Waterbury, VT – Opening season excitement returns to Lee USA Speedway on Sunday, April 18, 2010. The traditional opening event of the race season for the American Canadian Tour (ACT) at Lee USA presents a special challenge for the ACT teams. The New Hampshire Governor’s Cup 150 used to have a decided edge to the touring teams, but not anymore.
“The Lee Late Model teams have come a long way over the past several years in gaining experience in long distance races,” Tom Curley, president of the ACT, which opens its 25th season on April 18th, said. “When you combine that with the ‘home track’ advantage, there are always some Lee teams that challenge for good finishes in the opening event.”
2009 Champion Wayne Helliwell, Jr. from Dracut, MA, will be driving the Bruce Bernhardt Ford and will lead the Lee contingent at the opening event. Other Lee regulars expected to make a run for the NH Governor’s Cup are former champion JR Baril, Bryan Kruczek, and former winner on the ACT at Canaan Fair Speedway in 2005, AJ Begin from Merrimac, MA.
“The competition just to get in the Lee opener is always one of the most difficult of the season,” said former Governor’s Cup winner and ACT title contender Joey Polewarczyk (Pole), from nearby Hudson, NH.
When asked if he might have an edge after some early spring racing with the NASCAR K&N Pro Series at Greenville Pickens and South Boston Speedways, Pole said, “Not really--the ACT teams will be well prepared as always, and some will have tested before Lee. Actually, they may have a little advantage. The toughest part is the large number of teams that usually show up for the opener and especially some of the Lee guys are getting really competitive. It’s time to get started and I can’t wait.”
Over 50 teams are expected to be at Lee for the opening event. Former Lee winners Jean-Paul Cyr and Cris Michaud from Vermont will join home state Governor Cup winners Joey Pole and defending Champion Brad Leighton from Center Harbor, NH in their quest to repeat in 2010.
Adding some extra energy to the Lee event is the fact that the winner gets a qualified spot in the 2010 ACT Invitational II to be held at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway during the first NASCAR ‘Chase’ event on September 18, 2010.
ACT teams will practice on Saturday, April 17, 2010 from noon until 5:00pm. Sunday pits will open at 9:00am and general admission gates open at 10:00. Post time is 1:00 for the New Hampshire Governor’s Cup 150.
For additional information contact the ACT office at 802.244.6963 or media@acttour.com, or Lee USA Speedway at 978.462.4252.
Photo: Driver introductions before the 2009 NH Governor's Cup at Lee USA Speedway.
Photo By: Eric LaFleche
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