Frechette Wins a Battle and the War to become
Moonlight Physician’s Network Chase Champion
The ProTruck Series ends every season with a Chase weekend. A playoff format determines the season’s ProTruck Challenge Champion. This season 18 ProTrucks headed to Hudson International Speedway. Two 35 lap races were on the schedule. Amidst the full field of ProTrucks, 8 drivers had earned their way into the playoffs. In just a few hours, one team prevailed as the 2024 Champion.
Race one result splits the field. Four drivers qualify for the final four. Those final four teams lock in first through fourth position in the Championship depending on their finishing order in relation to each other in Chase race two. The remaining Elite Eight drivers lock in to 5th through 8th.
When Nikolas Frechette entered the Chase Weekend at Hudson International Speedway, many overlooked him as a Championship Playoff favorite however, he had proven to be fast in the spring event. Despite being an underdog, Frechette put his number 11 Silverado in Victory Lane in Chase race 1. It was his first ProTruck Touring Victory. In the final race, a green- white- checkered finish provided all the opportunity he needed to win it all. He moved the 94 of Jason Paquette on the last lap and went on to secure his first Championship.
Race 1 recap:
Team trucks -72 Ryan Kuhn and 32 Randy Burr topped the boards in qualifying with identical times of 14.310 seconds. Ryan Kuhn was awarded the Wasco Pole Position bonus of $100. After the top 6 qualifying redraw the 1 of Dennis Charette was awarded the pole position. Charette led the early laps.
Caution lap 3: Spin by Chase Driver/Race favorite Duane Noll. Noll had won the spring event at Hudson. Restart lap 6 with Charette-Kuhn-Burr-Ouellette-Paquette-and Frechette
Caution Lap 8: Mercedes Caron Single Truck Spin. Kuhn to pit row for engine issue.
Restart 1Charette, 32 Burr, 94 Paquette, 151 Ouellette, 27 Caron, 11 Frechette. 72 Kuhn returns after losing 2 laps.
Caution lap19: Leaders Charette and Burr tangle entering turn 3. 151 Bert Ouellette was also gathered up in the incident. Restart top 4: 94 Paquette, 11 Frechette, 27 Caron, 47 Taylor, all Chase drivers.
Caution Lap 25: 11 Frechette is the leader. 29 Stringer hood flies open to bring out caution
Lap 30: Restart top 5 11 Frechette, 94 Paquette, 27 Caron, 47 Taylor and 20 Heilbron. Top 4 are all Chase contenders.
Lap 32: 2 Duane Noll pulls into the infield when hood. 11 Frechette leading 27 Sean Caron, 94 Jason Paquette and Todd Taylor
Checkered flag: 11 Frechette gets first ProTruck Touring Victory. 2nd: 94 Jason Paquette 3rd: 27 Sean Caron 4th: 47 Todd Taylor. Those top 4 are the Chase finalist for the top 4 spots in points. 20 Ethan Heilbron scores top 5 in his first ever ProTruck start. 0 Lucas Leone drives through the field to 6th as he returns to the series for a race.
Nikolas Frechette is presented with a special trophy remembering Cindy Burdick, Harold Churchill and Terri Churchill. The race was dedicated to the memory of all three.
Official Race Results: 1st-11 Nikolas Frechette, 2nd-94 Jason Paquette, 3rd-27 Sean Caron, 4th-47 Todd Taylor,
5th- 20 Ethan Heilbron, 6th-0 Lucas Leone, 7th-14 Damian Palardy, 8th-151 Bert Ouellette, 9th-32 Randy Burr,
10th-1 Dennis Charrette, 11th-78 Danny Thibeault, 12th-52 Mercedes Caron, 13th-5 Chris Taylor, 14th-42 Chris Palamar, 15th-25 Dave Venice, 16th-29 Josh Stringer, 17th-72 Ryan Kuhn ,18th-2 Duane Noll
Race 2 Recap: The Chase Race
11 Frechette, 94 Jason Paquette, 27 Sean Caron and 47 Todd Taylor are your final 4
42 Chris Palamar, 32 Randy Burr, 1 Dennis Charette and 2 Duane Noll are competing for points positions 5-8
The race line-up is by fast times from race 1. The top 6 redrew for starting position.
The team trucks of 72 Ryan Kuhn and 32 Randy Burr led the field to green. Kuhn led the early laps.
Lap 16: 32 Randy Burr moves under 72 Kuhn to take over the lead.
