For Immediate Release                                        TR 052510-34

        Waterbury, VT Mekkelsen RV will present the 48^th annual Memorial Day Classic at Thunder Road Speedbowl in Barre, VT this Sunday, May 30. For the third year the Modified Racing Series (MRS), presented by Bob Valenti AutoMall, will join the American Canadian Tour (ACT) Thunder Road Late Models in the twin bill. Each division will race 100 lap features.

The Memorial Day tradition has been going on at the high-banked oval for nearly half a century. Beginning in 1961, the list of winners is a great tribute to some of the men who helped build stock car racing in the northeast. That tradition continues this Memorial weekend.

A favorite to repeat his win from last seasons Memorial Day Classic is David Pembroke from Middlesex, Vermont. I guess we have some momentum after our win at Devils Bowl last weekend, but this Memorial Day race is really a tough one to win. There are so many capable teams that run in championship form at Thunder Road, and they all want to be on that granite monument behind the tower, said two-time winner Pembroke.

The modern day defending champions of the Memorial Day Classic tells much of the story. Entered in this years Late Model half of the Classic along with Pembroke include: Phil Scott, Cris Michaud, Joey Laquerre, Joey Becker, Brent Dragon and 2008 winner John Donahue. Over 30 Late Model teams will be joined by Thunder Road Bond Auto Sportsmen and Allen Lumber Street Stocks and Warriors.

For the third straight year, the popular Modified Racing Series will return to make up the second half of the doubleheader. Returning to the high banks at Thunder Road are both past winners, three-time Series Champion Kirk Alexander from Swanzey, NH, and young modified star Stephen Masse of Bellingham, MA. Masse will try and defend his first-ever win on the series, which took place at last years Thunder Road 100 lap event.

The MRS will appear at a dozen different tracks in 2010, and veterans like Dwight Jarvis from Ascutney, VT, Les Hinckly from Windsor Locks, CT, and Jack Bateman from Lebanon, NH have all attended every event at Thunder Road. The young crop of Modified teams is also impressive, with rookie contender Joey Jarvis, son of veteran Peter Jarvis from Ascutney, VT leading the young delegation charge to the Nations Site of Excitement.

Post time for the Mekkelsen Memorial Day Double Header is 1:30 this Sunday. Gates will open at 8:00 in the pits and 10:00 oclock for general admission. Admission for the Classic twin 100s is only $18. A family pass will be offered with two kids being admitted free with two adult tickets.  

For additional information contact the ACT office at 802.244.6963, www.acttour.com, or media@acttour.com.

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