ACT’s Laperle Named “Best Northeast Touring Racer” at SpeedwayEXPO
Série ACT Castrol Champion beats open-wheel racers Lia, Hearn, Seitz, Perley for award
WEST SPRINGFIELD, MA – American-Canadian Tour (ACT) stock car driver Patrick Laperle of St-Denis, QC was
named the “Best Northeast Touring Racer” at the second annual SpeedwayEXPO trade show, Sunday, March 2, at the
Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield, MA. Laperle recovered from a life threatening blood infection last
year to win a pair of events and the Série ACT Castrol championship. He also won twice on the ACT Late Model
Tour: the Summer Sizzler 200 at Ontario’s Kawartha Speedway and the 44th Annual Chittenden Milk Bowl at Vermont’s
Thunder Road.
In just its second year, SpeedwayEXPO has established itself as the northeast’s premier annual stock car
racing trade show and exposition. Hosted by the award-winning staff at Dick Berggren’s Speedway Illustrated
magazine, SpeedwayEXPO’s “Speedy Awards” are designed to honor grassroots race teams, tracks, organizers, fans,
and supporters. Race fans submit nominations and votes for 11 Speedy Award categories, with the winners
determined by a combination of fan votes and Speedway Illustrated staff collaboration.
Laperle won the Best Northeast Touring Racer award over some of the continent’s finest short track racers,
including NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Champion and current Craftsman Truck Series driver Donny Lia of Jericho, NY;
four-time Northeast Midget Association (NEMA) Champion Ben Seitz of Pocasset, MA; six-time Mr. DIRTcar Champion
Brett Hearn of Kinnelon, NJ; and International Supermodified Association (ISMA) Champion Chris Perley of Rowley,
MA, the award’s inaugural winner.
“What an honor it is to win that award,” said a shocked Laperle. “I found out that I had been nominated a
while ago, and when I saw who I was up against, I sort of forgot about it because I didn’t think I would have a
chance to win. It means a lot to me to be thought of that highly as a race car driver.”
“Patrick deserved to win the Best Northeast Touring Racer award,” said Speedway Illustrated Editor Karl
Fredrickson. “He and his family team are hard workers, good racers, and fun people to be around. Speedway
Illustrated would like to congratulate Patrick Laperle on his success.”
The Série ACT Castrol begins its fourth season at Autodrome St-Eustache near Montréal on Sunday, May 18.
The ACT Late Model Tour season opens one month earlier at New Hampshire’s Lee USA Speedway on Sunday, April 20.
For more information, call (802) 244-6963 or visit www.acttour.com or www.laserieactcastrol.com.
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