Top 4 Championship Chase contenders- 11 Frechette in 3rd, 94 Paquette in 4th, 47 Todd Taylor 9th and 27 Sean Caron 10th
Lap 27 Championship Lead Change: 94 Jason Paquette moves under 11 Nikolas Frechette to lead in Championship standings.
Lap 28 Caution: 5 Chris Taylor spin
Lap 30 restart: 32 Randy Burr and #72 Ryan Kuhn restart in row 1. Row 2 -Chase contenders 94 Paquette and 11 Frechette 9th is Chase contender 47 Todd Taylor. 14th is the final Chase Championship contender 27 Sean Caron
Lap 33 Caution : 29 Stringer stopped on backstretch to set up green white checker finish
Lap 34 restart: Big Orange teammates 32 Randy Burr and 72 Ryan Kuhn are in the front row.
Inside nose to tailgate are the top 3 Chase Championship contenders of 94 Paquette, 11 Nikolas Frechette and 47 Todd Taylor
Lap 34: Entering turn 3 Big Orange 32 leads, 72 second. 11 Nikolas Frechette moves the 94 of Paquette into the top groove in turns three and 4.
White Flag -Championship Lead Change: Entering turn 1 the 11 of Frechette noses under 94 Paquette. Frechette takes over the top spot in the playoff.
Checkered Flag: Big Orange fills victory lane up with 32 Randy Burr first and 72 Ryan Kuhn second. Nikolas Frechette finishes 3rd in the race. He finishes first of the playoff ProTrucks and is your 2024 ProTruck Champion. The 1 of Dennis Charette finished 4th. 94 Jason Paquette rounded out the top 5.
Official Championship Chase Playoff Race 2 Results :
1st-Randy Burr, 2nd-Ryan Kuhn, 3rd-11 Nikola Frechette, 4th-1 Dennis Charette, 5th-94 Jason Paquette, 6th-2 Duane Noll, 7th-151 Bert Ouellette, 8th-42 Chris Palamar9th-47 Todd Taylor, 10th-14 Damian Palardy, 11th 20 Ethan Heilbron, 12th-29 Josh Stringer, 13th Danny Thibeault, 14th-27 Sean Caron, 15th-0 Lucas Leone, 16th-Mercedes Caron, 17th Dave Venice, 18th-5 Chris Taylor
The Final Championship Standings for the 2024 ProTruck Challenge
1st: Nikolas Frechette
2nd: Jason Paquette
3rd: Todd Taylor
4th; Sean Caron
5th: Randy Burr
6th Dennis Charette
7th Chris Palamar
8th Duane Noll
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The $10,000 ProTruck Challenge Playoff race is this Sunday at Hudson Speedway! This is an unbelievable short track event. The yearly “Run What You Brung” race and the R&R Street Stock open are also on the race schedule.
The ProTruck teams will compete in two races. Teams not involved in the actual playoff that are entered with just winning on their minds include 52 Mercedes Caron, 5 Chris Taylor, 14 Damian Palardy ,29 Josh Stringer, 20 Ethan Heilborn, 78 Danny Thibeault, 151 Bert Ouelette and David Venice.
Ryan Kuhn will not be battling in the Championship, but he will be there trying to sweep both events in his Big Orange #72 F-150. He has found Victory Lane in two of the last three and is certainly a favorite heading into Hudson.
Eight teams will fight to get their share of the $10,000 put up by Moonlight Physicians Network and Hoosier Tires East.
Race 1 will divide the 8 playoff contenders into those competing for 5th thru 8th in the points and the final top 4.
Race 2 will decide the Championship. Wherever these teams finish in relation to each other will determine their final position in points for the season.
Teams in the final 4, can finish no worse than 4th in the standings. Finish 1st and that team is the 2024 ProTruck Champion. 1st in the Championship pays $5000. Positions 2 through 8 will divide up the other half of the $10,000.
There are two trucks that emerge as the favorites to win it all. #32, Randy Burr is the defending Champ. This team has momentum. Randy wrapped up the regular season points Championship at Thompson. He has won at Hudson before and has repeating as the Challenge Champion on his mind. #2 Duane Noll is also a former ProTruck Champion. His truck was untouchable in the spring race here. He has had his sights on winning this event since last year when a mechanical failure foiled his efforts in the 2023 Championship finale.
Todd Taylor’s 47 team will be looking for the upset. They excel on banked 1/4-mile ovals. Taylor demonstrated this by sweeping both races at Monadnock this year. He has three wins this season. Todd was barely edged out in the regular season Championship and finished second.
