Tag Archives: Nick Sweet

Mike Rowe and Joey Pole, Jr. win PASS/ACT twin races at Oxford Plains

64-year old Mike Rowe of Turner, ME ended up the winner in the PASS Super Late Model portion of thePASS/ACT doubleheader at the Oxford Plains Speedway in Maine! (Credit: PASS/Oxford Plains photo.)

64-year old Mike Rowe of Turner, ME (center lower)  ended up the winner in the PASS Super Late Model portion of the PASS/ACT doubleheader at the Oxford Plains Speedway in Maine! (Credit: PASS/Oxford Plains photo.)

Mike Rowe of Turner, Maine raced to his 151st Oxford Plains Speedway main event win, earning a trip to victory lane in his maiden voyage aboard Peter Petit’s lucky number 7 in AIM Recycling Pro All Stars Series Super Late Model competition at Oxford Plains Speedway on Sunday afternoon, while Joey ‘Pole’ Polewarczyk prevailed in the co-headlining ACT Late Model Tour 150-lapper.

Rowe, a 64-year-old veteran, multi-time track champion and all-around legend at the speedway where he was a track titlist a full four decades ago, waged a race-long battle with reigning series champion DJ Shaw of Conway, New Hampshire for supremacy in a thrilling 150-lapper for the ultra-quick AIM Super Late Models. Continue reading

Three 150 lap events are set for Oxford Plains, Lee USA and Thunder Road

Wayne Helliwell, Jr. is one  driver, among  others, is favored to win in three 150 lap ACT races at Lee, Oxford and Thunder Road.  (Credit: ACT photo.)

Wayne Helliwell, Jr. is one driver, among others, is favored to win in three 150 lap ACT races at Lee, Oxford and Thunder Road. (Credit: ACT Tour photo.)

The American-Canadian Tour (ACT) will compete in three 150-lap events on three completely different tracks in all three northern New England states to open the 2015 season. The New Hampshire Governor’s Cup 150, now re-set due to snow on April 28, is the usual traditional opening event for ACT teams held yearly at Lee USA Speedway in Lee, NH. Teams will now start off the 2015 season at Oxford Plains Speedway (OPS) in Oxford, ME on April 18, then Lee USA followed  by their annual visit to Thunder Road International Speedbowl in Barre, VT on May 3.

Continue reading

Thunder Road’s Milk Bowl favors weekly racers

Even though he's an experienced and winning driver at Thunder Road, Nick Sweet knows well that the Milk Bowl is no easy race to win. (Credit: 5 Star bodies picture)

Even though he’s an experienced and winning driver at Thunder Road, Nick Sweet knows well that the Milk Bowl is no easy race to win. (Credit: 5 Star bodies picture)

 

 

 

By Lou Modestino

The 2014 People’s United Bank Milk Bowl has the makings of a battle between the Thunder Road (TR) regular teams and the American Canadian Tour (ACT) teams. The depth of the TR teams seems to give an edge to the Thunder Road regulars. Champions like Joey Polewarczyk, Jr. (Pole), Hudson, NH, Alex Labbe from Quebec City and Patrick Laperle, Montreal, QC, will join touring regulars Jimmy Hebert, Bobby Therrien and Jeff White, but it’s the regular Thunder Road weekly teams that look to make 2014 their year to kiss the cow.

“I don’t know, Thunder Road is like coming home and putting your slippers on after a hard day’s work,” said two-time Champion Nick Sweet from Barre. “I just think lots of guys worry more about the widow maker, the high banks, and the narrow front stretch than they do about those of us that race weekly at the ‘Road. I know I have my hands full racing Derrick (O’Donnell, Champion in 2013 and 2014), Trampas Demers, Cody Blake, Brooks Clark, Shawn Fleury, David Pembroke and Phil Scott…geez the list goes on and on with who can win 50 lappers at Thunder Road. I just know it is going to be a lot of fun, and it is a great way to end the race season,” concluded Sweet.

Teams from around New England and Canada will compete for the $10,000 dollars to win. Over 40 of the best Late Model drivers in the Northeast will attempt to qualify through time trials, 50 lap qualifiers, last chance races, and then still have to race three more 50-lap features before one driver will get the Thunder Road tradition of kissing the cow in victory lane. No wonder the 52 year-old race is called the “toughest short track race in America”.

