Leads 95 laps in dominating Thunder Road Late Model run
–by T.J. Ingerson (@TJIngerson)
VMM Editor
BARRE – Tyler Cahoon dreamt of winning Late Model races at Thunder Road growing up, but he never could have imagined winning the Mekkelsen RV Memorial Day Classic.
The St. Johnsbury driver did just that, however, as he led the final 95 laps of the 100-lap Late Model event on Sunday at Thunder Road to claim his first career Late Model win at the track.
“It’s huge,” Cahoon said. “Our number one goal this year was to win a race at Thunder Road, to put our name up on that block.
Cahoon started in the third spot and took the lead from Matt White one lap before a lap six caution flag. From there, Cahoon stretched his lead to over a straightaway over White. By lap 50, however, Cahoon had a new car that sat distant in his rear view mirror as Scott Dragon moved into the second spot.
Tyler Cahoon joined his father, Stacy (right), as a Thunder Road Late Model winner. (T.J. Ingerson/VMM photo)
Despite a miscue by Dragon that saw him drop his right side tires off the backstretch and slow his forward progress, Cahoon saw his lead being to slip away as he fought lapped traffic. With 15 laps remaining, Dragon was able to get to Cahoon’s rear bumper, but Cahoon was able to pull away in clear track and claimed the win.
“I knew where Scott (Dragon) was for about the last 50 laps,” Cahoon said. “I knew anyone coming in my rear view mirror that it was him. If he caught me, I knew he was going to do everything he could to get by me, but I know he’s a clean racer and that he’d do it respectively.
“If I had to finish second to anyone, it was going to be him today.”
The win for Cahoon has brought his racing career full circle. He watched his father, Stacy, race and win in Late Model races at Thunder Road before he put his own mark on the track as he won the Street Stock championship in 2000. Cahoon then transition to Late Model racing at White Mountain Motorsports Park, where he won multiple races. For the past two seasons, he ran a part-time schedule running the major Late Model events at Thunder Road.
“I’ve watched this race since I was very young,” Cahoon said. “My father won (this race) back in 1995. To see him go through the excitement of winning the race, and then through my days in the Four Cylidners and watching these (Late Models) out here beating and banging for the win and the years since.
“Now, in the year 2016, I get to put my name up there (on a Granite monument). Ten or 15 years ago, I never would have thought this would happen. We had high hopes, but to come out (with the win) today, it’s very, very special moment for me.”
Tyler Cahoon and his Cahoon family team celebrate their Thunder Road Mekkelsen RV Memorial Day Classic win. (Alan Ward photo)
For Cahoon, a major part of his win was it came with his family-owned, -led, and -supported that extended past just his blood born relatives.
“It’s such a family team. And our family goes way beyond blood,” Cahoon said. “We having a whole camping family that’s been with us for year. My father started racing in 1987 and that friends and family had just consistently grown over the years to a huge, huge loving family. To have them all here, my regular family, my little ones, my big ones, my boys, my wife, it’s awesome.
“You couldn’t ask for a better day. But here we are.”
Dragon, of Milton, Vt., held off Jason Corliss late to finish second. Barre’s Corliss came from an 11th place starting spot to finish third. Trampas Demers of South Burlington worked his way from a 14th place starting spot to finish fourth while Nick Sweet of Barre finished fifth from a 12th place starting spot.
Brooks Clark and John Donahue finished sixth and seventh, respectively, while Kyle Pembroke drove from 17th to finish eighth. Matt White and Cody Blake completed the top-ten finishers.
The race was only slowed by two cautions, the last of which came on lap six, and was completed in just under 35 minutes. Corliss, Sweet, and Donahue scored the heat race wins while Dragon claimed the consi win.
Thunder Road’s season continues on Sunday, June 12 for the Harvest Equipment event.
VtMotorMag.com will have more from the Mekkelsen RV Memorial Day Classic soon.
UNOFFICIAL RESULTS – Mekkelsen RV Memorial Day Classic
Thunder Road Int’l Speedbowl, Barre, Vt.
Sunday, May 29, 2016
Pos.-(Start)-Driver-Hometown
(# — denotes rookie)
1. (3) Tyler Cahoon, St. Johnsbury
2. (6) Scott Dragon, Milton
3. (11) Jason Corliss, Barre
4. (14) Trampas Demers, South Burlington
5. (12) Nick Sweet, Barre
6. (5) Brook Clark, Fayston
7. (13) John Donahue, Graniteville
8. (17) Kyle Pembroke, Montpelier
9. (1) Matt White, Northfield
10. (16) Cody Blake, Barre
11. (4) Brett Gervais, Island Pond
12. (15) Phil Scott, Middlesex
13. (9) Mike Bailey, South Barre
14. (21) Boomer Morris, Barre
15. (20) # Marcel J. Gravel, Wolcott
16. (23) Richard Lowery III, Charlotte
17. (8) Eric Chase, Milton
18. (19) Shawn Fleury, Middlesex
19. (25) Ricky Roberts, East Barre
20. (22) Walt Hammond Jr., Orange, N.H.
21. (29) # Chris Pelkey, South Barre
22. (18) Darrell Morin, Westford
23. (7) Dave Whitcomb, Essex Junction
24. (10) Jeremy Zullo, Claremont, N.H.
25. (26) Mike Foster, Williston
26. (24) Scott Coburn, Barre
27. (27) Brian Tarbell, Springfield
28. (2) Eric Badore, Milton
Did Not Start: Jason Allen, Barre
PHOTOS:
1- Tyler Cahoon celebrates his Mekkelsen RV Memorial Day Classic win on Sunday afternoon at Thunder Road. (Alan Ward photo)
2 – Tyler Cahoon joined his father, Stacy (right), as a Thunder Road Late Model winner. (T.J. Ingerson/VMM photo)
3 – Tyler Cahoon and his Cahoon family team celebrate their Thunder Road Mekkelsen RV Memorial Day Classic win. (Alan Ward photo)
