VERMONT SPORTS HALL OF FAME

Courtesy: Amy Streeter

Shelburne

Auto Racing (stock car)

Inducted 2024

Kevin Lepage is the only Vermont-born stock car driver to compete at the highest levels of NASCAR racing and only one of now five New Englanders to achieve that success. He raced in NASCAR’s Winston Cup series, the major leagues of stock car racing, for 13 years starting in October 1997.

Lepage had a very successful run on short track in Vermont and New England, including Barre’s Thunder Road, where he won three Milk Bowls (1985, 1989, 1993), one of the country’s toughest short-track races. He competed on the American-Canadian Tour for 13 years (1980-93) with 11 career wins. Lepage also competed on the NASCAR North tour. In 1994, he left Vermont for the NASCAR Xfinity circuit competing in 350 races with 19 top 5s, 51 top 10s and posting two wins at Homestead (Fla.) and Bristol (N.C.) on NASCAR’s second-level tour. His win at Homestead in 1996 was broadcast nationally with VSHOF inductee Ken Squier on the call for CBS. 

His strong performances earned him the move up to the prestigious Winston Cup series. He ran for 13 years in 201 races, compiled two Top 5s and nine top 10s and earned one pole.  In his first full season in 1998 he qualified for 27 of the 33 races he entered. His best season was 1999 when he placed 25th overall.  

He retired by fulfilling his vow that his final race would be in Vermont. It was, the 2017 Milk Bowl, in honor of his Vermont heritage. 

In 1999, Sports Illustrated selected Lepage as one of the Top 50 Vermont athletes of the 20th Century ranking 47th among the Top 50 Vermonters.