Story By: WHITE MOUNTAIN MOTORSPORTS PARK – NORTH WOODSTOCK, NH – Following a stellar turn-out of over eighty cars on open practice day last Saturday, both White Mountain Motorsports Park officials and the folks at HK Powersports of Hooksett and Laconia are eagerly anticipating the 32nd annual opening weekend at New Hampshire’s Favorite Short Track!
Ten divisions will be on hand over the two-day spectacular to help open the season with plenty of Thunder in the Mountains in North Woodstock, New Hampshire!
Last Saturday, veterans Quinny Welch, Stacy Cahoon and Oren Remick put some blistering fast-times on the board but the sessions also showed a slew of growing talent in the Foley Oil & Propane Late Models. Tanner Woodard sat in the top three through all four practice periods with fellow young-gun Kyle Goodbout also showing strong and consistent speeds. With twenty Late Models showing up on practice day, there’s sure to be plenty of action this summer starting on HK Powersports Opening Day!
Likewise, the Fisher Auto Parts Flying Tigers and Woodsville Guaranty Savings Bank Strictly Minis also look poised for strong opening weekend competition with returning veterans and young stars dotting their respective rosters. McKenna Merchant would love nothing more than to go back-to-back after taking her first career Strictly Mini win on championship night last September and looks to nab the opening day trophy this Saturday. Defending Tiger champion Brandon Gray would also love to visit opening weekend victory lane but with Sunday’s season debut also counting towards both the Central Asphalt Paving Triple Crown AND the ACT Flying Tiger Tri-State Series, Gray is sure to have his hands full!
Saturday’s HK Powersports season opener will also include the Wayne’s Market Dwarf Cars, Ammonoosuc Asphalt Mini Late Models and the Dad’s 4 By Tool & Supply Kid’s Division. The Kids were most impressive on Practice Day with an ever-growing field of future stars joining the division, many turning their first laps behind the wheel and already showing improvement after four short practice sessions! Saturday also includes a 75-lap visit from the R&R Race Parts Street Stock Open Series with drivers from across New England making the trip to prepare for September’s annual 100 lap, $5,000 to win event!
Sunday’s spectacle is headlined by the Pro All Stars Series (PASS) Super Late Models in the first of three visits for the Maine-based series at White Mountain. Fan-favorites like D.J. Shaw, Gabe Brown, Johnny Clark, Joey Doiron and Trevor Sanborn all looking for the White Mountain win on Sunday! The New England Supermodified Series (NESS) will also be on hand to kick-off their 2024 season with Ben Seitz, Jim Storace and Russ Wood among those looking to tackle defending champ Dan Bowles! Not to be out-done, the PASS Modifieds and Flying Tigers will also be on hand to complete the exciting Sunday showdown!
Thunder in the Mountains returns for the 2024 season on HK Powersports Opening Day, Saturday, May 18 starting with the annual Car Show from 10am to 12:00-noon. The Late Models, Strictly Minis, Dwarf Cars, Kids Division, Mini Late Models and the R&R Street Stock Open Series will kick off the 2024 season with racing starting at 6:00pm. While the Car Show is free, general admission for the race is set at $15 for adults, $5 for kids 12-6 with children 5 and under always free! The Family Four Pack (two adults, two kids) is also available for $30.
Opening weekend also features the Pro All Stars Series doubleheader on Sunday, May 19 headlined by the PASS 150 for the Super Late Models along with the New England Supermodified Series, PASS Modifieds and the first leg of the all-new ACT Tri-State Flying Tiger Series! Post Time Sunday is set for 2:00pm with adult general admission set at $25, kids 12-6 for $10 and children 5 and under free! The Family Four Pack will also be available for $50 on Sunday.