
$10,000 ProTruck Challenge
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The 49th
Annual IceBreaker
set to kick-off the 2023 Season
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The Evolve Bank &
Trust Mortgage ProTrucks once again will kick off
their season at Thompson. The 49th Annual
IceBreaker's Saturday events include a 35 lap event
for the trucks. The series is proud to
be part of such a historic event.
The series will make it's way to Thompson with heavy
hearts. One of the most entertaining drivers,
Jim Boyle, was lost on February 28th.
There is no question Boyles 02 team was a favorite
both on and off the track. Boyle traveled all
over the country. If it was a big event, he
wanted to be part of it. Boyle's team started
40 events and took home the winners trophy 4 times.
He was the series most versatile driver. He
won on Devil's Bowl Vermont's Dirt, Monadnock's 1/4
mile bull ring, New Hampshire International's Magic
Mile and at Thompson's World Series. He'll always be
remembered for his Charity work. This year's
IceBreaker is dedicated to the memory of Jim Boyle.
In his honor, his family has put together a program
that allows donations. Over $2000 has been added to
the purse to make this event the best paying
ProTruck IceBreaker ever. He finished 3rd in
last season's Chase Championship. His final
race was a GoKart event at the 2022 Banquet.
He won that event . There will be other
surprises honoring Jim at Saturday's IceBreaker
event.
EXIT Realty has been the sponsor of the ProTruck
Challenge in recent years. The series had a
great pairing however 2023 has a new title sponsor.
Evolve Bank & Trust Mortgage will take over.
The new sponsor makes possible our best Chase format
ever. The Chase format has also been changed.
The ProTrucks will be part of Star Speedway's Classic
Weekend in September. The top 8 teams in points
after the Classic event will make up the Evolve
ProTruck Challenge Elite 8.
The series will return to Thompson Speedway for the
60th Annual World Series in October. At that race
the Elite 8 will compete in relation to each other.
At the end of the Thompson event, the top half of
the Elite 8 will now be the Evolve ProTruck
Challenge Final 4.
In the final event of the year, the Final 4 will again
compete in relation to each other. The team that
finish ahead of the other 3 will be the 2023 Chase
Champion.
What are the racing for?
- Positions 5-8 of the Elite 8 will
receive custom Jackets, Banners and a
check for a minimum of $250 each recognizing
their accomplishments.
- Positions 2-4 of the Final 4 will also
receive Jackets and Banners recognizing their
accomplishments. 4th place will also earn a
check for $500. 3rd in the final Chase
standings will receive $1500. 2nd will
receive $2000.
- The Champion will receive $5000.
The Total payout for the Evolve ProTruck
Challenge is a cool $10,000. This should be
our most exciting Chase season ever. Teams
only need to find a way into the top 10 in points to
get a shot at that $5000 check.
Many ProTruck Teams have already committed to the
full season. Multi-time and current Champion Gerard
Giordano Jr. is planning on defending his title.
Duane Noll is expected to make a run at yet another
ProTruck title. RJ Surdell in the Cindy
Burdick Motorsports 151 is definitely taking his
best shot. The 32 of Randy Burr is due
to win a Championship. He is a favorite.
Dennis Charette will take over the 1ne.
Certainly that truck is a threat to win any time it
runs. Todd Taylor is expected to run his
first full season on tour. The 2022 Rookie of
the Year Andy Pellegrini will be hunting for his
first win and Championship. Let's not forget
Dangerous Dave Koenig, the 2021 Champion in his 97.
There are other teams that have not committed to
competing yet, but could get off to a good start and
end up competing full time. The 64 of Devin Deshaies
is expected at Thompson. Waterford Champion
Emma Monahan could easily qualify for the Chase.
If she qualifies, she would be a favorite to win it
all. The young one, Brody Monahan has proven
to be fast. No one should overlook the 31
team. Never count out Jim Thompson. He has
finished in the top 8 in points many times. He would
be a good pick to make the Elite 8. Make the
Elite 8 and anything can happen.
