BARRE, Vt. -- Thunder Road officials have announced that the 50th Annual People’s United Bank Milk Bowl on Sunday, September 30th, will boast winnings exceeding $100,000 for competitors at “The Nation’s Site of Excitement.” It is the highest purse ever posted for the event deemed the “Toughest Short Track Race in America”.

The season-ending event for Barre’s Thunder Road has long been a marquee for Northeast Auto Racing, but the 50th anniversary will be even more special. The weekend will include a “Reserve Milk Bowl” for up to thirty competitors who do not qualify for the 50th People’s United Bank Milk Bowl. It will be comprised of a two-segment feature event, as well as a $20,000 purse of its own, with $3,000 going to the winner.

Long time track promoter Tom Curley feels the 50th anniversary is well worth it. “For over 50 years Thunder Road’s Milk Bowl has garnered a reputation for racers and fans as one of the most difficult and competitive races in North America,” said Curley. “To celebrate the 50th running of this event, we felt it was appropriate to raise the stakes and offer anybody who wants to enter an opportunity to race that weekend. The “Reserve Milk Bowl”, with a purse of over $20,000, will give everybody that opportunity,’” he finished.

The drivers were ecstatic to be racing for the most money in Milk Bowl history.

“Wow, that’s just awesome,” remarked 2011 Milk Bowl Champion Brian Hoar. “Most big races for other series are around that $20,000 mark. Man, this is what it’s all about!”

2008 Track Champion Eric Williams was also taken back. “Whoa, that certainly makes it worth my while,” he grinned.

Even Lt. Governor Phil Scott got in on the action saying, “That’s some extra incentive for sure. It really doesn’t get much better than that, everyone is going to want to run it!”

The 50th Annual People’s United Bank Milk Bowl kicks off with qualifying on Saturday, September 29, and will begin with a 1:00pm post time on Sunday, September 30.

For additional information head to www.thunderroadspeedbowl.com, or contact our office at (802_ 244-6963 or media@acttour.com