Fans, Teams Revved Up and Ready for Community Bank Opening Weekend at Thunder Road

Barre, VT — The time has finally arrived for Thunder Road’s 65th Season Opener with the 26th annual Community Bank N.A. 150 this Sunday, May 5! Alongside the Stars and Cars of the American-Canadian Tour, the Lenny’s Shoe & Apparel Flying Tigers, rk Miles Street Stocks and Burnett Scrap Metals Road Warriors all get their 2024 seasons off and running in front of the big opening day crowd at the Nation’s Site of Excitement!

A strong and talented group of weekly warriors in the Maplefields/Irving Late Models are set to defend Thunder Road from the invading American-Canadian Tour teams. Defending King of the Road track champion Stephen Donahue leads fellow former Kings Christopher Pelkey, Jason Corliss and Bobby Therrien in the defense of their castle against the likes of D.J. Shaw, Derek Gluchacki and a host of other Northeast stars. Kaiden Fisher, Cooper Bouchard, Brandon Lanphear and Stephen Martin will also be among the weekly warriors looking to join the Community Bank 150 field as will former Thunder Road stars-turned ACT chasers Bryan Wall, Tanner Woodard, Brooks Clark, Jimmy Hebert and more are expected to join the frey on Sunday.

Alan Ward photo

The #1 Support Division in North America, the Lenny’s Shoe & Apparel Flying Tigers, are ready to return to action after a winter’s hibernation. Defending champion Kyle Streeter is more than prepared to defend his title at The Road against top aces like Brandon Grey, Logan Powers, Sam Caron, Jason Woodard and more! Championship runner-up Jason Pelkey has had a busy off-season with his graphic design business taking off like wildfire, but he indicated he’ll be ready for opening day even if a few late nights lay ahead.

Alan Ward photo

2023 rk Miles Street Stock champion James Dopp has indicated he will be running a part-time schedule as he prepares for a big upcoming wedding, leaving the door wide open in New England’s most competitive four-cylinder division. Immediate front-runner is 2022 champion, and 2023 runner-up, Dean Switser who’s confident his machine is ready to best the field on opening day once again. After coming off a career season, Trevor Jaques will also be one to watch, as will Jamie Davis, Juan ‘Paco’ Marshall and Tommy ‘Thunder’ Smith just to name a few!

Alan Ward photo

The Street Stocks aren’t the only four-cylinders that get to have fun on the highbanks, in fact the Burnett Scrap Metals Road Warriors usually have the most fun out of anyone at Thunder Road! The simply-stock machines beat and bang each other through every turn, usually with the biggest of smiles on their faces. While several have moved up the ranks, rest assured that fan-favorites Nate ‘Tater’ Brien, Tyler Wheatley, Jason Kirby and the Garvey Family are ready to return against the incoming invaders.

Thunder Road Int’l Speedbowl in Barre, Vermont is prepared to start the 2024 season with the 26th annual Community Bank N.A. 150 for the American-Canadian Tour on Sunday, May 5. The Season Opener follows the Kenley Dean Extravaganza; A Celebration of Life for the One-and-Only Ken Squier, founder of the Nation’s Site of Excitement, on Saturday, May 4.

Saturday’s festivities include the annual car show and open at 9:00am, free to the public. Sunday’s Community Bank N.A. 150 will begin promptly at 12:50pm with Class Day Activities and racing action will begin at 1:30pm. Grandstands open at 10:00am on Sunday, General Admission tickets will be available at $25 for adults, $10 for kids 12-6 with children 5 and under admitted free!

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.