Brian Hoar Hangs On - WCAX.COM Local Vermont News, Weather and Sports-

Eight-time and defending ACT Champion Brian Hoar, of Williston VT, rode a hot streak on his way to his second win in a row on the ACT Tour in the Merchants Bank 150 on Sunday, April 29 at Thunder Road.  Hoar fought off former Lee USA Champion Wayne Helliwell Jr, of Dover NH, and two-time Serie ACT Castrol Champion Patrick Laperle of St. Denis, QC for his first ever Merchants Bank 150 win. 

Hoar started from the second position, after a +6 plus minus out of his heat, and stole the lead from Thunder Road defending Champion Dave Pembroke on lap 21. Hoar paced the field for 19 laps only to lose the lead to seven-time ACT Champion Jean Paul Cyr on lap 40.  Cyr took the lead and looked unstoppable for 79 laps, slicing and dicing through lap traffic, until lap 109 caution in which he pitted after the other leaders to take tires.  Helliwell Jr, and two-time Merchants Bank 150 Champ Nick Sweet battled it out before Sweet headed down pit road on a lap 116 caution, leaving Hoar, Laperle, and Helliwell to fight for the win. 

The race was completed in 1:13:55 but was slowed by 6 cautions and a red flag for a multi-car wreck on lap 70.  Many cars were involved including 2011 ACT Rookie of the Year Ben Ashline, multi-time Thunder Road Champion Cris Michaud, Ben Rowe, Randy Potter, Glen Luce, Cody Blake, Quinny Welch, Jamie Aube, and Brent Dragon. The multi-car incident started with Michaud bouncing off the widowmaker and collecting the remainder of the group at the entrance of pit road.

Blair Bassett of Worcester, VT claimed an emotional first ever Bond Auto Tiger Sportsman win, fending off Scott Coburn, Chris Pelkey, 2011 Rookie of the Year Kyle Pembroke, and Joe Steffen.  Rounding out the top ten was Mike Martin, Dylan Payea, George May, Josh Demers, and Matt Potter. 

All-time Street Stock win leader Tommy Thunder added another to the list picking up his 23rd win in dominating fashion in the Allen Lumber Street Stock division.  He was chased to the line by Garry Bashaw, Bunker Hodgdon, Jason Kenison, and Daniel Lathrop.  Completing the top ten was Dean Switser, Ben Belanger, Nick Pilotte, David Whitcomb, and Danny Doyle. 

--ACT Press Release