“I guess if the Milk Bowl were three 100 lappers or 150 lappers, the regular Tour guys probably have some edge, but I know how hard it is to beat the TR regular weekly teams” said Derrick O’Donnell. “I am really proud to be a Thunder Road defending Champion and welcome the competition from veteran ACT teams. My goal is to win the Milk Bowl. It will not only be a great personal accomplishment, but in some strange way it will feel good to keep the Milk Bowl ‘in house’,” said the two-time Thunder Road Champion O’Donnell.

Many Thunder Road fans may pick Sweet, the first time winner and now defending Milk Bowl winner, to repeat. Others have seen O’Donnell surge to win his second in a row “King of the Road” title. Many of the famous TR bank dwellers, who generally like the underdogs, might favor a young new star like Jason Corliss or Chip Grenier. Older Thunder Road fans will remember when former champions Phil Scott and Dave Pembroke each won two Milk Bowls. Canadians will be rooting for Patrick Laperle to grab his fourth Milk Bowl, or perhaps the new Champion of the ACT Série Quebec, Alex Labbe, to bring the milk can trophy back to Quebec.

Whatever the outcome, the People’s United Bank Milk Bowl is certainly a one of a kind event in all of racing. For half a century racers have been chasing the dream of being the best there is on a fall day in Vermont. This Sunday, October 12, 2014 the dream comes true for the 52nd time.

Camping will open for fans on Friday, October 10 at 9am and campers must be off the grounds by noon on Monday, October 13.

Thunder Road’s Milk Bowl is full of tradition and is set for October 4-5

 

 

 

Which ACT Tour driver will have the pleasure of kissing the cow at Thunder Road's Milk Bowl? (Credit: Vermont Dairy Assoc.)

Which  of the 30 ACT Tour drivers will have the pleasure of kissing the cow at Thunder Road’s Milk Bowl? (Credit: Vermont Dairy Assoc.)

By Lou Modestino

The People’s United Bank Milk Bowl is full of ceremony, tradition, and exceptional stock car racing. The fall season in Vermont is the perfect backdrop for one of America’s greatest closing short track events of the race season. Continue reading

62-year old Ron Proctor goes wire-to-wire at Devil’s Bowl Speedway

Ron Proctor (center) proves that a senior citizen can still win Modified races. (Credit: New England Racing photo)

Ron Proctor (center) proved that a senior citizen can still win Modified races. (Credit: New England Racing photo)

By Lou Modestino

Devil’s Bowl Speedway crowned its 2014 NASCAR Whelen All-American Series champions during a busy and picturesque Sunday afternoon at the Mekkelsen RV Vermont 200 Championship Weekend. Todd Stone and Robert Gordon became two-time champions on the asphalt, while Jamie Fisher and Chuck Bradford each celebrated their first titles. Continue reading

New Hampshire’s Derrick O’Donnell wins second straight King of the Road at Thunder Road

North Haverhill, New Hampshire's Derrick O'Donnell won the the King of the Hill for the second time at Thunder Road International Speedway  (Credit: ACT Tour photo)

North Haverhill, New Hampshire’s Derrick O’Donnell won the the King of the Hill for the second time at Thunder Road International Speedway (Credit: ACT Tour photo)

 

 

By Lou Modestino

Derrick O’Donnell of North Haverhill, NH claimed his second straight Thunder Late Model “King of the Road” title at the conclusion of the 36th annual Coca-Cola Labor Day Classic 200 at Thunder Road on Monday, September 1. Second place point man Nick Sweet of Barre did all he could to snatch the title away from O’Donnell by claiming his second career Labor Day Classic victory, but O’Donnell’s seventh consecutive podium finish in second was enough to earn him the title. Continue reading

Hometown driver Nick Sweet will be defending his King of the Road crown at T-Road over the Labor Day weekend

 

 

Defending champion Nick Sweet #88 will be going at it with a bunch of other Thunder Road drivers in the Labor Day Classic 200 at the Quarry Hill track in Barre, VT.  (Credit: Leif Tillotson photo)

Defending champion Nick Sweet #88 will be going at it with a bunch of other Thunder Road drivers in the Labor Day Classic 200 at the Quarry Hill track in Barre, VT. (Credit: Leif Tillotson photo)

