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New England Dodge Dealers 150 Notebook

By Phil Whipple

            Whenever the Vermont-based American-Canadian Tour (ACT) rolls into Oxford Plains Speedway, one safe bet is that the ongoing rivalry between ACT’s touring invaders and Oxford’s regular weekly teams will provide ample entertainment.

            Sunday’s New England Dodge Dealers 150, Round 4 on the 2009 ACT schedule, continued that tradition in fine fashion as Oxford veteran Timmy Brackett battled eventual winner Joey Polewarczyk Jr. for the lead. Brackett led for eight laps (99-107) but settled for third at the finish behind “Irish”John Donahue.

            Know affectionately as “Joey Pole” in racing circles, 19-year-old Polewarczyk is ACT’s poster boy for the “new guard” of northeastern short track racing.

            Former Oxford champion Ricky Rolfe, the man who dominated this race in 2008, was also a factor Sunday until carburetor trouble took him out of contention. Rolfe led twice for a total of 57 laps and finished 17^th on the lead lap.

            Turner, Maine resident and Aroostook County native Shawn Martin earned the pole Sunday and led the first 29 laps in his  No. 94 BRP-Oxford Networks Chevrolet. Martin’s car tends to fade on long green runs, and Sunday was no different. He did, however hang on for a solid 10^th-place finish.

            Bracket has done just about everything a guy could do at Oxford over the years. He’s won in several divisions and is definitely one of the good guys. Like ageless Al Hammond, who will return to action at Oxford on July 4, Brackett converted his old Pro Stock machine over to a Late Model for 2009. I knew he was fast on practice day, and he sure was impressive in the ACT race.

            Looking at the geographical breakdown from Sunday’s 150, we had only six drivers from New Hampshire (but led by a pretty sharp kid from Hudson) in the final rundown; 13 from Vermont and 11 Maine natives. The Pine Tree State can boast four drivers in the top 10; led by Brackett (third); Shawn Knight (fourth); defending Late Model champion Travis Adams (sixth) and Martin (10^th).

            One consistent thing we’ve seen through the first four ACT races in 2009 is plenty of long, green-flag racing. Sunday’s 150-lap tilt at Oxford was slowed by only two cautions, both for minor spins. In fact, 30 cars sprinted for the first 85 laps before fill-in flagman “Magic” Marvin Galarneau needed to unfurl the yellow.

            Thanks to a rain-out on Saturday night in Quebec, the ACT staff was divided into two locations on Sunday. Galarneau does an excellent job providing information to the media at most races and will return to his normal duties this coming weekend at Thunder Road.

            It was tough to see young Tyler Cahoon of St. Johnsbury, VT, struggle Sunday at Oxford. Cahoon is an up-and-coming sophomore on the ACT Late Model tour and is the son of veteran short track ace Stacy Cahoon. Tyler needed a provisional to get into the 150 Sunday and limped his way to a 29^th place finish. Things will get turned around for the No. 38VT gang soon, but after not making the show on May 3^rd at Thunder Road I can’t imagine he’s too confident about going back for the Mekkelsen RV Memorial Dal Classic.

            Interesting to note on Sunday was that veteran Bobby Dragon was driving Pete Duto’s No. 55 Subway Ford. Bobby’s son Scott piloted the No. 71 machine that he usually drives, and wheeled it to a solid seventh-place finish. Bobby finished 15^th in the car Brad Leighton drove to victory in the season-opening NH Governor’s Cup 150 at Lee USA on April 19.

            When teams and fans arrive at Barre, Vermont’s famed Thunder Road International Speedbowl, they’re all in for as special treat. ACT president Tom Curley told me what he an Ken Squire have invested in memorials and capital improvements, and I’m impressed. I can’t wait to see these tributes to the men who helped build Thunder Road’s rich 50-year history.