A driver that quietly has become a weekly threat to win is #94 Jason Paquette. The leading rookie driver sits 3rd in points. He has a great crew. Coupling his first ProTruck win with a Championship is the plan. They are locked and loaded to win it all.
Sophomore driver #11 Nikolas Frechette may surprise everyone. He has been strong all season. His strongest performance was the opener at Hudson. Could Sunday’s events be a first win / first Championship walk-off home run performance? It definitely could happen.
The 42 team with rookie Chris Palamar is considered by many to be a long shot. Can he win it all from 6th in points? Yes he can. He has been fast everywhere and runs exceptionally well at banked tracks. One thing is for sure. Chris will be giving 110%.
A surprise in the top 8 is the guy we know as “Mad Money” Sean Caron. Sean did not have a truck at Thompson Speedway’s Ice Breaker however a bit of luck went his way, and rain postponed the event. They were ready when the series headed to Waterford for what ended up being the series opener. This team improved weekly and scored a podium finish at Lee USA Speedway’s Oktoberfest. Can the stars line up and give this veteran driver a Championship? Don’t be surprised.
Our final team in the hunt for the championship is the 1 of Dennis Charette This team had a miserable start at Waterford. Solid performances allowed the Lucas Leone Racing Silverado to claw its way through the standings and into the playoff. Leon’s bunch historically performs well at Hudson. This is definitely another entry that can certainly win it all.
The group of eight teams is rated as the best ever to collectively compete in a ProTruck Chase Race. Be there if you can. If not, follow all of the action at Hudson Speedway Sunday through racetv.com.
The ProTruck Teams head to Lee New Hampshire as part of Oktoberfest honoring Russ Conway October 5th. Russ was the ultimate promoter, and certainly would have enjoyed the competitive atmosphere that comes with the challenge of making the Elite 8. Every team out there wants to be included in the playoffs. Three races remain to make the Chase.
Star Speedway’s Classic Weekend was the scene of the last battle. As the teams headed on to the speedway, safety officials spotted a trail of sparks under the front ot the #47 Silverado of points leader Todd Taylor. Taylor’s team was not able to get the 47 repaired during the pace laps. He would finish at the rear of the field after completing 20 laps. With Taylor out, the door was opened for teams to gain valuable points.
Former Champion Duane Noll started from the pole and fought off Randy Burr in his #32 in the early stages. Noll used lap traffic as a pic at times. Burr didn’t push the issue. He cruised for a bit and opted to take care of his truck and bide his time for a challenge later in the event.
Another former Champion, #90 Allen Coates and Ryan Kuhn put on side by side battle for 3rd and 4th in the early stages that had fans on their feet. At first it was Kuhn on the inside with Coates rolling the outside. Later on Coates nosed his Silverado under the 72. Coates used his inside position to clear the Orange Ford F-150. Kuhn immediately crossed back under on the backstretch and the two battled again side by side.
The first caution of the evening was on lap 35 when the 151 of Howard Payne spun. The #11 of Nikolas Frechette had slight contact and moved to the rear of the field.
The restart featured a front row of Noll and Burr. Kuhn lined up behind Noll with Coates to his outside. The 42 Silverado of Chris Palamar rounded out the top five. When the green waived, Noll established himself in the front of the field. Behind Noll the Orange Trucks fought for second. Coates was stalking to take on the loser of that battle. Chris Palamar lost traction exiting turn four and spun to the infield. The second and final caution of the field was put out by flagman Steve Gran.
Eight laps remained in the event as Noll brought around the field for the restart. This time it was the 72 of Kuhn to his outside. Burr and Coates made up row two. The 1 of Dennis Charette had fought his way back into the top five. “Mad Money” Sean Caron lined up outside of Charette.
Noll was able to hold off Kuhn who now was challenged by his teammate Randy Burr. The Orange trucks battled side by side for second. Burr lost a bit of traction exiting turn four. This was all Kuhn needed to take over second on his own.
With just two laps remaining, Kuhn caught and moved under the 2 Silverado on the back stretch. Noll blocked the low move. Unfortunately, the low positioning entering turn three combined with some minor contact caused Noll to slide up and leave the low groove open. Kuhn took advantage and powered by coming to the white flag. At the finish it was the two orange trucks in first and second. Noll would have to settle for third. Coates finished in the fourth spot. The 1 of Dennis Charette rounded out the top five.
Ryan Kuhn’s win was worth $2100 dollars as he headed to the payout window with the $1000 to win plus contingencies. Taylor Lawn Care and Karn’s automotive paid $600 dollars for the fast time in the event. He pocketed $400 from Evolve Mortgage. This was his first ProTruck touring win. He had the fast time in qualifying which earned another $100 from Wasco Welding and Machine Supply.
