5/6/2015
Ray Parent
Staying Home...
Most weekends Ray Parent and the Amtrol Ford Fusion Team are found hours from home competing with the American Canadian Tour. The Vermont based series has limited events even within a two hour radius of the Tiverton, RI native.
Choosing to compete in his own back yard this past weekend proved to be fruitful as the 17RI machine earned back-to-back top-5 finishes; one of them a victory at his home track of Seakonk Speedway in Seakonk, MA.
Parent who intended to compete full time with the ACT Series in 2015 was left out in the cold when lack of melting snow postponed the series opening event at Lee USA Speedway two weeks from its original date; creating conflicting schedules for his Team.
"We had every intention to race at Lee (USA Speedway)," stated Parent. "You can't control the weather and the Lee was rescheduled and we just had prior commitments. You can't miss a race and expect to run for a championship with ACT. It’s hard enough to even finish top-10 each race and compete... The series is so competitive."
After missing one event the decision to compete closer to home as round #3 approached with a five hour travel time and a two day event at the famed Thunder Road Speedbowl in Barre, VT was easy.
"We love racing at Thunder Road (Speedbowl),' stated Parent." There is so much history and tradition at that track. It’s been dream of mine to win there... But it made sense to compete locally after not being able to be there on Saturday; Amtrol is based not far from both of these tracks [New London-Waterford Speedbowl and Seakonk Speedway]. We had Amtrol employees in attendance at both tracks. We have to support the people that support us."
Saturday night Parent piloted an ill handling familiar red and yellow machine to a fourth place finish at the newly reopened New London, CT oval, New London-Waterford Speedbowl. Battling tire issues throughout the night Parent was happy with the effort by the Team.
"I'm proud of the Team for working hard," stated Parent. "The track didn't have any tire inventory... The lefts were bigger than the rights we fought that most of the night. Forth was a good finish after how the car handled."
As Sunday approached Parent had no intentions in competing opening day at Seakonk Speedway. In fact it was 9:30 in the morning, 30-minutes before scheduled practice time when Parent’s son Raymond Jr. convinced his father they should go.
"I thought that’s crazy," stated Parent. "We argued about it, we didn't get home from Waterford till 1:30 last night…
Parent's last minute decision was a good one. He would lead all 30-laps in the Nascar Whelen All-American event; besting a field of 25 cars strong.
"It feels great to win in front of my family, friends, our sponsors,” stated Parent. “Racing with the Tour is great but most of the time it’s so far away all the people that support us don't get to see it. We really wanted to be in Vermont today… But this makes you realize this was the right decision to stay close to home. I'm glad Raymond Jr. talked us into it."
Parent says because of the parity with the American Canadian Tour type late models it allows him to compete at multiple tracks; giving him options every weekend.
"I can't say enough about this type of racing. We can race at three different tracks all within an hour-an-a-half of my house. We can head up to Claremont (New Hampshire) if we wanted to on a Friday or race with the Tour. That’s why we run this type of car, it gives options to compete and support our local sponsors, then go run in some of the big races like Loudon and the International 500 in New York."
Parent says missing the ACT event at Lee USA Speedway may turn out to be the best disappointing decision they made this year.
"I think it refocused our plans," stated Parent. "Raymond Jr. is competing in the Amtrol Legend car this year and being able to race at tracks that are close to home when he's racing is what's important... Family is what's important. We'll still run with the [ACT] Tour regularly. But i think overall this worked out for the best for our Team. It’s funny how things just work out sometimes..."
Next Event
What: The Spring Green 115
Where: Airborne International Speedway - Plattsburgh, NY
When: Saturday May 16, 2015 - 2:00pm
Ray and the Amtrol Racing Team would like to thank their proud partners in 2015: Amtrol • Carlin Combustion Technology • HydroLevel • Distinctive Auto Body • Phoenix Builders • Bayside Auto Center • Bobs Sea and Ski • Dan Davies Sales • Dominator Diesel • Five Star Bodies • Longacre Racing Products • Hedman Hedders • Ford Racing • Welded Media
Michael Rothwell Photo
Article Credit: Jason Lubin / Welded Media
Submitted By: Jason Lubin
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