For the first time in a decade, a female competitor will compete in the Late Model championship division at Barre’s Thunder Road International Speedbowl.
Taylor Hoar will make the jump to the highest level of competition the track has to offer with a groundbreaking partnership with locally revered financial institution NEFCU/VSECU, making a charge at becoming the track’s first ever female Late Model Rookie of the Year.
“I’m super humbled and honored that NEFCU would choose me to join this journey with them. This is a really great opportunity for us both, as we are both embarking on new journeys this year. I am already having so much fun with this partnership, everyone on their team is so excited and supportive, I can tell this is going to be a great partnership between our teams. I’m just so thankful and blessed for this opportunity, it really means a lot for them to believe in me and want to be a big part of my late model journey.” Hoar said.
Sarah Ricker, Community Relationship Manager at NEFCU/VSECU shared that sentiment. “NEFCU and VSECU, a division of New England Federal Credit Union, are so excited to sponsor Taylor, one of the up-and-coming drivers on this iconic short track.” Ricker said. "We can't wait to see what she does this season as the first female driver to compete for Late Model Rookie of the Year in the track’s history”
Taylor’s efforts in the #48VT SRT Motorsports entry will be aided by the return of legendary car owner, crew chief, and engine builder Rick Paya as Crew Chief.
“Having Rick Paya come out of retirement to take on me as a rookie and be my full time crew chief, is something I never imagined would happen. Ricky has accomplished a lot of amazing things in his career and especially with my dad, I’m really excited to see what we can do and learn together. It’s pretty full circle for our two families, growing up, his wife Michelle was a second mom and sons Tyler and Cory were some added brothers, so I know this is pretty cool for us all.” She continued.
As earlier stated, Taylor will join the short list of talented females to compete at Thunder Road’s highest level, following in the footsteps of legends of the track like 2000 “Queen of the Road” Tracie Bellerose.
“Tracie was ahead of the times, it’s really cool to even be mentioned in the same sentence as her. She was quite legendary.” Hoar said. “I’m really excited to follow in her footsteps at the high banks, it means a lot to me to be a role model for other girls in and out of the motorsports world.”
Follow Taylor’s groundbreaking rookie season by following SRT Motorsports on Facebook, and @taylorhoarracing on Instagram and Facebook.
To learn more about NEFCU/VSECU, visit their websites NEFCU.com or VSECU.com, and on social media New England Federal Credit Union and VSECU
Images courtesy Taylor Hoar Racing
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