Nick Sweet Wins Duel With Derrick O'Donnell for Record-Tying Vermont Governor's Cup Triumph

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

 

Barre, VT – Barre's Nick Sweet came out on top of a battle with Thunder Road Late Model point leader and fellow two-time “King of the Road” Derrick O'Donnell to with his fourth VP Fuels Vermont Governor's Cup 150 on Thursday, July 9.

 



Vermont Gov. Peter Shumlin & Nick Sweet Alan Ward Photo

Sweet took the lead from N. Haverhill, NH's O'Donnell on lap 125 following the fourth and final restart after stalking him for much of the event. O'Donnell made a bid to get back around Sweet on the outside, but came under attack from polesitter Cody Blake with 10 laps remaining, allowing Sweet to drive off tothe victory. Sweet moved into a tie with Robbie Crouch for the most Vermont Governor's Cup wins of all-time.-

 

Blake muscled his way past O'Donnell for second with five laps remaining. O'Donnell finished third to unofficially retain the points lead. Brett Gervais and Scott Dragon rounded out the top-five. John Donahue, Jay Laquerre, Jason Corliss, Shawn Fleury, and Trampas Demers finished sixth through 10^th

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VERMONT GOVERNOR'S CUP 150

Pos Start Pos Driver Car # Hometown Laps

1. ( 4 ) Nick Sweet ( 88VT ) , Barre, VT , 150 Laps

2. ( 1 ) Cody Blake ( 99VT ) , Barre, VT , 150 Laps

3. ( 3 ) Derrick O'Donnell ( 60VT ) , N. Haverhill, NH , 150 Laps

4. ( 2 ) Brett Gervais ( 11NH ) , Island Pond, VT , 150 Laps

5. ( 12 ) Scott Dragon ( 16VT ) , Milton, VT , 150 Laps

6. ( 7 ) John Donahue ( 26VT ) , Graniteville, VT , 150 Laps

7. ( 6 ) Jay Laquerre ( 15VT ) , Barre, VT , 150 Laps

8. ( 9 ) Jason Corliss ( 66VT ) , Barre, VT , 150 Laps

9. ( 5 ) Shawn Fleury ( 1VT ) , Middlesex, VT , 150 Laps

10. ( 11 ) Trampas Demers ( 85VT ) , S. Burlington, VT , 150 Laps

11. ( 18 ) Emily Packard ( 9ME ) , E. Montpelier, VT , 150 Laps

12. ( 21 ) Chip Grenier ( 9VT ) , Graniteville, VT , 150 Laps

13. ( 23 ) Matt White ( 42VT ) , Northfield, VT , 150 Laps

14. ( 20 ) Mike Bailey ( 00VT ) , S. Barre, VT , 149 Laps

15. ( 17 ) Boomer Morris ( 13VT ) , Barre, VT , 149 Laps

16. ( 16 ) #Darrell Morin ( 17VT ) , Westford, VT , 149 Laps

17. ( 15 ) Tyler Cahoon ( 38VT ) , St. Johnsbury, VT , 148 Laps

18. ( 26 ) Josh Demers ( 10VT ) , Montpelier, VT , 148 Laps

19. ( 22 ) Ricky Roberts ( 3VT ) , E. Barre, VT , 148 Laps

20. ( 25 ) Scott Coburn ( 72VT ) , Barre, VT , 148 Laps

21. ( 24 ) Eric Chase ( 40VT ) , Milton, VT , 148 Laps

22. ( 27 ) Chris Riendeau ( 4NH ) , Ascutney, VT , 148 Laps

23. ( 28 ) Phil Scott ( 14VT ) , Middlesex, VT , 147 Laps

24. ( 19 ) Kyle Pembroke ( 27VT ) , Montpelier, VT , 141 Laps

25. ( 10 ) Eric Badore ( 4VT ) , Milton, VT , 122 Laps

26. ( 13 ) David Whitcomb ( 25VT ) , Essex Jct., VT , 121 Laps

27. ( 8 ) Lance Allen (18NH) , Barre, VT , 120 Laps

28. ( 14 ) Jason Allen (29VT) , Barre, VT , 73 Laps

Lap Leaders: Cody Blake, 1-17; Derrick O'Donnell, 18-124; Nick Sweet, 125-150. (2 lead changes among 3 drivers)

Time of Race: 56:25 Margin of Victory: 1.120 seconds

Cautions: 4 (Laps 15, 73, 122, 122)

Heat Winners: John Donahue, Cody Blake, Lance Allen

Consi Winners: Shawn Fleury, Trampas Demers

Source: Michael Stridsberg

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