Sports

Next Generation Ready for Late Model Stardom

photo by Alan Ward
Williston’s Justin Prescott (04VT) and Shelburne’s Kaiden Fisher (18VT) are set to battle hard for the Late Model Rookie of the Year title at Thunder Road as the latest generation in history makers to carry on their respective fathers’ legacies.

BARRE — After cutting it up in the world-famous Flying Tiger division last summer, a pair of second-generation drivers are ready to take it to the next level as they chase a new Thunder Road title. Justin Prescott, stepson of 1999 King of the Road Brian Hoar, and Kaiden Fisher, son of 2003 King of the Road Jamie Fisher, and have both made it their goal to be the top rookie in the ultra-competitive Late Model class in 2023.

Justin Prescott had a stellar season in 2022, taking his first Flying Tiger win last April on opening day of his sophomore season. He used that momentum to stay inside the top-three leader board all season long before coming home in a tie for second-overall with Triple Crown champion Derrick Calkins. Prescott will pilot the Arny Hill #04VT Chevrolet after getting his first taste with Hill at White Mountain Motorsports Park last September and is enthusiastic to start the season.

“I’m definitely looking forward to the challenges of the next level,” said Prescott. “The competitiveness and prestige of the Late Model division is something I’ve always admired so I’m just flat-out excited for this opportunity that Arny has given me and I’m looking forward to making the most of it.” Along with learning the ropes in the ultra-competitive division, Prescott will also be fending off a season-long storm in his search for the rookie title.

“Tropical Storm” Kaiden Fisher has also stated his intention to chase the Thunder Road rookie honors as the next in his family to climb aboard a Late Model. Following his championship-winning father “The Hurricane” Jamie Fisher, American-Canadian Tour winning Uncles Chris and Steve and with help from wrench-turning Uncle Peter, young Kaiden Fisher has already proven his power on track. Kaiden Fisher took down two Flying Tiger wins in his rookie bid last season, coming off a stellar Street Stock season that saw the young ace take the four-cylinder championship.

As in the past, Fisher remains quietly confident. “We plan on running for the title and Rookie of the Year at Thunder Road and the American-Canadian Tour events at the Road as well,” said Fisher. “If time allows, we might possibly make it to a few more ACT Tour and White Mountain Motorsports Park events too but we’ll see.” After a third-place qualifying effort and a sixth-place finish in his first Vermont Milk Bowl presented by Northfield Savings Bank last October, it’s easy to understand where that coolheaded confidence comes from.

Although Thunder Road opens it’s gates for a double-shot of lid-lifting action that includes the American-Canadian Tour and Pro All Stars Series on May 6 and May 7, the Late Model season starts in earnest with the Memorial Day Classic 125 on Sunday, May 28. The Memorial Day Classic will once again feature the Monaco Modified Tri-Track Series with their $10,000-to-Win Granite City 100 set to feature the top Tour-type Modified talent in the Northeast.

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