Middlesex, VT - Shawn Fleury has little to prove in Thunder Road Int'l Speedbowl's NAPA Tiger Sportsman division.  After winning the intermediate Sportsman division's track championship in 2005 and 2006, Fleury will wheel an American-Canadian Tour (ACT) Late Model in the weekly Thursday night battles in 2007.  Driving for veteran Wilbraham, MA car owner Scott Fearn, Fleury will have multi-time championship winning crew chief Jeff Laquerre of East Montpelier, VT turning the wrenches on his Vermont Army National Guard Chevrolet.
"I'm excited for this year," said Fleury.  The 32 year-old Middlesex, VT driver was preparing to challenge for his third-consecutive Sportsman championship when the telephone rang with Fearn's call.  "I was very surprised when Scott asked me to drive for him, I had never met him before.  I felt very good that I'd made that big of an impression on him."
   After five solid seasons as an upstart Tiger Sportsman racer, Fleury tried his hand in the headline ACT Late Model division in a family-owned car in 1998.  He showed signs of brilliance while behind the wheel of a different Late Model car the following season, and nearly captured an upset victory at mid-summer.  For his efforts, Fleury was nominated to the "Most Improved Driver" ballot at the season's end.  Following 1999, however, a lack of funding kept him sidelined until 2002.  Upon his return to the Sportsman class that season, Fleury earned a pair of wins and continued to set the pace through his back-to-back championship seasons.
       "Shawn has shown both talent and tremendous discipline the last two seasons, having to start deep in the field each week and finishing races up front," said Fearn of his new driver.  "He's patient when he knows he needs to be, and is aggressive when the time is right.  Even though 2007 will be our first year together, I
quote m sure that Shawn can get the job done."
Fearn feels that having Laquerre's services will also benefit the team greatly.  "After winning consecutive championships at Thunder Road, and very nearly a third-straight last year, I couldn
quote t believe that Jeff had no plans for next year.  This is a guy that has won championships with every driver he
quote s ever been with, who leaves that deal?"

     Fleury echoed Fearn's praise for Laquerre.  "Being involved with Jeff Laquerre is a big advantage for any driver, he's going to teach me a lot."

"It should be a nice change of pace for Jeff and his guys to go to the track each week and have the support that Shawn and his family provide," Fearn continued.  "He's the most talented mechanic in New England, and I feel lucky to have him on board."  In addition to his work with Fleury, Laquerre will also maintain a Fearn-owned car to be driven by former Thunder Road champion Tracie Bellerose of Gorham, NH in selected events.

Fleury's 2007 campaign will be supported by the Vermont Army National Guard, Ultramar HomEnergy, and the Barre-Montpelier Times Argus, Central Vermont's leading daily newspaper.  Additional support will be provided by Classic Auto in Montpelier, David Heath Photography, and ESPN Radio.

"I think with the support we have, and the combination of my family team and Jeff's crew, we should have a very good year," Fleury predicted.  "I've never driven equpiment as nice as what Scott is providing me, and I think that after I re-adjust to the more powerful Late Model car, we will be a front-running team.  I would like to win a couple of races, I don't think that that's out of reach."

For more information on Shawn Fleury, contact LC Race Media at (802) 343-6153, or by email at LCRaceMedia@yahoo.com.