2012 NASCAR Cup Series champion Brad Keselowski will face a tough task when he rolls into Thunder Road Speedbowl for Thursday night's 43rd Vermont Governor's Cup. Awaiting the 35-time NASCAR Cup Series winner will be a stout field of local Late Model drivers hoping to beat Keselowski and add a win in one of Thunder Road's crown jewel races to their resume. 

There's no denying that Keselowski has been one of the most talented race car drivers in the world over the last decade-plus. In addition to his championship season in 2012, he's won prestigious races like the Coca-Cola 600, Southern 500 and Brickyard 400. 

But it's been a few minutes since the RFK Racing driver/owner has been behind the wheel of a Late Model. Keselowski's last Late Model start on record dates back to 2010 when he finished 22nd in the prestigious Oxford 250 at Oxford Plains Speedway. 

While some may say it's like riding a bicycle, getting on that bicycle 12 years later and trying to go fast on a tricky race track like Thunder Road is no easy task.

NASCAR drivers competing in the Vermont Governor's Cup is nothing new. With the NASCAR Cup Series visiting the New England region for Sunday's race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, the traditional Thursday night event at Thunder Road has become a popular stop for many of the sport's biggest stars. 

However, none of the previous invaders have been able to sniff victory lane or record a top-five finish against the tough competition that competes regularly at the Barre, Vermont oval. 

One year ago, Ryan Preece contended for a top-five finish before finishing 10th. Kyle Busch was running sixth in the 2020 version of the race before making contact with the frontstretch wall and retiring from the event early. Christopher Bell (9th in 2019), Clint Bowyer (14th in 2014) and Tony Stewart (16th in 2009) have also left Thunder Road empty handed. 

You can attribute the NASCAR stars' lack of success to two factors: the stout field of local racers and the difficulty of mastering the track known as "The Nation's Site of Excitement." 

VIDEO: The "widowmaker" at Thunder Road presents a tough challenge for locals and invaders. 

Since New Hampshire native Joey Polewarczyk Jr. won the Vermont Governor's Cup in 2009, no driver from outside the state of Vermont has won the race. Additionally, seven of the last 13 race winners call Barre, Vermont -- the city the track is located in -- their hometown. 

Defending "King of the Road" Jason Corliss enters Thursday's race seeking his third consecutive Governor's Cup win. He'll be joined by former Thunder Road track champions Derrick O'Donnell and Scott Dragon, Memorial Day Classic winner Stephen Donahue, current points leader Cristopher Pelkey and recent American-Canadian Tour winner Marcel Gravel. 

Former NASCAR Truck Series winner Raphael Lessard is also entered in the always-fast No. 48 Larue Brothers entry. 

Oh, did we mention the current Governor of Vermont will also be racing? Phil Scott, the track's all-time winningest Late Model driver, will be in action while also participating in the festivities associated with the Governor's Cup. 

A NASCAR Cup Series champion, the Governor of Vermont and a full field of Late Model drivers. What more could you ask for on a Thursday night in Vermont? 

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