Joining ACT's Sportsmen Series Sunday at Thunder Road in the Casella Mother's Day event were the track's Late Model, Allen Lumber Street Stock and PowerShift Warrior divisions. (For Sportsman Series story and information go to www.acttour.com)
Dave Pembroke from Montpelier narrowly edged Jeffersonville's Joe Becker and John Donahue for his first Late Model victory of the young 2006 season. Becker, the 2003 Thunder Road Late Model Rookie of the Year started on the outside pole along side Colchester's David Chagnon. The pair battled for the several laps before Becker was able to complete the pass and move into the lead.
Pembroke, who won the track's 2000 freshman title, took off after Becker with Donahue in tow. Former Thunder Road Champion, Dave Whitcomb and ageless veteran Joey Laquerre were in the hunt as well. The front group circled the high banked quarter-mile oval for lap after lap in a tight group until the first caution came out on the 22nd lap of the 50-lap main event.

In an effort to answer the age old question, who is a better driver, mother’s or father’s, Thunder Road Speedbowl in Barre held a Match Race between the sexes. Four dads and three moms’ started the event in an effort to answer that question. Thunder Road was forced to hold the Casella Mother’s Day 100 on Father’s Day (June 18th), as rain postponed the show on May 14th and June 4th. In order to celebrate both holidays track management decided to hold a Match Race, pitting moms against dads.

Nextel Cup star, Kenny Schrader of Fenton, MO will return to Thunder Road on July 13 for the New England Dodge Dealers VT Governor's Cup it was announced at the Hannaford Food & Drug/Pelletier Quick Lube Trophy Dash Thursday, June 15. (PHOTO: Kenny Schrader waves to last year's standing room only crowd that turned out to watch him tackle Thunder Road's high banked in an ACT Late Model during prerace ceremonies)

Following his ninth place finish in last year's Fisher/Federated Auto Parts 50 in a car out of the Phil Scott stables, Schrader requested a second chance at the high banked quarter-mile oval. "I love this track, well most of it, except for that fourth turn," he stated after climbing out of his ride. Thunder Road's fourth turn wall, which looks like its leaning in toward the track, has been known for all of its 47 years as the "Widowmaker". Schrader went on to say that he'd really like the opportunity at running in a 100 lap race for the Late Models. He'll get his chance on Thursday, July 13.

Schrader has requested that the same car and team be available to aid in his quest for a Thunder Road feature win. He's also asked track owners Tom Curley and Ken Squier if they could also turn on the track lights this year!

Post time for the New England Dodge Dealers VT Governor's Cup will be 6:00 pm.

(PHOTO: Kenny Schrader climbs out of the Phil Duto prepared, Phil Scott owned Late Model following last year's respectable 9th place finish in the Fisher/Federated Auto Parts 50. Schrader will pilot the same car in the upcoming VT Governor's Cup)