Joey Pole claims Carquest Vermont Governor’s Cup 150 at Thunder Road

By Phil Whipple

            BARRE, Vermont — On a night when thousands of race fans converged on a tiny short track in Central Vermont to see their NASCAR hero, it was a 20-year-old phenom from southern New Hampshire that stole the show.

            Joey Polewarczyk Jr. powered around the outside of Jamie Fisher on lap 57, then held off a relentless challenge from sophomore sensation Nick Sweet to win the ACT Carquest Vermont Governor’s Cup 150 Thursday night at Thunder Road International Speedway.

            Former Thunder Road track champion Cris Michaud made a late-race move underneath Sweet to claim second, while Fisher and John Donahue completed the top five.

            Polewarczyk, known simply as “Joey Pole” in racing circles, started eighth on the 30-car grid, moved into the top five within 10 laps and set his sights on the lead. With the crushing disappointment of spinning off Turn 3 while leading with just 18 laps to go in this year’s Memorial Day Classic fresh on his mind, Pole had ample incentive to stay focused.

            A late caution for Jason Bonnet’s spin set up a five-lap sprint to the checkers, and Pole would not be denied on this night.

            “That was just awesome,” Pole said in Victory Lane. “I have to thank Nick Sweet for racing me so clean. That was a great battle for a lot of laps. I tried to run on the bottom earlier, but the car wasn’t good down there. So I went to the outside and found a lot of grip, and it

all worked out for us tonight. It feels so good to finally win here. The history, these fans and the level of competition make it something I’ll never forget.”    

            Michaud’s runner-up performance was the best-ever finish the new Ford crate engine program. He and crew chief Kendall Legendre put a great deal of effort into the development of Ford’s new short track Late Model powerplant.  

            “My car was a little free early on in the race,” Michaud said. “Kendall said to hold on, that it would get better as the track cooled off. He was right, and we were able to come from 10^th up to contend. That battle up front between Joey and Nick was impressive, and I had a great seat.”   

            Pole’s team fielded a car for two-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion and current point leader Tony Stewart. The “Rushville Rocket” was in New England preparing for Sunday’s Lenox Industrial Tools 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

            Stewart drew what some are calling the largest crowd in Thunder Road’s rich 50-year history, with just about every square inch of property occupied by post time. His first-ever visit to Vermont’s famed 1/4-mile oval was a big hit with fans, and he finished 16^th in the feature despite being involved in three cautions.

            “That was one of the best short track races I’ve ever been in,” explained Stewart. “I’ve never seen so much give and take and respect among drivers in such tight quarters. I admire the guys who race here every week, they’ve got a great track and some tough competition.”

            After struggling in early practice, Stewart did improve the setup up his Old Spice/Office Depot/Pole’s Automotive No. 14 Chevrolet. He started 16^th on the grid after finishing second in his qualifying Heat. He had trouble right from the start, yet showed his determination to salvage the best possible finish as the race progressed.

            Finishing sixth through 10^th in the Vermont Governor’s Cup 150 was Dave Pembroke, Trampas Demers, Phil Scott, Joey Laquerre and Eric Williams. Eight cautions slowed the pace, while a violent flip by legendary short track champion Robbie Crouch brought out the red flag.

            Crouch’s car made contact with another car going down the front stretch, slammed into the outside retaining wall and flipped onto it’s roof and slid wildly down the pit entrance road. 

            Fisher led the first 25 laps, Donahue set the pace from laps 26 through 42, then Fisher drove back by to re-take command at lap 43. After six cautions in the first 57 laps, the race ran under green until Brooks Clark spun the No. 68 machine on lap 112.     

            Heat winners were Trampas Demers, Pole, Tony Andrews and Mike Bailey.