Ken Squier Celebration of Life set for May 4 at Thunder Road

March 14, 2024  |  By Waterbury Roundabout 

A meeting of Thunder Road and Vermont state government officials with representatives of the Squier family has resulted in planning for the Kenley Dean Extravaganza – A Celebration of Life honoring Thunder Road International Speedbowl founder Ken Squier on Saturday, May 4. 

The event will begin at noon at Thunder Road in Barre with the annual Thunder Road car show starting the day’s schedule at 9 a.m. 

Details including participants for a panel discussion are in the planning stages and all involved with organizing “agreed that this is meant to be an extravaganza to celebrate a one-of-a-kind life,” according to an announcement on Wednesday from Thunder Road. 

“This is truly a celebration of Ken. Although we were, and are, saddened by his loss, we also all know that he wouldn’t stand for some somber, black-suit get-together,” commented Thunder Road announcer David Moody.

Kenley Dean Squier, founder of Thunder Road, longtime NASCAR announcer and owner of WDEV Radio Vermont Group, passed away in November at the age of 88. 

“One of the things we all agreed on is this will certainly be a celebration, a time to tell our favorite Ken stories and a time to remember all that he has done for our state and, of course, the sport of stock car racing,” said race car driver and Vermont Governor Phil Scott. 

The first weekend in May is the typical opening for racing season at Thunder Road. The schedule on Saturday, May 4, will start at 7 a.m. with the pit gate opening for Thunder Road and American-Canadian Tour teams for car show set-up. Gates will open at 9 a.m. for spectators with the Kenley Dean Extravaganza starting at noon. The day’s events are open to the general public and admission will be free. Practice for Thunder Road opening weekend divisions will take place following the services.

Racing begins on Sunday, May 5, with the 26th annual Community Bank 150 for the American-Canadian Tour. Sunday’s track championship action for the Lenny’s Shoe & Apparel Flying Tigers and rk Miles Street Stocks alongside the Burnett Scrap Metals Road Warriors kick off the raceway’s 65th season.

For more information and details as they are arranged, check online at thunderroadvt.com and Thunder Road’s social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram and X (formerly Twitter) at @ThunderRoadVT.