Thompson’s Sunoco Modified Look To Be Most Competitive Ever

By admin March 22, 2008

Thompson, CT — The Sunoco Modifieds, the premier NASCAR Whelen All American Series division at Thompson International Speedway, looks to be the most competitive weekly Modified division at any race track in the northeast as a brand new season arrives.

This exciting open wheel division has provided fans with truly great racing events week in and week out for many years. It has grown stronger and stronger with each passing year and 2008 looks to be this division’s best year ever. It all gets underway when the Sunoco Modifieds will compete in two feature events on ICEBREAKER weekend, April 5th & 6th.

Defending Champion, Keith Rocco, will lead a stellar lineup of extremely talented drivers and race teams. Rocco has thrilled race fans with his on-the-edge driving style since he joined the Sunoco Modified division only three years ago.

Rocco will be joined by the division’s 2007 most popular driver and 2006 NASCAR Division IV and Thompson Speedway Champion, Woody Pitkat. Pitkat, another young driver who has captured the hearts and minds of race fans, will return to the high banks of Thompson to seek another division title.

Thompson’s Rookie of the Year, Danny Cates, made the huge jump from the Limited Sportsman ranks into the Sunoco Modified division last year and immediately took his place as a top contender. He will begin the 2008 season with a new Troyer race car and big plans for his 2008 campaign.

“Showtime” Jimmy Blewett will also return with his eye set on both the Thompson Championship and the NASCAR national title. He will be behind the wheel of his late brother, John Blewett’s car, owned by Ed Partridge. Blewett will carry his traditional number 12 into the competition.

Some brand new faces will be part of the weekly competition for the Sunoco Modifieds. NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour veteran, Bobby Grigas III of Marshfield, MA will take over the controls of the potent # 00 owned by James Paige of Blackstone, MA. Grigas has made a name for himself in Modified circles by being a major contender on both the Whelen Modified Tour and the True Value Modified Tour. Driver Ken Horton of Guilford, CT has also added his name to the growing list of title contenders. He will run for the crown in his own potent # 19.

The name Sylvester has become synonymous with racing in New England. It dates back into the 1950s when Tony Sylvester, Sr. was a “hot shoe” throughout southern New England. Tony’s sons, Tom and Tony, Jr. followed in their dad’s footsteps with Tony wining track championships and most popular driver awards. Tom was a long-time successful competitor who moved to car owner when his son Zach jumped behind the wheel. Zach will be a 2008 regular at Thompson in his XTRA MART sponsored # 56. Tom’s youngest son, Josh, began his open wheel career in 2007 and won three feature events and Rookie of the year honors.

These are just a few of the extremely talented drivers who will be taking on some of the division’s most talented veterans who have played key roles in the success of the Sunoco Modified division at Thompson. A quick look at the roster of Sunoco Modified drivers reveals a ‘Who’s Who’ lineup. Drivers like Tom Cravenho, Jr., Kerry Malone, Todd Ceravolo, Bert Marvin, Buddy Charette and many more can also be counted on as very tough competitors.

The Sunoco Modifieds will be part of the eight-division ICEBREAKER on April 5th & 6th at Thompson. The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, NEMA Midgets, Pro Stocks, Late Models, Limited Sportsman, Thompson Modifieds and Mini Stocks will make up the ICEBREAKER program.

Race fans may get tickets to this major racing event by calling the Thompson Speedway track office at (860)-923-2280. The complete ICEBREAKER schedule and much more information is available on the track’s web page at www.thompsonspeedway.com.

Sources: Russ Dowd/Thompson International Speedway PR

Tagged on: