Preston’s Kia Prepared for Annual Independence Day Spectacular at Thunder Road

Barre, VT — Both Montpelier’s Preston’s Kia and Thunder Road officials are excitedly anticipating Thursday’s Independence Day showdown this Thursday, July 4 to celebrate the 248th birthday of these United States with the help of Northstar Fireworks set to provide Central Vermont’s Largest Fireworks Display! Race teams and fans alike are also looking forward to the Preston’s Kia Independence Day Spectacular with good, hardnosed racing on tap alongside the Fourth of July festivities!

Alan Ward photo

After breaking the tie during Scouts Night, Barre’s Cody Blake is firmly in control of the Maplefield/Irving Late Models by eight points over Chip Grenier. Last Thursday’s action saw the Late Model field run two-by-two over the first half of their 50-lap main event, leading many an impatient driver looking to get their chance at the checkered flag this time around. The Maplefield/Irving Late Models have an important stretch in these two weeks following the Preston’s Kia Independence Day Spectacular. Sunday’s Jack Daniel’s Ready to Drink Cocktails 100 is set as Round #2 of the inaugural Squier Cup Triple Crown before wrapping up the title next Thursday with the rescheduled Vermont Governor’s Cup.

Coming off the first of three extra distance features in the Myers Container Triple Crown, the Lenny’s Shoe & Apparel Flying Tigers are under the lead of Colchester’s Sam Caron. Caron has been hot-to-trot in recent weeks after winning two feature events back-to-back on the Barre highbanks. With Caron looking to make it three-for-three, he’s set for some tough competition in Thursday’s 40-lap main including Brandon Gray, Logan Powers, Brendan Moodie and both Kyle and Kevin Streeter, the father and son each looking to bounce back from a rough performance last Thursday.

Alan Ward photo

Alan Ward photo

Milton’s Trevor Jaques continues to overpower the rk Miles Street Stocks, winning his second feature of the season while pulling double-duty with his Flying Tiger last week and maintaining his strong point lead over former champion Dean Switser Jr. Both Jaques and Switser have been extremely consistent with Switser remaining the only driver to finish in the top-five for all four events so far this season. Don’t count out Tyler Whittemore or Zach Audet either, both drivers joining Switser and Jaques in all top-ten finishes this season and maintaining strong points finishes as early favorites for the overall crown!

The Burnett Scrap Metals Road Warriors also return for the Preston’s Kia Independence Day Spectacular to cap off the holiday classic at Thunder Road. Milton’s Bert Duffy joined Nate ‘Tater’ Brien and Kendall Zeno as 2024 Road Warrior winners last Thursday with a competitive season for the entry-level class that continues to showcase incredible racing each time they hit the asphalt.

Thunder Road kicks off its annual early-July stretch of racing on Thursday, July 4th with the Preston’s Kia Independence Day Spectacular featuring Central Vermont’s Largest Fireworks display courtesy of Northstar Fireworks of E. Montpelier and Bradford! All four divisions will be in action with a 7:00pm Post Time. Adult General Admission is set at $15, kids 12-6 for $5 and children 5 and under free with the Family Four Pack (Two Adults, Two Kids) 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.