EXCITEMENT
BUILDS AS THOMPSON’S ICEBREAKER NEARS
THOMPSON,
CT New England race fans are counting
the days until the season-opening Thompson ICEBREAKER kicks off the 25th
year of the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour’s racing season. The ICEBREAKER ushers
in the beginning of the season for the Modified Tour and for Thompson’s “Super
Six” NASCAR All American Series divisions. All of this is scheduled for the
weekend of April 4th & 5th at the Thompson
International Speedway.
Preparations for this event have
been going on for some time and winter weary fans are beginning to get excited
about the start of another season of exciting races at the historic speedway. The
first signs of racing will come alive on Saturday, March 21st when
virtually any legal race car will be welcomed at Thompson for the first of two
open practice sessions. The second such session will be held on Saturday, March
28th. The director of the
NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, Chad Little, has given
permission to “Tour” teams to take advantage of both of the Thompson open
practice dates. The open practices will be held between the hours of 11 AM and
6 PM.
Thompson’s ICEBREAKER is one of he
most exciting race weekends of the season. New teams, new drivers, new paint
schemes and more are mixed with the return of many veteran race teams. Some
driver’s find themselves working with new cars and crews while others return
with their tried and true cars and teams. Each race team looks to kick start
their season with a good finish at the ICEBREAKER. Many racers believe that a
good performance at the ICEBREAKER will lead to a successful season of
competition in their respective divisions.
Many eyes will be on the famed
NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour team owned by Mystic, CT veteran car owner, Bob
Garbarino. This team, with driver Donnie
Lia, won the 2007 “Tour” championship. Lia then moved to the NASCAR Camping
World Truck Series. His 2009 efforts will be centered on the Garbarino team’s
desire to capture a second Modified Tour title. However, Lia will compete in
selected Camping World Truck Series events as well.
Lia’s championship year began with
wins in five of the first eight events and that momentum carried him to the
team’s first-ever division title. Both Lia and Garbarino have made no secret
about the fact that they are looking for that second title. Defending champ,
Ted Christopher, along with last year’s ICEBREAKER winner, Ed Flemke, Jr. may
have something to say about that as will many other WMT race teams searching
for the season-ending brass ring.
Thompson’s ICEREAKER will be a
two-day event with practice and qualifying on Saturday, April 4th.
Once qualifying events have been completed, fans will be treated to the first
of two feature races that weekend from Thompson’s Sunoco Modifieds and the Late
Models. Each of these divisions will compete in feature event races on both
Saturday and Sunday.
The introduction of Thompson’s Super
Late Model division will also take place as part of the ICEBREAKER weekend. Super
Late Models is the new name for the track’s former Pro Stock division. The name
change was announced over the winter and was done to more closely reflect the
changes that these ultra sleek and fast race cars have gone through in recent
years.
In addition to the WMT, Sunoco
Modifieds and Super Late Models, the ICEBREAKER will also host the Thompson
Modifieds, Late Models, Limited Sportsman and Mini Stock divisions. Competition
in these divisions is also expected to be fierce. 2008 division champs will be looking to
defend their titles while others will be dedicated to claiming the crowns
themselves.
Race fans look forward to the
ICEBREAKER every year with great anticipation. It is not only a huge racing
weekend, but it is also a truly wonderful social event. Campers take full
advantage of the track’s free parking policy and move in as early as a week
before the race. The Thompson complex offers fans a full lineup of food, drink
and fun at the on-site Raceway Restaurant and Lounge. It all starts Friday night with a special
Clubhouse menu for dinner. The famous breakfast buffet will be available on
both Saturday and Sunday mornings. Saturday night is when the clubhouse shines
with a special ICEBREAKER menu and live entertainment. On Sunday night, once
the racing is complete, many fans avoid the traffic congestion by heading to
the Clubhouse for food and drink to complete the season-opening celebration.
Tickets for ICEBREAKER 09 are now
available by calling the track office. 860-923-2280. More information along
with the weekend’s schedule, the entire season’s schedule, driver rosters,
nearby accommodations, attractions and much more are all available on the
Thompson web site. www.thompsonspeedway.com
#