Barre, VT – NASCAR Sprint Cup point leader Tony Stewart told GWC blogger Travis Barrett at Dover, Delaware last week that he is excited about his upcoming June 25th visit to Thunder Road. Stewart will compete in the CARQUEST Governor’s Cup 150 with 30 of the best Late Model teams of the American Canadian and Thunder Road regulars.
Stewart, coming off his first NASCAR Sprint Cup victory as a car owner at Pocono Raceway last Sunday, is now perhaps the premiere racing star of the NASCAR Cup circuit. Stewart transcends ‘old school’ drivers like Dale Earnhardt, Rusty Wallace and Darrell Waltrip and the new breed drivers like Carl Edwards, the Busch brothers and Jimmy Johnson. Stewart has raced in multiple disciplines of racecars, including Indy open wheel cars, sprint cars, and all forms of stock cars. He has made it clear to track owners that he is coming to Thunder Road to race.
The appearance by Stewart at Thunder Road will highlight the track’s 50th Anniversary season. Thunder Road would appear to fit Tony Stewart’s passionate love for racing like a glove. Tough and challenging, lots of history, heavy-duty competition, along with avid and knowledgeable race fans —- Tony Stewart is expected to have a lot of fun at the CARQUEST Governor’s Cup 150. Thunder Road is selling a 50th Anniversary souvenir ticket to mark the special occasion. Stewart will attempt to be the first non-Vermont driver to take the Cup out of the home state. With the appearance of Tony Stewart competing in the Governor’s Cup, Thunder Road has expanded its parking lot to nearly double the size of the main lot. In anticipation of this historic night of racing, Thunder Road has added another 500 seats to the already largest spectator venue in the state of Vermont. The local divisions will share the spotlight at the Governor’s Cup and will run extended lap features only on race night.
Stewart will be driving an American Canadian Tour (ACT) Late Model car prepared by Joey Pole Racing (JPR) from Hudson, New Hampshire. Stewart will drive the same car that Joey Polewarczyk, Jr. drove to the pole position in the Chittenden Milk Bowl in 2008. “We have spent a lot of time since March getting this car as near perfect as we can for Tony Stewart. He is definitely our kind of racer, and I think he will be pleased with the car. Actually, our team is as excited about watching him race at Thunder Road as we are at getting the car set up for him. It will be a real experience for Joey to be able to tell NASCAR Cup Champion Tony Stewart how to get around Thunder Road!! We can’t wait to meet him and share a few laughs”, said Joe ‘Pole’, Sr.
The 50th Anniversary CARQUEST Governor’s Cup 150 will post $3,000 to win and the best of Thunder Road and ACT teams will be looking to lock up a qualified spot in the ACT INVITATIONAL to be held on September 19 at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway. The Governor’s Cup winner will join all ACT Tour winners, ACT Castrol Series winners, and other invited teams to participate in the inaugural 50-mile ACT Invitational at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway on Saturday, September 19 during the NASCAR Chase weekend. This will be the first time local Late Model teams will have a chance to race at the only Super Speedway in New England. “If Tony wins the Governor’s Cup, the JPR car will be waiting for him at NHMS if he wants to have some Saturday fun, said Joe Pole, “Now that would be something to see if he decides he wants to show us around the ‘magic mile.”
Gates will open at Thunder Road on June 25th at 4 PM; post time is scheduled for 6 PM. The CARQUEST Governor’s Cup 150 is slated to begin at 8PM. Advanced tickets for the Governor’s Cup are now on sale at only $17 for Adults and day of race tickets will be sold at $20. Children’s (6-12) tickets are $5, under 6 are admitted free. Thunder Road has announced that it will hold a minimum of 2,000 tickets for race day fans.
Thunder Road opens its 50th season of Thursday night racing this coming Thursday night, June 11th, with the Ferguson Waterworks trophy dashes. Gates open at 5 PM, post time is 6:30. Admission is only $9.50 for Adults, $3.00 for kids and a family ticket for two adults and two kids is only $20 dollars for the 16-event show at the ‘Nation’s Site of Excitement’.
For additional information contact the ACT office at 802.244.6963 or media@acttour.com