to-access locations, Maplefields is your local one stop shop. Visit them online at www.maplefields.com and find your nearest location today!

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.