By Lou Modestino

The largest purse of the four-race Vermont State Championship is up for grabs at the 36th annual Coca-Cola Labor Day Classic at Thunder Road in Barre, Vermont on Sunday, August 31. The 2014 Thunder Road Championship will also be decided after one of the closest and most competitive seasons of racing at Thunder Road in recent memory. Continue reading

Nick Sweet takes ACT Tour 150 race at Beech Ridge Motor Speedway

Nick Sweet #88 took the ACT Tour race at Beech Ridge Motor Speedway.  (Credit: ACT Tour photo.)

Nick Sweet #88 took the ACT Tour race at Beech Ridge Motor Speedway. (Credit: ACT Tour photo.)

 

By Lou Modestino

Barre’s Nick Sweet became the 7th different American Canadian Tour winner in the 7th event of the 2014 season when the tour visited Beech Ridge Motor Speedway in Scarborough, ME on Saturday, August 9. Sweet led for the majority of the event, but not without fierce contention and multiple lead changes with runner-up finisher Ben Ashline. Continue reading

Quebec’s Patrick Laperle wins the ACT International at Airborne Speedway in Plattsburgh, NY

Quebec's Patrick Leperle cleaned up and took home the lion's share of the International 300 ACT Tour race at the Airborne Speedway in Plattsburgh, NY.  (Credit: :ACT Tour photo)

Quebec’s Patrick Leperle cleaned up and took home the lion’s share of the International 300 ACT Tour race at the Airborne Speedway in Plattsburgh, NY. (Credit: :ACT Tour photo)

 

 

By Lou Modestino

Patrick Laperle of St-Denis, Quebec has won nearly every big event the American Canadian Tour sanctions, but none match his $26,800 ACT International win at Airborne Speedway in Plattsburgh, New York on Saturday, July 20. The former ACT and Serie ACT Champion battled by Nick Sweet over the final 20 laps of the third segment to claim the segment and overall win with finishes of 2nd, 3rd, 1st for a combined winning score of 6.

Barre’s Nick Sweet started sixth in the first 50 lap segment and took home the win followed closely by Laperle and Joey Polewarczyk, Jr. The trio then flew through the field in the 75 lap second segment using all three lanes around the ½-mile speedway. Polewarczyk claimed second followed by Laperle in third and Sweet in fourth setting up a three way tie with five combined points each for the trio heading into the final segment.

When the green flag flew on the third and final segment of 75 laps Sweet and Laperle began their march to the front, while Polewarczyk was held up in the heavy traffic. Polewarczyk suffered minor front end damage during the early stages of the event allowing Sweet and Laperle to duke it out.

Laperle followed Sweet through the field again taking advantage of Airborne’s three lanes. Sweet got to the point on lap 46, while Laperle moved into second following a lap 49 restart. Laperle hung tight to his bumper until Sweet slid up the track, giving Laperle the hole he needed. The pair remained side-by-side swapping the lead several times over the final 20 laps, while Sweet managed to lead at the start/finish line nearly every time in the outside lane. With just under five laps to go, Sweet slipped back giving Laperle the lead and the win.

The Quebecer rode to the $26,800 win over the final laps. Sweet and Polewarczyk completed the top three overall, while Brian Hoar used a second segment win and a third segment third to claim fourth. Three more Quebec drivers in Jean-François Déry, Alex Labbe and Jonathan Bouvrette took the fourth through seventh positions. Ben Lynch, rookie Brandon Atkins and Emily Packard completed the overall top ten.

On top of the $25,000 purse check, Laperle adds another $1,000 for the Bond ACT Invitational bonus and a qualifying spot in the event at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon, NH on Saturday, September 20. He also pocketed the $500 Ford Blue Oval bonus and $300 in lap money to bring his total unofficially to $26,800.

The three segment 200 total lap event was completed in just over an hour and a half with nine total cautions.

The ACT U.S. Tour heads next to Beech Ridge Motor Speedway in Scarborough, ME on Saturday, August 9 for their 7th point counting event of the season. The Quebec-based Serie ACT has their 6th point counting event at Circuit Riverside Speedway in St-Croix, QC on Saturday, August 2.

