3/21/2009
FINAL OPEN PRACTICE BEFORE
ICEBREAKER NEXT WEEKEND |
A bright and sunny day offered the perfect combination to bring out ”race
fever” at the Thompson International Speedway. Race teams converged on the
Thompson oval to take advantage of six hours of open practice time offered
by the speedway.
Race cars representing seven different NASCAR Whelen racing
divisions used the open practice opportunity to fine tune their race cars
after off-season updates, improvements, changes and, in some cases, test
brand new race cars. In all, over eighty race teams took advantage of the
chance to get their cars ready for Thompson’s ICEBREAKER which is only two
weeks away.
NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour cars lead the list of competitors
getting a jump on the racing season. Joining the “Tour” teams were Sunoco
Modifieds, Super Late Models, Thompson Modifieds, Late Models, Limited
Sportsman, Mini Stocks, Race Trucks and antique race cars. Seven time
Modified Tour champion, Mike Stefanik was grateful to have the on-track
time. “We found that over the winter we solved a problem that had plagued us
for a good part of last year. We are here to shake it down and things are
going well,” he said.
This was the first of two open practice dates leading up to the
season-opening ICEBREAKER. The next open practice date is Saturday, March
28th. The track will be open for practice between the hours of 11 AM and 6
PM. Any safe race car is welcome. NASCAR has granted permission for Whelen
Modified Tour cars to participate on the 28th as well. The grandstands will
not be open, but any interested race fan at least sixteen years of age may
sign in through the pit area and view the on-track activity from the pit
grandstands.
Thompson’s ICEBREAKER is set for the weekend of April 4th & 5th.
The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour will open its 25th season with qualifying on
Saturday April 4th and will compete in a 150-lap main event on Sunday, April
5th. Tour drivers will gather on Sunday at 12 Noon for a huge autograph
session. Fans are urged to bring their cameras and items they would like to
have autographed by their favorite NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour driver.
In addition to the Modified Tour, ICEBREAKER weekend will feature
Thompson’s “Super 6” NASCAR Whelen All American Series divisions. In fact,
the Sunoco Modifieds and Late Models will be doing double duty. They will
race both Saturday night after qualifying and again on Sunday. They will be
joined by the Thompson Super Late Models, Limited Sportsman, Thompson
Modifieds and Mini Stocks.
Thompson’s ICEBREAKER weekend is more than a major event race
weekend. It is a big social event as race fans get to see other fans,
friends and competitors. Thompson is the perfect location for this kind of
event
Tickets, which are good for both days of the ICEBREAKER, are
available in advance by calling the Thompson track office at 860-923-2280.
All major credit cards are accepted. Complete details and a full schedule of
the ICEBREAKER weekend may be found on the
track’s web page.
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Source: Russ Dowd
/ Thompson International Speedway
Posted: March
21, 2009 |
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