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2/26/2009
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PREPARATIONS FOR
OPEN PRACTICE UNDERWAY AT THOMPSON |
A few warm days in southern New England was just what was needed at the
Thompson International Speedway. Much of the snow and ice that had been
covering the historic speedway began to melt and made it possible for track
officials to being the process of preparing for the first open practice
slated for March 21st.
The winter of ’08 and ’09 has not been kind to the northeast.
Near-record amounts of snow, ice and cold weather brought all outdoor
off-season projects to a halt. But some recent warm weather has made much of
the speedway property accessible. All of this is good news for track
officials who hope to begin preparations for the track’s first of two open
practice sessions that are scheduled for the 21st and 28th of March. Any
safe race car is welcome to participate in these open practice sessions. All
of this precedes the opening of the racing season in New England with the
annual running Thompson’s ICEBREAKER on the weekend of April 4th and 5th.
The ICEBREAKER ’09 will feature seven divisions of racing
competition highlighted by the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour. The “Tour” will
be joined by Thompson’s own “Super 6” NASCAR Whelen All American Series
racing divisions. The “Super 6” consists of the Sunoco Modifieds, Super Late
Models, Thompson Modifieds, Late Models, Limited Sportsman and Mini Stocks.
Thompson’s Pro Stock division will carry a new name beginning on ICEBREAKER
weekend. The name change to Super Late Models was made during the off-season
in an effort to more closely reflect the changes that the former Pro Stock
division has gone through in recent years.
Thompson’s 2009 racing schedule reflects some changes from previous
years with regard to the track’s annual major events in the middle of June
and at the end of August. “These changes reflect our commitment to the
racers who support us week in and week out. We want to offer these
competitors an opportunity for larger events, more prestige and more money.”
These were the words of track owner Don Hoenig when he spoke at Thompson
International Speedway’s annual awards banquets in January. His comments
were received with loud applause from those in attendance.
The True Value Modifieds will top the race program on June 18th
when they will be featured in a 75-lap main event. They will be joined by
Thompson’s “Super 6” NASCAR Whelen All American Series divisions. This race
event is family priced and represents a considerable reduction in ticket
prices over last year’s event.
The track also announced a Special Event for Thursday, August 27th.
This will replace the traditional major event that had been held the weekend
after Labor Day. The details of this exciting event will be announced on the
first of July.
Thompson’s line up for the 2009 racing season is an exciting mix of
special events and the popular Thursday Night Thompson Thunder (TNTT)
series. It will be a season that will offer something for everyone and will
be priced the same or less than the 2008 line up.
A copy of the 2009 Thompson race schedule is available on the
Thompson
International Speedway web page. Schedule cards and brochures will
also get wide-spread distribution throughout southern New England. They are
also available by request from the track’s office.
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Source: Russ Dowd
/ Thompson International Speedway
Posted: February
26, 2009 |
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