New Drivers Look to Shake Things Up
Barre, VT – In 2012 many Thunder Road drivers are making moves to different divisions. Some with little experience, others bearing championships. The drivers below are ones to keep a close eye on in the upcoming season for Rookie of the Year honors.
Bond Auto Tiger Sportsman
Waterbury Center’s Jason Woodard will pilot the familiar #68 Bond Auto Tiger Sportsman championship car of Derrick O’Donnell from 2011. Woodard, who was the final champion of the Junkyard Warriors with nine wins in 2011, will face a steep learning curve having opted to race in the Tigers as opposed to the Allen Lumber Street Stocks. With championship experience and a great car underneath him, he could be a wildcard in 2012.
Greg Adams, Jr. of Hardwick, the 2011 Champion of the Allen Lumber Street Stocks, also moves to the Bond Auto Tiger Sportsman division. With five seasons of experience in the Street Stocks, Adams hopes for a more seamless transition to the Tigers. Adams knows what it takes to win a close points race after an electrifying battle with runner-up Nick Pilotte of Jefferson, NH for the 2011 Street Stock Championship that came down to a last lap pass. He is one to watch for Rookie of the Year in 2012.
Adams and Woodard will face competition from Georgia, VT native Josh Payea and Washington, VT’s Chris Roberts.
Allen Lumber Street Stocks
After a year hiatus, the third-place point finisher in the Junkyard Warriors in 2010, Kevin Dodge of Barre, returns to racing action. Moving up to the Street Stocks, Dodge will rely on the same consistency that brought him success in the Warrior division, but this time against the higher numbers of cars and more experienced drivers of the Street Stock division. He has the advantage of driving a similar car in 2012 though, which will be to his advantage as he seeks Rookie honors.
Another rookie campaigner for the Street Stocks is Williamstown’s Brock Parrott, who finished second last year in the championship race in the Junkyard Warrior division. With four career wins under his belt, Parrot looks to make the jump with ease to the Street Stocks and challenge for the Rookie of the Year title. Fellow Junkyard Warrior racers Tommy Elwood, Justin Town, Paul Grant, Kevin Wheatley and Daniel Brassard, as well as invaders Dean Switser, Jr., and Emily Packard will all compete for Allen Lumber Street Stock Rookie of the Year honors.
The Thunder Road season continues at the Mekkelsen RV Memorial Day Classic on Sunday May 27. Gates open at 10am. Post time is set for 1:30 pm. Admission is: Adult $15.00, $3 Children 6-12, Children under 6 are free.
For additional info visit our website at www.thunderroadspeedbowl.com, or contact us at media@acttour.com. You can also call the Thunder Road office at 1 (802) 244-6963