Barre, VT - - Perennial ACT title contender Brent Dragon of Milton, VT, predicts that this Sunday’s Thunder Road 45th season opener will play a key role in the 2004 New England Dodge Tour championship battle. More than forty ACT Late Models are expected for the Merchants Bank Freedom Lynx 150, the first of fourteen tour events, three of which are slated for the Barre, VT high-baked quarter mile oval.

"I’m excited to get started and I think I can make a good run at the title, but I need to be consistently strong at Thunder Road to do it," says Dragon. "Look at the top contenders, Jean-Paul Cyr, Phil Scott, Jamie Fisher, Patrick Laperle and Todd Stone. Cyr, Scott and Laperle have won tour races there, Fisher’s the track champion and Stone’s come on strong. I’ve won races at Thunder Road and I was third in the 150 last year, but I’ve struggled a lot there too. The track changes a lot and if you miss the set-up and can’t run outside, you’re in trouble."

Dragon, a multi-time Airborne Raceway champion, won two ACT events in 2003 and placed fourth overall, but lost ground late to defending champion Cyr and runner-up Stone when he failed to crack the top ten in two late-season Thunder Road contests. His 2004 Dodge Intrepid is sponsored by Kinney Drugs, Leo’s Furniture and Beverage Mart.

The NAPA Tiger Sportsmen, Allen Lumber Street Stocks and Power Shift On Line Junkyard Warriors will also see opening day action. Post time Sunday is 1:30 p.m. Gates open at 10:00 a.m. Fans can save $3 on an adult ticket ($15) with a Dodge super discount coupon available at their nearest New England Dodge Dealer.

Thunder Road is located in Barre, just off Quarry Street, a mile from Route 14. For further information, call 802-244-6963 or visit acttour.com

Burlington, VT - - Jean-Paul Cyr was officially crowned the 2003 ACT New England Dodge Tour Champion at the ACT Awards Banquet Saturday night January 17th at the Sheraton/Burlington Hotel.

The 38 year-old racer from Milton, VT won four of sixteen events in the Late Model series to edge his closest rival, Todd Stone of Middlebury, 1416-1403.

Brent received the fourth place award for his posting of 1350 points and was additionally honored with the ACT Late Model Sportsmanship award.

Brent's 2003 accomplishments included two wins - at the Waterford Speedbowl on July 5th and at Quebec's Circuit Ste- Croix on June 28th - and the First Leg Bonus Award which paid $5,000.00 for leading the points standings at the half way point of the ACT Tour season.

Photos by Leif Tillotson

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