ACT International 300 Unofficial Results
American Canadian Tour Late Models
Airborne Speedway – Plattsburgh, NY
Sunday, July 20, 2014
Pos. Driver, Hometown, Seg. 1, Seg. 2, Seg. 3, TOTAL
1. Patrick Laperle, St-Denis, QC, 2, 3, 1, 6

2. Nick Sweet, Barre, VT, 1, 4, 2, 7

3. Joey Polewarczyk Jr., Hudson, NH, 3, 2, 6, 11

4. Brian Hoar, Williston, VT, 13, 1, 3, 17

5. Jean-Francois Dery, Quebec, QC, 4, 12, 5, 21

6. Alex Labbe, St-Albert, QC, 5, 6, 10, 21

7. Jonathan Bouvrette, Blainville, QC, 11, 7, 4, 22

8. Ben Lynch, Huntersville, NC, 6, 13, 7, 26

9. #Brandon Atkins, AuSable Forks, NY, 7, 10, 12, 29

10. Emily Packard, E. Montpelier, VT, 12, 11, 8, 31

11. Jeff White, Winthrop, ME, 9, 5, 23, 37

12. Todd Davis, Claremont, NH, 10, 15, 14, 39

13. Eddie MacDonald, Rowley, MA, 8, 9, 24, 41

14. Eric Chase, Milton, VT, 14, 18, 11, 43

15. Rowland Robinson Jr., Steuben, ME, 17, 19, 9, 45

16. Jimmy Hebert, Williamstown, VT, 15, 14, 16, 45

17. #Lance Allen, Barre, VT, 16, 17, 13, 46

18. Bobby Therrien, Hinesburg, VT, 23, 8, 17, 48

19. Jean-Paul Cyr, Milton, VT, 19, 16, 15, 50

20. Jason Corliss, Barre, VT, 20, 20, 21, 61

21. #Matt Anderson, Franklin, NH, 22, 22, 20, 64

22. Boomer Morris, Barre, VT, 18, 21, 25, 64

23. Rejean Plante, St-Hyacinthe, QC, 25, 23, 19, 67

24. #Mike Ziter, Williamstown, VT, 28, 24, 18, 70

25. Patrick Emerling, Orchard Park, NY, 24, 25, 22, 71

26. #John Falconi, Oakham, MA, 21, 26, 25, 72

27. Kyle Welch, Newport, NH, 26, 27, 25, 78

28. Nick Lagoy, Plattsburgh, NY, 27, 27, 25, 79
Lap Leaders:

Segment #1 -Bobby Therrien, 1-2; Brian Hoar, 3-19; Nick Sweet, 20-22; Hoar, 23; Sweet, 24-50; Segment #2 – Bobby Therrien, 1-40; Brian Hoar, 41-50;

Segment #3 – Rowland Robinson, Jr., 1-3; Eric Chase, 4-11; Robinson, 12-13; Chase, 14; Robinson, 15-45; Nick Sweet, 46-63; Patrick Laperle, 64; Sweet, 65-70, Laperle 71-75.

Time of Race: 1:32:12 – Segment #1: 31:30; Segment #2: 31:40; Segment #3: 29:02.

Cautions: 9 (Segment #1 – 5: Laps 2, 19, 22, 23, 28) (Segment #2 – 2: Laps 2, 40) (Segment #3 – 2: Laps 39, 49)

ACT Champions Jean-Paul Cyr and Brian Hoar will renew their rivalry in the International 300 at Airborne Park

Brian Hoar (right) and his team will be facing rival Jean Paul Cyr and other top ACT Tour drivers on Sunday, July 20 in the International 300 at Airborne Speedway Park. (Credit: Devil's Bowl Speedway photo)

Brian Hoar (right) and his team will be facing rival Jean Paul Cyr and other top ACT Tour drivers on Sunday, July 20 in the International 300 at Airborne Speedway Park. (Credit: Devil’s Bowl Speedway photo)

 

 

By Lou Modestino

Eight-time ACT Champion, Brian Hoar from Williston, VT and seven-time Champion Jean-Paul Cyr from Milton, VT will renew their rivalry at the ACT International 300 on Sunday, July 20 at the Airborne Park Speedway in Plattsburgh. Continue reading