[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 13]
[Senate]
[Page 17624]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




        50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THUNDER ROAD INTERNATIONAL SPEEDBOWL

 Mr. SANDERS. Mr. President, today I honor a renowned Vermont 
landmark and business, Thunder Road International SpeedBowl, which is 
celebrating its 50th anniversary this season.
  Thursday nights every summer, short track races take place on Thunder 
Road's uniquely configured quarter-mile paved track. Thunder Road has 
been recognized as one of the finest short tracks in the Nation. Built 
in 1959 on farm land in Barre, VT, by longtime network sports 
commentator Ken Squier and his partners, Thunder Road is an American 
institution of which Vermont is proud.
  Thunder Road has offered inexpensive family entertainment for five 
decades. This revered race track has brought international racing stars 
to the Green Mountain State while also offering opportunities for 
Vermonters to compete in front of passionate and knowledgeable fans.
  After World War II, there were more than 22 short tracks in the State 
of Vermont. With only three tracks remaining, Thunder Road stands out 
as the largest spectator sports venue in the State.
  Today, some drivers at Thunder Road can recall watching their 
grandfathers drive the same track. ``Thunder Road is just about 
racing--there's no politics, no marketing--it's just racing and it's 
always been that way,'' said Steve Letarte, a Maine native and crew 
chief for NASCAR star Jeff Gordon.
  Vermonters appreciate Thunder Road for its longtime contributions to 
its community. For 50 years, this short track has been an invaluable 
institution for the people of Vermont and throughout the 
Northeast.

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