Date Posted:  January 22, 2011

Rumored New Partner to Thunder Class

With three weeks remaining until the annual drivers meeting a new rumor has started to percolate greater interest in the developments of the Thunder Car division.

Flamboro Speedway management has confirmed that they have started conversations with a potential new partner to the ultra-competitive intermediate class, but details of this sponsor identity and the details of the proposed project are so far unknown.  "Yes, there is potential that the Thunder Car class could see a new namesake this summer but I am not prepared to share any more at this time.  It's too early;" said co-promoter John Casale.

Casale did elude that the sponsor is known to members of the Flamboro Speedway community, and that this new project would be furthering the company's involvement with grassroots racing.  "Yes, they have been involved in the past.  This new development would be the next step to furthering their relationship with the teams and fans of the speedway."

The Thunder Car division at Flamboro Speedway has continued to grow in popularity in the past five years.  The stock-class of eight cylinder racers have steadily raised the bar of competition and continue to provide outstanding main events in their 25-lap feature races.  Originally sponsored by Midtown Carstar Collision on Ferguson Avenue South in Hamilton, this group has worked hard to attract fans and sponsor attention, emerging from under the shadow of the Flamboro Late Models.  The reigning champion Randy 'the Rocket' Rusnell celebrated his fourth consecutive title in 2010, but anyone in the know about Thunder Car racing will tell you it's an incredible accomplishment that was not achieved all through checkered flag dominance.  While Rusnell, who started in Burlington but now resides in Cambridge, has posted awards for the most checkered flags earned in recent years, last season he was held winless through the regular season.  Runner-up to the throne Kevin Albers, from Rockton, scored the most main event victories with four, followed closely by four drivers each with three wins to their credit.  Five more drivers scored a single main event ticket to victory lane.

Consistency and resolve have taken the Rocket racing team to the championship for the past four years, over coming new challenges each season.  In 2011, we can only speculate what hurdles will stand in the way of the 'Drive for Five.'  Mechanical challenges, officiating concerns, and the classic, time and money, are all obstacles that could affect any team on any week.  But to focus on the competition, the Chenoweth racing team - Bob and Shawn Chenoweth - top the list as contenders to the thrown, though it is unknown yet whether either will commit to chasing the season-long driver championship.  The 'Ice Man' Brad Collison has been close to the top each summer, but has not yet repeated his 2004 championship season.  Kevin Albers and the #27 Team have been runner-up so many times that even Susan Lucci is starting to feel for them.  And the list goes on to include Nick Troback, Steve Perry, Billy Zardo and more.  It's the unknown that has made this division so thrilling to watch in recent summers, as the checkered flag is up for grabs on any night.

New sponsor attention can only help to continue the development of this incredible group of racers.  The new crate motor program has brought more parity to the on-track racing, and helped move team focus on to learning more about chassis setup and driving skill.  The Hoosier racing tires have leveled the field further by putting everyone on the same compound.  With the handicap system in place to force top performers to fight their way through traffic, racing against other cars and the lap counter, there were more changes in position and greater races to the front than we've ever seen.  To whomever the sponsor may be, Thank You for taking a look at this deserving class.  We all hope that your involvement will prove mutually beneficial; and I know that this division will make you proud to hear your name every Saturday night.

Cheers,

JP