BARRE, VT – A major post-race controversy stemming from the disputed finish of last month’s “Media Madness” race at Barre’s Thunder Road will finally be settled on Charter Communications Night, Thursday, July 10 at 6:30pm. Emotions erupted following the checkered flag on Sanel Parts Plus Night, June 19, as Mike McGill, sports reporter for WCAX-TV Channel 3, the CBS affiliate station in Burlington, VT, filed a protest with race control over his third-place finish. To this day, McGill insists that he beat Stowe (VT) Reporter columnist Jesse Roman by a bumper for the runner-up position behind winner Mike Twist of Speed51.com.
“I beat him to the line, no question, and Channel 3 has the video to prove it,” McGill said. “I think I
got a raw deal.” “Mike can whine all he wants, but I got the second-place trophy,” countered Roman.
The rematch race, fueled by persistent trash-talk from both parties, should sufficiently end the
controversy. They will square off in a best-of-three, elimination-style race using Power Shift Online Junkyard Warrior cars. McGill made no bones about his intentions.
“I’m going to beat Roman by half a lap,” he said. “I think this race will prove once and for all who the faster and more capable driver is,” said Roman. “Me.”
Besides the McGill-Roman showdown, there is other business to take care of at Thunder Road. Late Model drivers Eric Williams of Hyde Park and Cris Michaud of Northfield find themselves in a tight battle for the “King of the Road” track championship. Craig Bushey of Cambridge leads the NAPA Tiger Sportsman division, while Barre’s Lloyd Blakely and Wolcott’s Jamie Davis pace the Allen Lumber Street Stock and Power Shift Online Junkyard Warrior divisions, respectively. All four classes will be in action on Thursday.
General admission for Charter Communications Night, Thursday, July 10, is $9.50 for adults, $3 for
children (6-12), or $20 for a family of any two adults and two kids. Gates open at 5:00pm, racing begins at 6:30pm. For more information, call (802) 244-6963 or visit www.thunderroadspeedbowl.com.