The series should have a great "Rookie of the Year"
battle. Jake Vanada in the 29, RJ
Surdell in the 151, Brody Monahan in the 31 and
Nicholas Frechette in the 18 are just a few of the
expected drivers that could make this the best
Rookie of the Year battle ever.
Another feature offered all
season is the Karn's Automotive and Taylor Lawn Care
Hot Lap. That award pays $100 to the fastest
lap turned for the weekend. The lap can be
turned in qualifying or in the actual race.
The $10,000 Evolve ProTruck Challenge gets underway
April 1st at the IceBreaker. Although it is carried
on streaming services, everyone knows the truck show
is always one of the best races of the weekend.
Most races feature some tailgate banging door
slamming competition right down to the wire. It is a
race that race fans need to be there to see.
Here is a list of some of the over $2000.00 in
specialty awards offered in addition to the $1000 to
win purse for the Jim Boyle Memorial 35 lap event at
the Ice Breaker.
Lap
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Sponsor |
Position |
Amount |
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1 |
AKA Racing |
2nd |
$25.00 |
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2 |
Deanne Boyle |
3rd |
$25.00 |
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Emma Monahan Racing |
1st |
$50.00 |
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3 |
Andy Lindeman |
3rd |
$33.00 |
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Joann Alberico |
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$25.00 |
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4 |
The Barrett's |
2nd |
$25.00 |
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TBH Motorsports |
2nd |
$25.00 |
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5 |
Whitey Slaven |
5th |
$55.00 |
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TBH Motorsports |
2nd |
$25.00 |
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6 |
In Memory of John F
Carpenter |
6th |
$25.00 |
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TBH Motorsports |
2nd |
$25.00 |
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7 |
Fierce for Shannon |
7th |
$25.00 |
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8 |
Washburn Motorsports |
6th |
$50.00 |
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TBH Motorsports |
2nd |
$25.00 |
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9 |
Bob Guptil |
1 |
$25.00 |
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10 |
Bob Guptil |
1 |
$25.00 |
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11 |
Fanning Family |
1 |
$100.00 |
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Christy-Ann Lauber |
11th |
$25.00 |
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12 |
Caddick Chassis |
12th |
$25.00 |
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13 |
Dimond Racing |
10th |
$25.00 |
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14 |
Fierce for Shannon |
7th |
$25.00 |
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15 |
Cindy Burdick Motorsports |
5th |
$25.00 |
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16 |
Nicholas Hovey |
16th |
$25.00 |
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17 |
Porter Family Racing |
7th |
$25.00 |
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18 |
John & Judy Carpenter |
10th |
$25.00 |
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R&R Detailing LLC |
8th |
$25.00 |
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19 |
Kyle Gero |
2nd |
$25.00 |
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20 |
Deshaies Motorsports |
2nd |
$25.00 |
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21 |
Fierce for Shannon |
7th |
$25.00 |
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22 |
Baker Family Racing |
10th |
$25.00 |
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Emma Monahan Racing |
1st |
$50.00 |
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23 |
Joe Brunell |
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$100.00 |
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24 |
MLB Racing Photography |
4th |
$50.00 |
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25 |
Billard Lauber |
1st |
$25.00 |
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26 |
Bob Depoutot |
Last |
$50.00 |
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27 |
Bob Depoutot |
Last |
$50.00 |
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28 |
M&D Racing |
5th |
$25.00 |
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29 |
Stringer Racing |
2nd |
$25.00 |
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30 |
Brooke Wormstedt
Foundation |
10th |
$25.00 |
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The Canestrari's |
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$25.00 |
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31 |
BC Motorsports |
3rd |
$25.00 |
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JB1 |
6th |
$25.00 |
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32 |
Brandon Burr |
13th |
$25.00 |
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33 |
Tyler Morse |
2nd |
$25.00 |
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34 |
Race Day Photography
Keith & Heidi |
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$25.00 |
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35 |
Fierce for Shannon |
7th |
$25.00 |
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Street Legal Stock Car Tributes |
12th |
$25.00 |
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Specialty Awards |
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Jim's Southern Pit Crew |
Pole Award |
$100.00 |
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Fierce for Shannon |
Fastest Lap |
$100.00 |
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Robinson Farms Woodhull NY |
Hard Charger |
$100.00 |
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Standard Welding |
Last Place |
$250.00 |
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Hard Luck |
$ 50.00 |
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Most Laps Lead |
$ 50.00 |
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2022 EXIT Realty New England
Pro Truck Challenge Championship
The 2022 EXIT Realty
ProTruck Challenge concluded with a Chase race at the
Waterford Speedbowl in October. Smacktoberfest was
headlined with the series 2022 Championship event.
