Shaw Claims First ACT Victory in Series Return to Lee USA Speedway
American Canadian Tour
Lee, NH — Center Conway, NH’s D.J. Shaw took home his first career American-Canadian Tour (ACT) victory on Sunday, May 16 following a hard-fought Lee USA 150 at New Hampshire’s Lee USA Speedway. The multi-time Pro All Stars Series (PASS) champion held off New Sharon, ME’s “Thrillin’” Dillon Moltz for the runner-up spot on the track before being named the winner a little more than an hour later.
Shaw inherited the win after Wayne Helliwell Jr. was disqualified in post-race technical inspection for a chassis infraction. It bookended a day where reigning ACT champion Jimmy Hebert crashed hard in the final ACT practice session and was unable to even take the green flag as a result.
GRANITE STATE PRO STOCK SERIES RETURNS TO STAR SPEEDWAY THIS SATURDAY
By Souza Media/Kyle Souza
WALPOLE, N.H. — Granite State Pro Stock Series race teams are heading to Star Speedway in Epping, New Hampshire, for the third race of the season on Saturday, May 8. Coming off successful events at Stafford Motor Speedway and Monadnock Speedway — won by Joey Pole and Angelo Belsito — the series hits the New Hampshire oval for the Hedges Excavating 100 for the first of two visits in 2021. The second visit will come on Friday, September 17, as part of the annual Star Classic.
If the finish to the Star Classic 100 last year is any indication, the Pro Stock battle should be one to remember. Former series champions Pole and Derek Griffith battled side-by-side for the final 10 laps in the race last September, and Pole is heading back to Star looking to make it two-for-two. Pole didn’t compete at Monadnock, but picked up the win at Stafford on April 24.
PRACTICE NOTES: Massive Field Turns Out for Thunder Road Practice Day
Barre, VT — A huge field of cars filed through the pits for the Thunder Road Car Show and Practice Day on Saturday, May 1. When all was said and done, 119 drivers across 4 divisions took to the track in preparation for the Community Bank N.A. 150 on FloRacing this Sunday, May 2. The speeds were as big as the fields with racers storming out of the gates after a long, cold Vermont winter.
The American-Canadian Tour (ACT) and Maplewood/Irving Oil Late Models saw 32 drivers on-hand. For many, it was their first session on the new Hoosier Racing tire. Whether it was the tire, the track conditions, or the eagerness to go racing again, the Late Models set a blistering pace. Times were noticeably quicker than last year with several drivers setting marks in the sub-12.3 second bracket.
ACT & Thunder Road Honor Best of 2020 at Banquet of Champions
American Canadian Tour
Barre, VT — The American-Canadian Tour (ACT) and Thunder Road Speedbowl honored the top performers of their 2020 seasons at the Banquet of Champions on Saturday, May 1. Drivers, crews, officials, and special guests gathered at Thunder Road prior to the track’s season-opener for a night of celebration before throwing the green flag of 2021.
Williamstown, VT’s Jimmy Hebert was recognized as the 2020 ACT Champion. In his ninth season with the ACT Late Model Tour, the Hebert Excavation team had 2 wins and 7 podium finishes in 9 point-counting events.
Despite challenges from both fellow competitors and from navigating the COVID-19 pandemic, Hebert and team were able to put everything together for their first ACT title. In his acceptance speech, Hebert credited the series for getting a season in despite the challenges and for taking care of its competitors, which helped sway his decision to defend the title in 2021.
