RACERS AND
FANS LOOKING FOR ANOTHER EXCITING SEASON AT THOMPSON
THOMPSON,
CT. Race fans and competitors alike are
looking forward to another exciting year of competition at the Thompson
International Speedway. It all starts with the ICEBREAKER on the weekend of
April 4th and 5th at the historic 5/8ths mile oval. The
ICEBREAKER is the traditional season opening race for the NASCAR Whelen
Modified Tour and the “Super 6” NASCAR Whelen All American Series divisions
that compete each week at Thompson.
Much of the excitement centers on the fact
that the 2008 racing season was the most competitive in years at Thompson. Fans
and race teams remember that not a single NASCAR Whelen All American Series
track title was determined until the final night of competition during which
track points were awarded.
Going into that final event, nerves
were frayed and anticipation was high as a total of twenty two different
drivers had a shot a claiming one of the six NASCAR Whelen All American Series
titles. When the final lap of competition had been completed, it was Kerry
Malone (Sunoco Modifieds), Fred Astle, Jr (Pro Stocks), Jeff Zuidema (late
Models), Kurt Vigeant (Thompson Modifieds), Scott Sundeen (Limited Sportsman)
and Danny Field (Mini Stocks) who claimed their respective division’s crowns. The
2009 season promises to be another one filled with excitement and challenges
right down to the wire for championship crowns.
The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour
championship was a very tight race all season long. That championship was also
decided in the final race of the season at Thompson. Ted Christopher went into
the final 150-lap event with a small points advantage over Matt Hirschman but
crossed the finish line with a 127 point advantage and his first Modified Tour
championship. Christopher, a two-time ICEBREAKER winner, will lead the NASCAR
Whelen Modified Tour into its 25th anniversary year with a 150 lap
main event on ICEBREAKER weekend.
A brand new season means that the
long drive for a NASCAR championship begins again at Thompson. The two-day
ICEBREAKER event is one of the key races of the season. Fans have high hopes
for their favorite driver and the race teams work tirelessly to get a good
finish at this tradition-laden race. It is a commonly shared view that a good
finish at Thompson’s ICEBREAKER will set the stage for the season. All cars
will qualify on Saturday, April 4th.
Once qualifying has been completed, Thompson’s Sunoco Modifieds and Late
Models will compete in feature event races. Sunday, April 5th, will
feature all seven divisions in feature event competition.
The track will open for practice on
Saturday, April 4th, at 9 AM. Grandstands will open at 9:30 AM.
Qualifying will begin at 1:30 PM and the Sunoco Modified and Late Model
features will follow. The traditional
Saturday night ICEBREAKER dinner and dance will be held at the Raceway
Restaurant and Lounge on Saturday night. Grandstands will open at 9:30 AM on
Sunday, April 5th and pre-race activities will get underway at about
11:30 AM. The race program along with a huge autograph session for NASCAR
Whelen Modified Tour drivers will get underway at 12 Noon.
ICEBREAKER tickets are available at
the Thompson International Speedway track office. Fans may call and order their
tickets and avoid long lines on race weekend. (860-923-2280). The complete
schedule of events for this incredible weekend of racing may be found on the
track’s web page. www.thompsonspeedway.com
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