MODIFIED TOUR ENTRIES NEAR BEST OF
THE SEASON AT THOMPSON
The number of NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour entries for this weekend’s
XTRAMART World Series of Speedway Racing is approaching a season
high at Thompson International Speedway. With a week to go before
the race event, thirty four race teams have filed official entries
to compete in the last race of the season for NASCAR’s only open
wheel racing division. More entries are expected before the gates
open for this three-day racing spectacle on Friday, October 17th.
The impressive list of entries is lead by current points leader Ted
Christopher. Christopher of Plainville, CT, is in a very tight race
for the Whelen Modified Tour (WMT) championship with Pennsylvania
driver, Matt Hirschman. As the season draws to a close, Hirschman is
not the only driver who could claim the title. Former champ Todd
Szegedy, Chuck Hossfeld and Ronnie Silk are also potential winners.
Silk has had some truly great runs at Thompson in the last year. He
has won three of the last six WMT races and will be fully prepared
the green flag is dropped on Sunday, October 19th.
The division’s most successful driver, Mike Stefanik, will also be
on hand as will last year’s race winner, Bobby Santos III. Add the
names of Eric Beers, Ryan Preece, Ed Flemke, Rick Fuller and many
more and race fans can expect a thrilling event. The 2008 Mod Tour
season began back in April at Thompson. Ed Flemke won the Icebreaker
and is geared to close the season with another Thompson victory.
A brand new name will be added to the WMT roster for the XTRAMART
World Series. Keith Rocco, the 2007 Sunoco Modified champion at
Thompson, will be behind the wheel of the potent 00 car of veteran
owner Joe Brady. Rocco will make his WMT debut after a very
successful 2008 racing season in southern New England. Other drivers
who compete regularly with Rocco will also attempt to qualify for
the field. Entries have been received from Bobby Grigas III, Jimmy
Blewett and Woody Pitkat. Qualifying for the big 150-lap season
finale will take place on Saturday, Oct 18th with the WMT filed
scheduled for a 3 PM start on Sunday the 19th.
The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour is but one of fourteen exciting
divisions that will participate in the 35th annual XTRAMART World
Series of Speedway Racing at Thompson. The thrilling Super Modifieds
of ISMA, the NEMA Midgets, the ARTS trucks, Pro 4 Modifieds and
three outlaw divisions will make up the list of visitors. Thompson’s
NASCAR Whelen All American Series “Super 6” weekly divisions will
complete the incredible list of fourteen different racing divisions
that make up the most diversified weekend of auto racing found
anywhere. This three-day racefest is unmatched and is the reason
that well over five hundred race cars and thousands of fans converge
on the Thompson Speedway each fall for an action packed weekend.
Hundreds of campers make a full weekend of it and take advantage of
the racing and party atmosphere that is so much a part of the World
Series.
The huge grandstands at the Thompson will open at 4:30 PM on Friday
and at 9 AM on both Saturday and Sunday. Long ticket lines may be
avoided by getting tickets in advance at the track office. Fans may
call 860-923-2280. Much more information along with the complete
three-day schedule and much more are available on the
Thompson
web page.
THE END