Robbie Crouch at T.R.:

First Win in 20 Years

Late Model stock car racer Robbie Crouch of Tampa, FL added another chapter to his storied career with a 50- lap victory in the Fisher/Federated Auto Parts Trophy Dash at Barre’s Thunder Road on Friday night.

Crouch, a six-time American- Canadian Tour champion with nearly 100 feature wins to his credit, earned his first Thunder Road win since the 1988 Chittenden Bank Milk Bowl.

Crouch abruptly retired from racing midway through the 1997 season, and made a comeback last year following a bout with prostate cancer. He was inducted into the New England Auto Racing Hall of Fame in 2006.

"In all my years of racing and winning, I don’t think I’ve ever appreciated a win as much as this one," Crouch told the thousands in attendance. "Maybe the very first win back when I was a kid with long hair in the ‘70s, but this one is a close second."

Phil Scott of Montpelier raced to Crouch’s rear bumper from an eight-car length deficit during the middle of the race, and restarted alongside Crouch following the race’s final caution on lap 43. Crouch was able to hold off both Scott and sophomore competitor Chip Grenier of Graniteville, who finished a tight second and third, respectively.

Hyde Park’s Eric Williams made a major gain in the point standings with a fourth-place finish. Unofficially, Williams now leads Scott 598-569, with Michaud third at 563.

Doug Murphy of Tunbridge finished in a career-best eighth place.