COUNTDOWN CONTINUES TO MARCH 21^ST AT THOMPSON

THOMPSON, CT. March arrived in New England like a lion. A major late winter snow storm blanketed the Thompson International Speedway with over a foot of snow. However, this has not changed the goal of having the historic oval open for the first practice session of the new season on Saturday, March 21^st.

A few warm days to melt the snow and allow the ground to dry is all that is needed for the crews to ready the speedway for the first of two scheduled open practice sessions leading up to ICEBREAKER ’09 slated for the first weekend in April.

Thompson management is determined to have the track race ready for both March 21^st and again on March 28^th. “We feel that these two open practice sessions are extremely important for competitors,” said owner and promoter, Don Hoenig. “Every year we schedule these dates so that race teams can get their cars out on the track and get them ready before one of the biggest races of the season. The ICEBREAKER is a New England tradition and doing well in that event usually sets the stage for a successful season,” Hoenig stated.

The Thompson open practice sessions are designed to provide valuable track time for new and veteran teams and seat time for new drivers. The speedway is scheduled to be open from 11 AM until 6 PM on both the 21^st and the 28^th. Any and all race cars are welcome to participate in the “round robin” format that goes non-stop for all seven hours on each of the two days.

“We open the track to everyone who may be competing here or at other New England ovals during the ’09 racing season. We deliberately do not limit these dates to race teams that will be regular weekly competitors at Thompson. Our goal is to provide an opportunity for racers to get a ‘heads up’ on the season and to also provide teams that are trying new ideas the chance to test those ideas before race day,” Hoenig concluded.

In addition to the track being open for practice, 2009 NASCAR licenses will be available. Race teams will also be able to work with track officials to be sure that their cars meet the technical requirements of their respective divisions.

The grandstands will not be open to the public for either of these events, but anyone sixteen years of age or older is welcome to sign into the Thompson pit area and may watch the on-track activity from the pit grandstands.

For more information, racers and fans are urged to visit the Thompson web page. www.thompsonspeedway.com Questions may also be directed to the track office which is in full operation and is also offering advance sale of ICEBREAKER tickets.

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