THUNDER ROAD CELEBRATES FINAL THURSDAY NIGHT RACE   

WITH NASCAR CUP DRIVER DAVID RAGAN

For Immediate Release -                                      ACT 082009-30

        Waterbury, VT NASCAR Sprint Cup rising star David Ragan, driver of the UPS car for Rousch-Fenway, will race at Barre, Vermonts Thunder Road in the Vermont State Employees Credit Union (VSECU) 100-lap final Thursday summer event on August 27^th.

Ragan, who represents the new generation of racers, joins NASCAR veterans Bobby Allison, Richard Petty and current point leader Tony Stewart who have made appearances during the 2009 season to help celebrate Thunder Roads 50^th Anniversary. Ragan will drive a Pete Duto-prepared, Phil Scott Ford ACT race car, and will compete in the VSECU 100-lap event. Ragan plans to arrive early to get some seat time on the tricky high banks of Thunder Road.

Unadilla, Georgias Ragan is an accomplished short track racer. I have heard so much about Thunder Road that I really jumped at the opportunity to race there this summer. I love the short tracks, and from what I hear, the atmosphere at Thunder Road is fantastic. I hope I get it figured out by the end of the 100 laps,said Ragan.

Ragan is a supporter of the Shriners organization. He donates all the proceeds from the sale of his die cast Shriners cars to the Shriners Hospital. They will be on sale at the Thunder Road event.

The King of the Road title will also be settled at the VSECU 100 . Jean-Paul Cyr from Milton, VT, who is chasing his first Thunder Road title and sits in a comfortable first place going into the final event of 2009, has battled former track champions David Pembroke, Phil Scott, and Cris Michaud all season. Cyr, a seven-time American Canadian Tour Champion said, Our goal was to try and win the Thunder Road title. I sure didnt get off to a great start, but Jeff (Laquerre) and the guys have really gotten the car to work well lately. It is some different trying to win races at Thunder Road in 50 laps from what I have been used to on the ACT Tour over the years, but it has been fun and unbelievably competitive.

The final Thursday night of the season will also be celebrated with the largest fireworks in Thunder Road history. In addition, over 100 old timers will help bring the curtain down on the 50^th year of Thursday night racing.

Post time for the VESECU 100 is 6:00 and front gates open at 3:00 for the VESECU 100. Adult tickets are only $12.00 and a family ticket for two adults and two children between 6-12 is only $25.00. Kids under 6 are free.

The American Canadian Tour (ACT) $40,000 Bond Auto Labor Day Classic 200 will take place over the Labor Day weekend, on Sunday, September 6, 2009.

For additional information, contact the Thunder Road office at 802.244.6963 or media@acttour.com

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