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03/28/2014 |
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THOMPSON
SPEEDWAY MOTORSPORTS PARK (TSMP) KICKS OFF
74th SEASON WITH ICEBREAKER PRESENTED BY TOWN FAIR TIRE |
 The
Icebreaker, presented by Town Fair Tire, will mark
the beginning of Thompson Speedway Motorsports
Park’s 74th season of operation. The 2014 running of
the event will mark the 40th time it has been held.
The traditional season-opening event will feature
nine divisions, headlined by the first championship
race for the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour (NWMT).
Defending NWMT Champion, Ryan Preece, will begin his
title defense behind the wheel of the Eric
Sanderson-owned No. 16, but it won’t be without some
stiff competition. Doug Coby headlines an impressive
list of drivers who will be behind the wheel of
another car this season. Coby teamed up with Mike
Smeriglio, III to drive the Dunleavy’s Truck &
Trailer Repair Chevrolet. Another driver on the move
this year was nine-time NASCAR regional touring
series champion, and defending Icebreaker race
winner, Mike Stefanik. The Coventry, RI-native has
teamed up with car owner Ed Marceau to drive the No.
1 entry. Tommy Barrett, a standout on the Valenti
Modified Racing Series, replaced Stefanik in Chris
Our’s No. 22 Chevrolet. The young driver will look
to make his third start on the NWMT. Defending TSMP
Sunoco Modified Champion, Keith Rocco, has entered
the No. 48 car, which he will be driving for John
Rufrano.
The New Hampshire-based Granite State Pro Stock
Series (GSPSS) will also begin their season at the
Icebreaker. Going into their third season, the GSPSS
first visited TSMP for the first time in 2013.
George Bessette, who is entered for this year’s
event, was the inaugural race winner at Icebreaker
2013. Defending, and two-time American-Canadian Tour
Champion, Wayne Helliwell, Jr. has entered, as well
as defending GSPSS Champion, Mike O’Sullivan. Young
guns Derek Griffith, Brad Babb, and Dillon Moltz
also have indicated their intentions to compete in
the 50-lap main event. The Icebreaker, presented by
Town Fair Tire, will kick off a 10-race campaign for
GSPSS, which will end with the championship-crowing
event at the Sunoco World Series of Speedway Racing,
presented by Xtra Mart.
TSMP’s four NASCAR Whelen All-American Series
divisions will also be in action. Defending Sunoco
Modified Champion, Keith Rocco, will be leading the
charge as he begins his title defense. Rocco, will
be doing triple duty, as he also will be competing
in the Late Model Division and the NASCAR Whelen
Modified Tour. Six-time TSMP Champion, Glenn Boss,
has registered his No. 3 Late Model and he will look
to add to his record number of track championships.
“Leadfoot” Larry Barnett will be returning to
competition, after a horrific wreck ended his 2013
season early. The multi-time divisional champion has
his eyes on another title. The Baxter brothers will
once again return to the Mini Stock Division in 2014
with the goal being the division’s top honor.
The Lite Modifieds, New England Truck Series, and
Vintage Outlaws will all be in competition, also.
The weekend event begins on Friday, April 4, with an
optional practice day for race teams. Practice and
qualifying will take place prior to four feature
events on Saturday night, including segment races
for the Limited Sportsman and Mini Stock divisions.
Seven feature events headline the race program on
Sunday with all of the on-track activity beginning
at 12:30pm. For more information about the
Icebreaker, presented by Town Fair Tire, or about
TSMP, please visit our website –
www.thompsonspeedway.com, or connect with us
on Facebook and Twitter.
To purchase tickets for the event, please call the
TSMP office at (860) 923-2280.. |
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Source: Theresa Condict / Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park
Posted:
March 28, 2014 |
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