Within the race 5
Chase teams competed for 75 laps to decide who would be
the Chase Champion.
It was a must see event.
Practice seemed routine until Devin Deshaies #64 crashed
in turn one. A mechanical failure caused the
incident. Deshaies was the #1 seed in the playoff.
Immediately rumors circulated that the team's ProTruck
was done for the day. Devin
seemed
un-phased. If he had a truck, he wanted to race.
Otherwise he wanted to head where he could race. Tyler
Chapman generously made his ride available for the 64
Silverado was not going to be race-ready in time.
The year's winningest team would at least her a shot at
the Championship.
This year's Chase competitors were slated to start in
the front five spots of the Chase event . With no
practice in the new ride, Devin opted to start last .
This placed the 38 of Connor Souza on the pole.
Gerard Giordano shared the front row. Lined up in
row two were two very successful Waterford competitors.
Jim Boyle is always fast and has multiple wins over many
years. Andrew Morin has found his way to Victory
Lane at Waterford too. With Deshaies in the last row
in a borrowed truck, the
chances of the Chase Champion coming form the front
two rows increased dramatically.
The yellow flew on lap 1 for a mishap in the back of the
pack between the 47 of Todd Taylor and the 90 of
multi-time series champion Allen Coates. The teams
quickly reorganized for the restart and the race was
back on.
Souza charged out to an early lead. During
time trials Diego, Brody and Shawn Monahan had plenty of
pace. Shawn was in third by lap 7. He moved
by Jim Boyle into second on lap 12. The 38 had a
healthy lead at this point. Monahan patiently set on the
task of catching the leader.
Giordano moved by Boyle's 02 on lap 24.
He seemed to be pacing himself for 75 laps is a long way
at Waterford. The race always comes down to a late
race caution at the end.
Up front Souza was making it look easy. He
had no interest in letting Monahan get too close and
maintained a healthy advantage. By lap 35 the 55 had
worked his way into striking distance.
Eventually , on lap 47, as the leader worked his way by
a lapped truck, Monahan attacked. He leaned on the
38 with his front bumper just enough to make room and
take over the lead. Shawn had control of the race and it
was doubtful anyone had enough truck to challenge for
the win.
The Chase was still on, and two of the top
performers were now second and third. The 38 of Souza
found no comfort as the 15jr sat one truck length
behind, and the 55 had a truck length lead in front.
Then the caution flew on lap 66 and the battle for the
Championship was on.
The restart had the 55 of Monahan on the pole
with the 38 outside. Giordano was line up third.
Dennis Charrette in the Leone Racing number 1 was forth.
Burr held down fifth. Chase competitors Boyle and
Morin were back in striking distance restarting sixth
and seventh. Shawn's 55 Silverado jumped to a 2 truck
length lead at the drop of the green flag.
Giordano and Souza battled side by side. It was a
full lap before the 38 could secure second. Suddenly,
entering turn three smoke erupted from the pack.
Charrette got crossed up and pivoted off the 32's nose.
Burr continued as many of the front runners piled into
the melee. The 02 of Boyle was in it. His Championship
hopes were over. The field had to be stopped and
held under red as turn 3 was going to take some time to
make race ready.
