Tanner Woodard prepares to race during Thunder Road's opening weekend

18-year-old Tanner Woodard enters his first season on the American-Canadian Tour

18-year-old Tanner Woodard enters his first season on the American-Canadian Tour

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18-year-old Tanner Woodard enters his first season on the American-Canadian Tour

If you talk to the drivers at Thunder Road Speedbowl, many of the teams are a true family affair.

That's the case for Tanner Woodard, who, at 18 years old is making his return to Thunder Road on May 7 in his rookie season, where he will be racing in the American-Canadian tour.

"I feel like being young doesn't really affect me," said Woodard, who began racing in go-karts as a teenager. Now, he's manning the number 68 car and racing against some of the very best drivers in the region.

In his first race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in April, Woodard finished in eighth. That was ahead of names like Jason Corliss, who has won three consecutive Governor's Cups at Thunder Road.

It's an impressive feat, and he's doing it with the help of his family. His sister acts as the team manager, and his Dad, Jason, delivers the years of wisdom he has collected as a racer himself.

"We've worked hard as a family," said Tanner's dad. "Some days are better than others. We have to finish these cars and produce a good product."

While he's competed at Thunder Road in previous years, May 7 will be the first time Tanner, a Waterbury Center resident, hits the track on the ACT Tour. It'll be the first of a handful of appearances at the track as he hunts for a podium finish in Barre.

"None of the local guys are usually the ones to win the big ACT races, so it means a lot no matter what race you win," said Woodard. "Being [at] a home track, it means even more."

You can find a full opening weekend schedule for Thunder Road here.