STE-CROIX, QC – Donald Theetge of Boischatel, QC made good on a prediction that he would win the Challenge ACT 100 at Circuit Ste-Croix (Ste-Croix, QC) on Saturday night, the fourth round of the American-Canadian Tour (ACT) stock car series. Theetge, who lives just minutes from the fast 5\/8-mile oval located on the banks of the St. Lawrence River, scored a popular victory after passing leader and perennial ACT Late Model Tour Champion Jean-Paul Cyr of Milton, VT with just 14 laps remaining.<\/p>\n
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“Our plan was to win the race,” said an elated Theetge. “I have a very good car and a great team. Karl
Allard gave me a strong challenge, but once I pulled away from him I focused on Jean-Paul. When my crew chief told me there were 20 laps left, it was time to move. I could tell (Cyr) was loose coming out of the corners, but he did a good job protecting the bottom lane. He’s a very good driver, and he’s very tough to beat. My next goal is to beat him on the other side of the border.”<\/p>\n
Theetge started fifth in the 28-car field, and held off a determined challenge by Allard for over 60 laps before setting to work on Cyr and the race lead. Theetge dogged Cyr’s every move as the laps wound down, making several attempts to pass in both the high and low grooves. Theetge caught a break as Cyr negotiated lapped traffic on lap 85, and pulled even with him in the outside lane for the top spot. He assumed control one lap later, then held off last-effort charges by Cyr and Brent Dragon to take the victory, the second of his ACT Late Model Tour career. He also won at Circuit Ste-Croix last year.<\/p>\n
Dragon, of Milton, VT, ran in fourth position for most of the Challenge ACT 100, but was able to poke ahead of Allard for third place as Theetge took the lead from Cyr. With brake rotors glowing red-hot from heavy use in the corners, Dragon was able to drive past Cyr on the outside with 10 laps remaining and take over the runner-up position. Dragon made two attempts to pass Theetge during the final laps, but had to settle for his second-consecutive runner-up finish in ACT Late Model Tour competition. He was the runner-up at ACT’s last event at Airborne Speedway in Plattsburgh, NY three weeks ago.<\/p>\n
Cyr also battled overheated brakes, but was able to finish third for his fourth-straight podium finish to start the 2007 racing season. Brian Hoar of Willison, VT ran quietly among the leaders during the entire event before finishing in fourth place. Ryan Nolin of Georgia, VT backed up his Airborne Speedway victory with a fifth-place finish after passing Allard with four laps left. Allard came home in sixth place, with Scott Payea, Joey Polewarczyk, Jr., Randy Potter, and Patrick Laperle completing the unofficial top-ten finishers in order.<\/p>\n