For the final restart there were just two laps remained to decide a
race and a Championship. The top spot was
still held by Monahan. The 38 of Souza was in
second. G-rod lined up third. Outside G-Rod was
Devin Deshaies in the borrowed Chapman ride.
Somehow he had made is way from the back of the field to
have a shot.
Monahan had a great restart and set sail heading for
the checkers. All eyes were on the Championship
Battle between the 38 and 15 in second and third.
Whomever finished ahead was going to be the season
Champion. G-Rod moved to second. The
38 was not done. He caught the 15 and muscled his
way back by in between turns 3 and 4. Both trucks were
side by side coming to the white flag. G-Rod
sailed the 15 low to reestablish inside position in turn
one. There was contact between the two entering turn 3.
The 38 still held a slight edge exiting turn 4. Heading
to the front stretch it was a dead heat. G-Rod won the
drag race to the line and bested Souza by approximately
a foot to take the Championship. There was contact
after the start finish line as G-Rod fought for control.
As the two trucks entered turn two Souza retaliated by
hooking the 15. G-Rod was able to stay out
of the wall.
Monahan won the battle by making it two wins in a row in
the series. Diego prepped the 55. It was truly a
great ending to a Monahan family affair. Shawn won.
Brody placed 6th in his first ProTruck event.
Track Champion Emma Monahan finished right behind Brody.
Diego even finished after finding himself in the infield
during one of the late race cautions.
The Champion was G-Rod. Giordano won the war.
The 15jr had a trying year with a serious crash at
Monadnock causing them to miss races. They were
able to piece their truck back together and race at
Thompson. The team managed to regain their speed and run
up front all day. Being in position and saving their
truck went a long way in securing the top spot in the
Chase.
Souza had a spectacular year despite some disagreements
with the series. The team served a 1 race
suspension at Thompson. Waterford was their first
race back. Due to the driver's actions after
the checkers, they were removed from this year's Chase
moving Andrew Morin into the runner up Chase spot.
Devin Deshaies and company gave a heroic effort and
finished 3rd in the Chase. Jim Boyle took 4th in
this year's standings. The overall points Champion was
Devin Deshaies. The Rookie of the Year was Andrew
Pellegrini.
The series will celebrate Giordano's Championship and a
great 2022 which was also the last season with EXIT
Realty. EXIT has sponsored the series since 2018
when they took over for Mr. Rooter. It was
expected that the EXIT name would stay through 2023
however recent developments in the real estate industry
ended the pairing.
February 18th we will celebrate 2022 which saw the
emergence of some young stars. The series, sponsored by
EXIT persevered through COVID and tire shortages.
An announcement will come soon concerning the new title
sponsorship, however EXIT is certainly going to be
missed. We still have one more event. Let's
celebrate one more time with EXIT , Evolve and the Stars
of the EXIT Realty Challenge.
For tickets click the Banquet button in the left column.
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The 2022 EXIT Realty New England ProTruck season has been packed
with excitement from the drop of the green flag in April through
last week's World Series. As we roll into Smacktoberfest at the
Waterford Speedbowl, the stage is set to crown a new Champion.
Five teams have qualified for this year's Chase race.
Remarkably , the excitement happening Saturday October 22nd
at the Speedbowl includes much much more than just the
Championship Chase. Here is who to watch.
Andy Pellegrini was running well in the Ice Breaker until he
spun exiting turn four. The number 6 Silverado slid
through the infield and on to the top of the infield pit lane
wall. A twentieth place finish is a rough start for any
team. Andy was able to make six more starts and wrap up the 2022
Rookie of the Year title on the strength of five top ten
finishes.
Emma Monahan raced only a few times on the tour in 2022.
