Thompson, CT — A great evening of family fun returns to the Thompson International Speedway on Sunday, May 25th. The Eve of Destruction will once again kick off the beginning of summer in a big, bad, noisy and fun-filled way.
Mad house mayhem will be the order of the night with over a dozen different thrilling, spectacular, insane and fun-filled, action-paced attractions. It’s this kind action packed program that has become the signature of Thompson’s annual Eve of Destruction.
Thompson, CT — Opening night of Thursday Night Thompson Thunder (TNTT) is set for May 22nd. The 2008 racing season marks the ninth year that the popular Thursday night race program has been thrilling race fans in New England.
Thompson’s six NASCAR Whelen All American Series divisions compete weekly in what has to be the fastest, most efficiently run race program to be found anywhere in southern New England. Feature event racing begins around 7 PM and fans are headed home by 9:30 PM. However, during that period, fans get to see six feature events with the best drivers the region has to offer.
Thompson, CT — Thursday Night Thompson Thunder (TNTT) returns to the Thompson International Speedway on Thursday, May 22nd. The TNTT series will once again feature six NASCAR Whelen All American Series divisions in a fast-paced race program that has been so popular with race fans.
The Thompson Sunoco Modifieds lead the way with a roster of drivers bursting with talent. The competition is second to none and race fans love the close, high-speed competition of this exciting open wheel division.
Eddie Flemke Wins Rain-Shortened WMT 150; Before Rains O’Sullivan, Gleason, Boss & Fields Take Weekly Series Wins
Thompson, CT — Spirits were darkened during what should have been the celebratory start of racing season at Thompson International Speedway. Shane Hammond, age 27, of Halifax, MA, succumbed to injuries sustained on lap four of the Northeastern Midget Association feature event. The thoughts and prayers of the entire racing community are with Hammond’s family.
A formal statement will be forthcoming from Thompson Speedway management.
The traditional Icebreaker at Thompson International Speedway culminated with feature events for the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour and the NASCAR All-American Series Weekly Racing Series. A cold rain settled into the speedway shortly after the halfway marker of the scheduled 150 lap event for the Modifieds causing NASCAR to shorten the event at lap 92. Eddie Flemke, Jr. was declared the winner. Chuck Hossfeld of Buffalo, NY, made a strong return to the Mystic Missile to finish second. Bobby Grigas III of Marshfield, MA, had a career best finish to come home third.
Thompson, CT — A racing accident Sunday afternoon at the Thompson International Speedway claimed the life of race driver Shane Hammond of Halifax, MA. The accident occurred on the third lap of a scheduled 25-lap Northeast Midget Association (NEMA) feature event race.
“Everyone at the Thompson Speedway is saddened by this tragic loss,” said track Owner, Donald Hoenig. “Words can not express how we at Thompson and the entire racing community feel at this time. We extend our deepest sympathies to Shane’s family, friends and to his many fans. Shane Hammond was a very talented young driver who had impressed many with his natural ability.”
The 27 year old Mr. Hammond was transported to the Day Kimball Hospital in Putnam, CT where he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival. Connecticut State Police are investigating the accident. Connecticut State Police has indicated that the investigation remains open and active at this time.
Thompson, CT — New England racing season is officially underway as the traditional Icebreaker commenced at Thompson International Speedway on Saturday afternoon. The main attractions are slated for tomorrow, Sunday, April 6, 2008 beginning at 12 Noon with the Northeastern Midget Association, six divisions of NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Racing, and the headlining Whelen Modified Tour.
On Saturday, James Civali of Meriden, CT, stole the show when he turned a lap of 18.585 seconds and an average speed of 120.097 to earn the Coors Light Pole. Bobby Grigas of Marshfield, MA, was second on the clock with a time of 18.613 seconds. The top five in qualifying included Todd Szegedy, Ronnie Silk and Jimmy Blewett. After the redraw it will be Grigas leading the field to green as the Whelen Modified tour embarks on NASCAR’s 60th year of Modified racing. Silk, Blewett, Szegedy, and Civali will make up the top five for Sunday’s 150 lapper that is scheduled to go green at approximately 3:15PM.
