Double Points on the Line, Autographs on Tap at Thunder Road Thursday

For Immediate Release                                        TR-071608-1

    BARRE, VT Stock car drivers at Barres Thunder Road will feel double the pressure to perform on Thursday
(July 17) with championship points doubled for the Times Argus Mid-Season Championship event, beginning at
6:30pm.  Point values will be doubled for all preliminary and main events in all four divisions, including the
Feature races.  A Feature victory, traditionally worth 75 points, is now 150 for the Times Argus Mid-Season
Championship.
    The Mid-Season Championship is a make-it-or-break-it race for just about anyone, says Late Model point
leader Eric Williams of Hyde Park, pointing out the importance of doing well with double points on the
line.  Every race is important for the overall championship, but this is the one you really hope you dont have
anything weird happen or catch a bad break or crash.  Its big for everyone.
    Williams has had his hands full of former King of the Road Track Champion Cris Michaud of Northfield
this season.  In six events, the two drivers have finished within four positions of each other in all but one
race.  Williams three runner-up finishes and success in the bonus-point semi-feature races have given him a
slight 1oint edge (393-375) over Michaud, a two-time winner this year.  Multi-time champion Phil Scott of
Montpelier sits third at 366 points, closely followed by Dave Pembroke of Middlesex (364) and Granitevilles John
Donahue (358).
    The NAPA Tiger Sportsman division sees Cambridge driver Craig Bushey and Middlesexs Pete Ainsworth in a
virtual deadlock for the point lead, separated by just four markers (442-438).  Craftsburys Joel Hodgdon (420
points), Tom Therrien of Hinesburg (409), and Barres Scott Coburn (403) complete the top five championship
leaders in order.
    Hometown veteran racer Lloyd Blakely leads the Allen Lumber Street Stock division over Plainfield
youngster Jason Corliss by just 17 points (463-446).  Close behind are David Allen of North Troy (435 points),
Mike Martin of Craftsbury Common (397), and Jerichos Shawn Powell and Gary Mullen of Tunbridge, who are tied in
fifth place at 396 points.
    The Power Shift Online Junkyard Warrior division is seemingly chasing Wolcott driver Jamie Davis in 2008,
as Davis has finished no worse than eighth in nine starts this season.  The divisions lone repeat winner has a 43-
point advantage over Travis Hull of Graniteville (599-556).  Berlins Scott Weston ranks third at 529 points over
Mike Gay of South Burlington (526) and Donny Yates of North Montpelier (502).
    The annual Thunder Road Driver Autograph Session will be held during intermission at the Times Argus Mid-
Season Championships, when all drivers from all four divisions gather along the frontstretch fence to greet race
fans.  General admission is $9.50 for adults, $3 for children (6-12), and just $20 for a family of any two adults
and two kids.  Gates open at 5:00pm on Thursday, July 17, racing begins at 6:30pm.  For more information, call
(802) 244-6963 or visit www.thunderroadspeedbowl.com.
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Contact: Justin St. Louis                                    Phone: (802) 244-
6963
Email: media@acttour.com                                Fax: (802) 244-1616