Late Models Get Extra Distance Race This Thursday at Thompson
Thompson, CT — Late Model stock cars have played a major role in the success of Thursday night racing at the Thompson International Speedway. This week, August 11th, the race teams in the Late Model division will find themselves faced with the biggest challenge of the year. A 40-lap main event will bring out the best in each team as they will seek the coveted win of this extra distance race.
Current points leader in the Late Model division, Tommy O’Sullivan, will be the driver to beat. O’Sullivan has garnered four wins this season and has accumulated 520 track points. Rick Gentes, on the other hand, has three wins and lags in the points chase with a total of 480. In spite of the fact that O’Sullivan and Gentes top the wins and a points list, John Meteras has collected two wins with Mike Scorzelli and John Falconi each having one victory. Drivers Marc Palmisano, Phil Rondeau, Randy Tucker and Damon Tinio are also seen as potential winners since each of these drivers has shown victory lane potential all season long.
In addition to the full complement of NASCAR Whelen All-American Series divisions, including the Late Model 40-lap special, the New England Truck Series will also be on hand for the first of two appearances at Thompson this season. Andy Linderman sits atop the points standings but Corey Coates has landed the most wins this year in the N. E. Truck Series. Coates has collected three victories this season with Howard Payne and Jonathon Avery also visiting victory lane. Duane Noll and Ronnie Oldham are also contenders for a win. Thompson Int’l Speedway is biggest track on the Truck Series schedule and that alone could easily throw open the gates to victory lane to any of the division’s hot shoes.
Modified fans will flock back to Thompson on the night of August 18th when the Tour-Type Modifieds return for their final appearance of the season. In the June Tour-Type Modified 40-lap dash, it was Todd Szegedy who claimed the win. However, when the division returned in July, it was Ryan Preece who graced victory lane. Other competitors in the Tour-Type races that could easily claim a win include Ted Christopher, Mike Stefanik, Keith Rocco, Todd Ceravolo, Steven Reed and Richard Savary. The short-distance, 40-lap races, have thrilled fans as each driver has to run flat out from the drop of the green flag.
Grandstands at Thompson open at 4 PM. Qualifying races will begin fifteen minutes early (5:45 PM) to accommodate the extra racing action. Complete schedules of each of these events are available on the Thompson Speedway web site. www.thompsonspeedway.com.
Sources: Russ Dowd/Thompson International Speedway PR