Modified Tour Entries Near Best of Season at Thompson

By admin October 10, 2008 NASCAR WMT, Thompson

Banner field of NASCAR Modifieds expected for World Series

Thompson, CT — The number of NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour entries for this weekend’s XTRAMART World Series of Speedway Racing is approaching a season high at Thompson International Speedway.  With a week to go before the race event, thirty four race teams have filed official entries to compete in the last race of the season for NASCAR’s only open wheel racing division. More entries are expected before the gates open for this three-day racing spectacle on Friday, October 17th.

The impressive list of entries is lead by current points leader Ted Christopher. Christopher of Plainville, CT, is in a very tight race for the Whelen Modified Tour (WMT) championship with Pennsylvania driver, Matt Hirschman. As the season draws to a close, Hirschman is not the only driver who could claim the title. Former champ Todd Szegedy, Chuck Hossfeld and Ronnie Silk are also potential winners. Silk has had some truly great runs at Thompson in the last year. He has won three of the last six WMT races and will be fully prepared the green flag is dropped on Sunday, October 19th.

The division’s most successful driver, Mike Stefanik, will also be on hand as will last year’s race winner, Bobby Santos III. Add the names of Eric Beers, Ryan Preece, Ed Flemke, Rick Fuller and many more and race fans can expect a thrilling event. The 2008 Mod Tour season began back in April at Thompson. Ed Flemke won the Icebreaker and is geared to close the season with another Thompson victory.

A brand new name will be added to the WMT roster for the XTRAMART World Series. Keith Rocco, the 2007 Sunoco Modified champion at Thompson, will be behind the wheel of the potent 00 car of veteran owner Joe Brady. Rocco will make his WMT debut after a very successful 2008 racing season in southern New England. Other drivers who compete regularly with Rocco will also attempt to qualify for the field. Entries have been received from Bobby Grigas III, Jimmy Blewett and Woody Pitkat. Qualifying for the big 150-lap season finale will take place on Saturday, Oct 18th with the WMT filed scheduled for a 3 PM start on Sunday the 19th.

The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour is but one of fourteen exciting divisions that will participate in the 35th annual XTRAMART World Series of Speedway Racing at Thompson. The thrilling Super Modifieds of ISMA, the NEMA Midgets, the ARTS trucks, Pro 4 Modifieds and three outlaw divisions will make up the list of visitors. Thompson’s NASCAR Whelen All American Series “Super 6” weekly divisions will complete the incredible list of fourteen different racing divisions that make up the most diversified weekend of auto racing found anywhere. This three-day racefest is unmatched and is the reason that well over five hundred race cars and thousands of fans converge on the Thompson Speedway each fall for an action packed weekend. Hundreds of campers make a full weekend of it and take advantage of the racing and party atmosphere that is so much a part of the World Series.

The huge grandstands at the Thompson will open at 4:30 PM on Friday and at 9 AM on both Saturday and Sunday. Long ticket lines may be avoided by getting tickets in advance at the track office. Fans may call 860-923-2280. Much more information along with the complete three-day schedule and much more are available on the Thompson web page.  www.thompsonspeedway.com.

 Sources: Russ Dowd/Thompson International Speedway PR