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3/19/2009
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RACERS AND FANS
LOOKING FOR ANOTHER EXCITING SEASON
AT THOMPSON INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY |
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.
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Source: Russ Dowd
/ Thompson International Speedway
Posted: March
19, 2009 |
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