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!