BARRE — Thunder Road officials have announced the disqualification of Barre Mayor Thom Lauzon from the 28th Annual M&M Beverage Enduro 200 held on Sunday at Barre’s Thunder Road. Lauzon, the driver of the No. 39 O.U.R. House/Believe in Barre 1986 Buick Regal made an unapproved driver switch in the middle of the event, disqualifying him from his 80th place finish.
Lauzon, who is a hometown crowd favorite as the Mayor of Barre, found himself in trouble early in the 200-lap event. The 51-year old driver recorded 40 laps unofficially, but after an early incident dove into the pits and made an illegal driver switch. Just before the change however, Lauzon drew the ire of the Thunder Road Property Management team by engaging in some “agricultural racing,” tearing up the track’s infield for several minutes after a tire blowout.
Director of Competition Dean Gallison, who spotted the unauthorized driver change, checked with Thunder Road headquarters on the official decision to disqualify the No. 39 speedster from Barre on Monday. Lauzon will lose his 80th place finish, improved from his 89th place finish in 2011, relegating him to dead last in the 100-car field.
Thunder Road returns to action later this week for Run-What-You-Brung night, where fans will race in their registered and inspected vehicles on the Barre high banks, this Thursday, August 9. Thunder Road Late Models, Bond Auto Tiger Sportsmen, and Allen Lumber Street Stocks will also continue championship point races. Post time is 6:30 p.m.