She competed at the SpeedBowl and became the first female
Champion of a Saturday evening division. You'll know her by the
crowd noise. Cousin Brody won the Legends
Championship. Uncle Shawn teamed up with Emma's father
Diego for the World Series where Shawn wheeled his #55 ProTruck
to a win. Saturday at Waterford you will see Emma, Diego,
Brody and Shawn Monahan all competing in the 75 lap ERC event.
There are not many racing families that get four members racing
in one event. This will surely be exciting to see.
Another ProTruck to keep an eye on is the 81 of Tyler Chapman.
In the last two events Chapman's 81 Silverado has been
lightening fast. In the last tour event at Waterford, Chapman's
fastest lap was bested by eventual winner Deshaies by a mere 7
hundredths. Both Waterford and Thompson events saw Chapman
taken out of contention through no fault of his own. He is a
past winner on the tour, and a frequent winner at the Speedbowl.
Saturday night could be his night.
The main story is the Championship. Five drivers. All
think they should be the Champion. We'll start with Andrew
Morin. At 18 he is a veteran EXIT Realty Challenge racer. He has
two touring series wins, one of which was this event last year.
He is only second to Devin Deshaies in season points. He has
scored 10 top tens, six top fives, and led 24 laps. He finished
second in the last event at the SpeedBowl. Due to getting into
the playoff race as the wild card, he must win to be the
Champion. If the race falls his way, Andrew Morin is a
good pick to win.
Unlike the Wild Card entry, the remaining 4 will finish in
points in the top 5 based on how they finish in relation to each
other. If Morin does not put his number 10 in Victory
Lane, the battle is on to finish ahead of the others. The
2021 Champion, Dave Koenig, made his pass in the final lap to
grab the top spot. It is a race within a race. All of
these trucks will carry special markings on their rear spoiler
so fans can watch the battle rage on:
Taking on our youngest Chase field ever at 52 years old is Jim
Boyle in the 02. He was last season's wild card. He
earned his way into the Chase race with a victory at Monadnock.
Jim missed a few events this year, and has chased a few
gremlins that have kept him from scoring more victories however
make no mistake, Jim Boyle knows how to win at the Waterford
Speedbowl and remains a threat to come home with the
Championship Saturday.
Long Island's Gerard Giordano Jr. is always a threat to win.
The 15 team was on fire early in the season. G-Rod is the
all-time winningest driver with 12 EXIT Realty Challenge wins.
The team suffered a huge set back when they were taken out early
in a crash at Monadnock in August. The incident resulted
in missing three events. G-Rod has won both points and Chase
Championships and knows his way to Victory Lane at the
SpeedBowl. Never count the series' favorite New Yorker
out.
The number 38 of Connor Souza owns second place in the
standings. Some say you have to lose a Championship to know how
to win one. Last year's Championship race was a heart
breaker for the 38 team. Souza was clearly the fastest
ProTruck out there but a rash of tire failures took Connor out
of contention. This season he has been a threat to win at every
track. The team is solid. Many feel this is his year.
The number one seed in this year's Chase is the youngest driver,
15 year old Devin Deshaies.
He has won on the Magic Mile and also found victory lane on the
quarter miles. In 11 starts the 64 found victory lane 5 times.
Devin has 8 top fives and has led 153 laps. He won the
last race at Waterford. It wasn't easy though. He
had to be very aggressive using the bumper to get by the 10 of
Morin late.
Devin will start the weekend with a coin toss.
The toss will determine if all 5 Chase contenders will be
starting at the rear of the field, or in the top 5 spots.
If all five contenders have to start in the final five spots,
Morin's work will be much harder for he will be starting last.
Starting in the rear also makes all of the teams navigate some
heavy traffic. Of course the flip could go the other way placing
the Chase teams up front. Start in the front gives all five a
clear shot to be Champion. Wherever they start, the race
within the race is surely going to come down to the wire.
The 2022 EXIT Realty New England Chase Race for the Championship
has plenty of drama for all to enjoy. It is a must see in person
event. Get tickets by visiting
www.speedbowlct.com.
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