Thompson Int’l Speedway Promotes Sunoco Modifieds to NASCAR Weekly Racing Series Feature Division
Thompson, CT — Donald and D.R. Hoenig of the Thompson International Speedway have made another announcement for the NASCAR 2001 racing season. One week after the completion of the new asphalt racing surface, the speedway owners have decided to re-adjust the NASCAR Weekly Racing Series points divisions.
For the 2001 season, the premiere points division will become the Sunoco Modifieds. Competitors in the Pro Stock division will share in a new exclusive program posting a special point fund of ten thousand dollars that will be posted by the speedway. Thompson’s Late Model division will move up to be part of the NASCAR Weekly divisions and the re-named Limited Sportsman division will also be included in the National NASCAR programs. The first points event for the 2001 season will be the ICEBREAKER on the weekend of March 31st and April 1st. This will also be the first race held on the new track surface.
“Thompson Speedway has always had a history of Small Block Modified Racing. In recent years, the Sunoco Modified division has shown great growth. It’s time to return our focus to Modified racing, ” said Don Hoenig. “This does not mean we are planning to abandon the Pro Stocks. Thompson will provide a $10,000.00 point fund for this deserving division.”
A tentative schedule of some seventeen plus events will showcase the Sunoco Modifieds, Pro Stocks, Late Models, Limited Sportsman and Mini Stocks. All divisions will run most scheduled events. A weekly Thursday night format is highlighted with major weekend and Sunday holiday events. A complete 2001 Thompson schedule will be released soon.
While many eyes are looking to the ICEBREAKER opening and the 2001 season, there is still business to be completed from the 2000 calendar. That business is the honoring of division champions. Two banquets are scheduled to honor the teams that showed outstanding performance in the year just completed. The Annual Awards Banquets will be held on Friday, January 26th and Saturday, January 27th at the Raceway Restaurant on the ground of the Thompson Speedway. The “Salute to Champions” banquets will feature the 2000 Strictly Stocks, Mini Stocks and Pro Four Modifieds on Friday evening. The Pro Stocks, Sunoco Modifieds and Late Models will be in the spotlight on Saturday night. Tickets for these events are available for purchase in groups of eight or ten people and are available by calling the track office every weekday between the hours of 9AM and 1 PM except on Tuesdays. The track office will be closed on Tuesdays during the winter months.
Racing rule books are also available at no charge. Anyone interested in obtaining rules for the 2001 season may call the track office. (860)-923-2280
Sources: Russ Dowd/Thompson International Speedway PR