This weekends “Governors Cup 200” at Lee USA Speedway, April 20th, will not only feature race drivers from throughout the Northeast and Canada, it will showcase the regions local talent on the race track and center stage.
    Strong fields of competitors are expected to enter the 2008 season opener at the Route 125 oval highlighting the popular American-Canadian Tour and True Value Modified Racing Series, each competing in 100 lap races. The unique event is only the second time the two premier touring divisions have been on the same race card. The first time, July 18, 2006, Ben Rowe and Kirk Alexander shared victory lane at Lee. The two touring divisions will again share the spotlight Memorial Day weekend at Thunder Road International Speed- Bowl, Barre, VT.
    In addition, a popular New Hampshire Country Music Association recording artist has been added to the show participating in ceremonies prior to the start of the “Governors Cup 200.” The race is run in honor of the Granite States top official, Governor John Lynch, who plans to be on hand, as he was a year ago, when the race was returned to the Lee schedule.
    Teammates Ricky Wolf, Northwood , NH , and Katrina Canney, Barrington , NH , have entered the ACT Late Model race. Wolf announced recently he will campaign regularly on the ACT in 2008 and is anxiously looking forward to starting his new racing endeavor at his home track, where he once claimed a championship and NASCAR regional title. Wolf will drive for Willoughby Motorsports, Rochester , NH . and will be teamed with the legendary Bobby Dragon, Milton , VT.
    Canney, the Coe-Brown Northwood Academy high school senior, will enter her familiar family owned racer. A regular Friday night competitor at Lee, she’ll become only the third woman competitor in ACT history.
    Other Lee USA Speedway drivers expected include two-time Late Model Champion J. R. Baril of Haverhill, MA, young gun Jeff Labrecque, Jr. of Rochester , NH., 2007 Rookie of the Year Miles Chipman, Epping, NH, and Newmarket, NH’s, Jeremy Harclerode. Harclerode brought the crowd to its feet finishing a strong second to Rowe in the 2006 event.
    “Outlaw” Eddie MacDonald, Rowley , MA , plans to run the American-Canadian Tour Late Model Championship Season Opener. The 27 year-old will climb from the seat of his NASCAR Camping World East Series car at Greenville-Pickens Speedway in South Carolina on Saturday night, then drive to Charlotte , NC and board a flight to Boston on Sunday morning. “It’s going to be awful tight trying to get to Lee in time for the drivers’ meeting and practice and everything that goes on in the morning,” MacDonald predicted. “I’m scheduled to arrive in Boston at 10:30 AM, so we’ll really have to make some good time on the way to the track.”
    On the other side of the coin, local drivers and former winners at Lee are entered for the season opener for the open-wheel ground pounding True Value Modified Racing Series. Sunday’s race is the first of eight “Sunoco Mod Mania” qualifying races for the big event that showcases modified racing at Thompson , CT in September.
    Hampstead NH’s Andy Seuss, winner of last years Octoberfest race at Lee, will return to his old stomping grounds in the family owned and prepared # 70 car. He too will be flying in Sunday morning from Caraway Speedway, Asheboro , NC . where he will compete in NASCAR Southern Modified Tour action Saturday. Seuss finished a strong second at Caraway this past weekend. Joining the Pinkerton Academy grad will be last October’s runner-up finisher Mike Douglas Jr, Auburn , NH . His family owned racer has been completely revamped for the new campaign. Both drivers competed weekly at Lee early on in their careers.
    Former Lee winner Louie Mechalides, Tygnsboro , MA , is expected in a brand new car. Mechalides is a former track champion at Lee and always has a well prepared race car from Turcotte Motorsports, Nashua , NH . Weare , NH ’s Ken White Jr, a rookie of the year contender, is also expected.
    Three-time champion Kirk Alexander will be ready for the opener defending his 2007 title. Hot shoes Les Hinckley, Windsor Locks, CT, always a strong runner at Lee, David Pinkham, Buxton , ME , young gun Chris Pasteryak, Lisbon , CT , and long-time veteran Vinnie Annarummo, Swansea , MA and former Lee winner,Tony Ricci, Westbrook , ME. , are expected.
    Manchester NH native Jimmy Lehoux, a former NH Country Music Association vocalist of the year award winner, has taken the country music scene by storm providing “openings” on the road for country and rock legends Alabama , Charlie Daniels, Little Feat, Marshall Tucker, and Molly Hatchett. Lehoux, will sing the national anthem in pre race ceremonies.
    The New England Legend Tour and Allison Legacy Series will also be featured.
    Practice sessions begin at 12 noon with qualifying races to determine starting lineups for all divisions scheduled for 1:00 PM.
    General admission seating is only $20 for adults, Junior Tickets (11-15) $10 with children age 10 and under admitted free. For additional information contact 978- 462-4252 or log on to www.leeusaspeedway.com.

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