Demers powers to Thunder Road win
|
|
Dennis Demers raced off wit hthe Harvest Equipment Night Late Model victory Friday. |
Toolbox
By TOM HERZIG CORRESPONDENT - Published: June 20, 2009
BARRE TOWN – What's a little (more) rain among the Thunder Road faithful?
One night later than planned – with NASCAR legend Bobby Allison on hand to witness – 61-year-old Dennis Demers raced off with the Harvest Equipment Night Late Model victory Friday night.
Demers announced his retirement last fall, but he couldn't stay away. He bested runner-up Robbie Crouch, who started racing at the Road in 1972, on an early restart and then dominated the action and won by a dozen car lengths.
Crouch outlasted Joe Becker, who tested him over the second half of the 50-lap race, only to run afoul of a backmarker pile-up while approaching the finish line. As Becker took evasive action, Phil Scott slipped underneath to claim third.
"I just closed my eyes at the end," Scott said. "It's nice to be the youngest guy in victory lane."
Trampas Demers, Dennis' son, benefited from the melee to sneak home fifth ahead of tough-luck Brooks Clark. Jean-Paul Cyr, Grant Folsom, Matt White and Eric Chase completed the top 10."I've seen some great racing tonight," three-time Daytona 500 winner Allison said. "I've really enjoyed the times I've come here. This is the grass roots base from where the good racing comes from."
Demers' win was the 10th of his Late Model career.
"The car was as good as it's ever been here," Demers said. "I wish I knew why."
Mike Ziter of Williamstown scored an opportunistic NAPA Tiger Sportsman win. Ziter, who qualified through the consolation to get into the race, was running second just behind leader Ricky Roberts of Washington when Roberts' car shut down on the backstretch of the final lap. Bobby Therrien, Tony Rossi, Derrick O'Donnell and David Finck wound up in spots 2-5. Roberts worked underneath early leader John Lambert for the lead on lap 12 and led until the lights went out.
Michael Moore of East Haven won the Allen Lumber Street Stock main event. Tim Campbell and Joe Bl;ais were second and third. Donny Yates of North Montpelier won the Junkyard Warrior portion of the same race.
Next up as Thunder Road's 50th anniversary season continues next Thursday with the Carquest Vermont Governor's Cup 150 with NASCAR Sprint Cup star Tony Stewart joining the competition. The largest crowd in T-Road history looms as a possibility. Gates open at 3 p.m. Racing begins at 6 p.m.