Nick Sweet celebrates his wins in victory lane at the 18th Annual Merchants Bank 150 – (Alan Ward photo)
Waterbury, VT – Nick Sweet from Barre, VT has two “King of the Road” titles at Thunder Road Int’l Speedbowl. The hometown hero has also won 19 races, which ties him with newly appointed Thunder Road Race Director Cris Michaud. Michaud had three track championship titles during his career in the highly competitive Late Model division.
“There is not much question that Nick is as good as there is at Thunder Road. I am sure he will win some more titles, and certainly a lot more major races. Doing what he did last Sunday is really unusual at T-Road. He won the Merchant’s Bank 150 with a ‘perfect’ score, winning his heat, leading a lap, leading the most laps, and winning the race. He received every point available at an ACT touring event. The Malone Property team jumped from 10th place to 2nd in the standings after three races,” said Michaud.
He goes into the Airborne Spring Green just twelve (12) points out of the American Canadian Tour point lead held by Bobby Therrien of Hinesburg, VT. After three races, the top teams span only a total of 59 points from first to tenth.
“Well, Nick has come through our Thunder Road system from the 4-cylinder class, to the Flying Tigers, and is putting numbers up that will put him in some very classy company in the history of Thunder Road. We are talking joining the Ingerson Brothers, Hanaford, Gammell, Marvin, Dion, Crouch, Beede—some of the royalty of Thunder Road with the records he is establishing. We had four granite memorials put around the track during our 50th anniversary a few years ago. Nick Sweet is on every stone. He has won every major event, some multiple times. Only ACT official Chuck Beede from neighboring Williamstown has won more Thunder Road Championships, Beede has four titles, Nick will certainly take a run at that record over the next few years,” said Tom Curley, former promoter and present co-owner of Thunder Road.
Heading into the Spring Green at Airborne Park Speedway this weekend, Sweet carries a lot of momentum. Not only did he win the Merchants Bank 150 at Thunder Road this past Sunday, but he won the International at Airborne last year. His race with Alex Labbe, Patrick Laperle, and Wayne Helliwell was a classic. “It is always fun to race against the best, and certainly with Alex, Patrick and Wayne there is going to be plenty of competition. But this year you have to throw Bobby (Therrien), Scott Payea, Eddie MacDonald and a whole lot more into the competitive mix. I am really looking forward to Saturday. I hope our luck continues,” said Sweet.
The Nick Sweet express has everyone on board regardless of which track he visits. He has been strong on the flat tracks like Oxford Plains Speedway and Beech Ridge in Maine, the mile at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, and ½ miles like Airborne.
The 42nd annual Spring Green 116 will post at 5:00pm this Saturday at Airborne. Admission is just $15 for adults, $5 for children 6-12 and a family ticket (2 adults/ 2 kids) is $30.
For additional information contact the ACT office at 802.244.6963, media@acttour.com, or visit www.acttour.com