Sean Caron also benefitted from the contingency programs these teams race for weekly. Caron was able to pocket an extra $200 dollars at Star for improving the most positions. He was the NorthEast Truck & Off Road Hard Charger of the event.
The points battle heated up considerably. Randy Burr was able to close to within 6 points of Todd Taylor. Last years regular season points Champion Nikolas Frechette is still in the hunt to repeat in third. Rookie of the Year points leader Jason Paquette continues to build momentum with strong outings . He is in forth. Noll rounds out the top five. Chris Palamar is in a pretty secure spot in 6th. Dennis Charette used his strong run to finally get the 1ne team into the top eight.
Mercedes Caron had her Silverado catch fire during the event. Despite dropping out early at Star, she still holds down the final playoff berth. The battle for that final few playoff spots is a good one. Mercedes Caron in the 52, Chris Taylor in the 5 and Sean Caron in the 27 are all within 6 points. Howard Payne’s 151 team is also within striking distance.
The pressure to make the Chase is on. Catch all the action as at Lee USA Speedway Saturday October 5th as these teams fight for their share of the $10,000 ProTruck Challege.
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The ProTruck Teams are on August break. Most are preparing for a heated playoff run that gets underway September 13th at Star. The schedule visits Lee Speedway for Oktoberfest after Star. The final regular season race will be held at Thompson. The “Elite EIght” teams will be decided by points standings. Those eight will divide the $10,000 purse. The Chase Champion will take home $5000 for first. Which team should fans have their eyes on for this years $10,000 Chase. Lets look back at the season so far.
Through the first half of 2024 Todd Taylor and his 47 team have dominated the competition with back-to-back wins at Monadnock and a home track victory at the SpeedBowl’s Blast-Off season opening event. For Taylor last season was loaded with close finishes in points and races, but the top spot seemed to slip away by the slimmest of margins. Times have changed. What is it like to win three of the first four events.
“Still waiting to be pinched and wake up. Its like this is a dream” says Taylor. The effort is truly accomplished by family and friends. Certainly the team will cruise into the playoff for they have a comfortable lead in the points. The Championship is decided at Hudson Speedway on October 27th. Rumors are the team is using the break to find even more speed. Certainly the 47 team of Todd Taylor has to be considered as a favorite for the Championship.
Currently two drivers are tied for second in the standings. Veteran, #32 Randy Burr has the “Orange Truck” contending at every event. Last season’s Rookie of the Year Nikolas Frechette had his #11 Silverado flying. The Championship is decided in a Chase Race at Hudson. These two teams swapped positions with every restart in the spring event. They finished second and third respectively. Burr is the reigning Champion and has no intention of letting go of the title. Frechette is hungry for his first win. Both join Taylor on the favorites list.
Nine Rookie drivers have competed in this year’s ProTruck Challenge in 2024. Leading the field is the 94 of Jason Paquette. He has three top fives in the first 4 events. His veteran crew tweaks out a little more speed with each race. At the break he is forth in points and is projected to make the playoffs.
Former Champion, #2 Duane Noll looked unbeatable at the SpeedBowl’s opener until a late race tangle foiled what looked to be a sure win. Noll regrouped and won the Hudson event. A brush with the wall set the team back at Monadnock. Noll is fifth in points at the break. He should find his way into the playoffs. The team’s performance at Hudson’s spring event placed the 2 team as the team to beat for the Chase Championship.
Chris Palamar is another rookie driver turning heads. His #42 Silverado is as good looking as it is fast. He was able to finish on the podium in the opener, and is 6th in points at the break. Steady performances going forward are all that is needed to snag a playoff spot. Most have Palamar projected to make the playoffs.
Mercedes Caron may have been an underdog to make the playoffs pre season, but if the playoffs were starting today, the rookie driver of the #52 Silverado would be in. She is currently 7th in points. Can she stay there? Maybe. She has made very few errors and produced good finishes.
Holding on to the eight playoff spot is #5 Chris Taylor. His Silverado has not performed to his expectations. The team is using the break to sort out chassis issues.
There are four teams in striking distance of the playoffs. They are #1 Dennis Charette , #27 Sean Caron, #29 Josh Stringer and #151 Howard Payne. Each is capable of making up any points deficit they trail by at this point of the season.
One thing is for sure. These teams will do whatever it takes to make the Chase. The ProTruck Challenge gets back underway Friday the 13th at Star Speedway. Be there if you can!