Former T-Road, ACT Champ Scott Enters VT Governor's Race
Posted By Tj Ingerson On September 8, 2015
Categories: American-Canadian Tour | Regional | Thunder Road
PHOTO: Former Thunder Road and American-Canadian Tour champion and current Vermont Lieutenant Governor Phil Scott has announced his intentions to run for the Governor of Vermont. (VMM file photo)
MONTPELIER -- Vermont Lieutenant Governor and former Thunder Road Late Model champion Phil Scott announced his intentions to run for the position of Governor of Vermont for the 2016 gubernatorial election.
Scott made the announcement through his Facebook page and on his website on Tuesday morning.
“As you know, over the last several months, I’ve contemplated how I can best serve Vermonters in the future,” Scott said in his statement. “After much reflection, many conversations and much encouragement, I will be a candidate for Governor in 2016.”
Scott has been a mainstay in the Thunder Road Late Model division since its inception, earning his first win in 1993. The Barre, Vt. native has since earned three “King of the Road” track championship titles -- in 1996, 1998, and 2002 -- and sits as the all-time winningest driver in the Late Model division with 29 overall wins.
Scott has also been victorious in the Vermont Milk Bowl twice and was the American-Canadian Tour champion in 2002.
Scott was elected a Vermont State Senator in 2000, representing Washington County. During his five terms, he served as Vice Chair of the Transportation Committee and the Chair of the Institutions Committee.
In 2010, Scott was elected as Vermont’s 79th Lieutenant Governor and assumed office on January 6, 2011.
“I will be a steady hand at the helm, provide balanced leadership that values listening, stand up for working families and confront our crisis of affordability in meaningful ways,” Scott said in his statement. “Practical leadership that delivers -- instead of overpromising -- will rebuild faith and trust in government and move Vermont forward in very positive ways.”
Scott has not stated how his Governorship campaign might affect his status as a race car driver. However, Scott did tell WDEV Radio on Sunday before the Labor Day Classic that he does plan to compete in some capacity at Thunder Road in 2016.