Thompson, CT — James Civali captured his first career Coors Light Pole Saturday evening at Thompson International Speedway in qualifying for the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour season-opening Icebreaker.
Entering his third season, Civali captured the pole for the first time in what will be his 37th career start on Sunday. The Meriden, Conn., native ran an 18.585 sec. lap on the .625-mile banked oval for a speed of 120.097.
Busy Season Starts This Weekend at Thompson Speedway
Stafford, CT — Woody Pitkat’s 2007 accomplishments alone could make for a strong career resume in racing. He finished second in points at both Stafford Motor Speedway and Thompson International Speedway in their Modified divisions. He finished third in the point standings of the Late Model division at Stafford. He also burst onto the scene of the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, recording four top-10 finishes in only 10 starts.
But Pitkat still felt something was missing from his year. For the second straight season, he came within just a few points of winning the Whelen All-American National Championship. He is chasing after that championship again this year and is looking for an improved start to his season to give him a boost.
Thompson, CT — The stars of the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour will be out in force this weekend for the season opening ICEBREAKER at the Thompson International Speedway. The list of race teams and drivers pre-entered for the April 5th & 6th event is made up of champions and challengers.
Four former winners of the ICEBREAKER will be on hand as will a host of drivers that want to add this prestigious event to their win list. The driver who has the most ICEBREAKER wins is Rick Fuller. The Auburn, MA driver won the event in 1991, 1994, 1997 and 2001. Seven time Modified Tour division Champion, Mike Stefanik, a two-time ICEBREAKER winner (’98 & ’06), will be joined by another two-time victor, Ted Christopher (’04 & ’05). Last year’s ICEBREKER winner, James Civali, will try to make it two in a row.
Thompson International Speedway hosted another Test ‘N Tune session on Saturday, March 29.
Teams from the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour and NEMA Midgets were on hand to get ready for Icebreaker 2008 next weekend. The NASCAR Whelen All-American Series weekly classes of Sunoco Modifieds, Pro Stocks, Limited Sportsman, Thompson Modifieds and Mini Stocks were also there.
Eric LaFleche of VLF Photos and our own Adam Fohlin were there to capture the action.
There have been a lot of rumors about us moving our open practice tomorrow to Sunday. That is NOT the case at all. Weather permitting (and all looks good), we will begin practice tomorrow (March 29th) at 12 Noon. If there is any way you could post that for us, It would be much appreciated.
Thompson, CT — The long New England winter is loosing its grip on the region and race fans are ready for the annual renewal of high-speed excitement. It all begins each year with the ICEBREAKER race event at the Thompson International Speedway in Thompson, CT. This year’s ICEBREAKER will be held April 5th & 6th.
An especially harsh winter in the region has made race fans hungry for the return of their favorite sport and Thompson will present a full weekend of high speed spills and thrills. The annual season opener will feature eight different divisions of race cars in a two-day extravaganza.
The Northeastern Midget Association begins its 56th season at Thompson International Speedway’s Icebreaker April 4-5-6. Club President Mike Scrivani Jr. expects upward to 30 cars for the 25-lapper on what is the fastest track NEMA visits.
It is the first of 19 races for NEMA, the most in 20 years. It is the first of three ’08 visits to Thompson. The Budweiser Modified Nationals at Waterford Speedbowl follows a week later (April 12-13) providing the club with a demanding start.
Daytona Beach, FL — To kick off a season-long celebration of 60 years of Modified champions, NASCAR is recognizing a trio of NASCAR Modified titlists in the 2008 opener April 6 at Thompson (Conn.) International Speedway.
NASCAR plans to recognize each of its past Modified champions throughout the season. The celebration will begin with the honoring of Frankie Schneider, Donny Lia and the late Richie Evans at the season-opening Icebreaker.
