John Donahue wins at Thunder Road

For once, John Donahue didn't have to drive more than 3 hours to win a Late Model race.

The Graniteville, Vt., driver dominated the Bond Auto Labor Day Classic 200 at Thunder Road Speedbowl, taking the lead from Scott Payea in lapped traffic prior to the halfway point and never relinquishing it en route to the 1st American-Canadian Tour win of his career.

Randy Potter of Groveton, N.H., rallied from a 2-tire pit stop to finish 2nd, with multi-time ACT champion Jean-Paul Cyr 3rd. Brent Dragon and Ben Rowe rounded out the top-5.

Previously this season, Donahue, who competes weekly in Thunder Road's Late Model division, won a 100-lap open at Oxford Plains Speedway. Oxford once served as a 2nd home for Donahue's racing efforts -- he would drive more than 6 1/2 hours, round trip, to compete in a Strictly Stock owned by a relative.

"I live about 4 minutes down the street," Donahue said of Thunder Road. "But I'd (travel to Oxford) again, too, to race. I just like going around in circles. You know, drive 4 hours to drive a 20-lap race and then drive 4 hours back."

Donahue started 3rd, and he followed the pole-sitter Payea into heavy lapped traffic as the race was slowed only once in the first 100 laps by caution. On lap 94, with Payea waiting for lapped cars to sort themselves out in front of him, Donahue pounced on the chance and took the lead.

Donahue also started 3rd the day he won for the 1st time this season -- winning the L/A Harley-Davidson at Oxford on June 10.

"It worked out good that day, too. (The season) started out good and now it's ended good here. Perfect," Donahue said. "It's the same car, too. It's not the one I run here every week, it's the tour car. I probably should have run it here every week this summer.

"It is important to start up front. I started up front at Oxford and it made it easier that day, too. You don't have to beat on your equipment trying to get up through. It is important -- and I'm just learning this."

*****

ACT Bond Auto Labor Day Classic 200

Unofficial results

1. John Donahue, Graniteville, Vt.; 2. Randy Potter, Groveton, N.H.; 3. Jean-Paul Cyr, Milton, Vt.; 4. Brent Dragon, Milton, Vt.; 5. Ben Rowe, Turner, Maine; 6. Brad Leighton, Center Conway, N.H.; 7. Scott Payea, Milton, Vt.; 8. Jamie Fisher, Shelburne, Vt.; 9. David Avery, North Woodstock, N.H.; 10. Eddie MacDonald, Rowley, Mass.