Pit road project completed in time for regular season opener at Thompson
Thompson, CT — The project began in late winter. Phase one was completed just prior to the ICEBREAKER in early April. Following that event, phase two began and now has been completed. The project, of course, is the new pit road in the infield at the Thompson Int’l Speedway.
It began with several hundred feet of steel barriers being removed and replaced with new concrete walls. Next came the layout of the new exit from pit road which will take racecars from the infield pit area back onto the race track on the back stretch as opposed to the former re-entry in turn one. This will provide for a smoother and safer re-entry of racecars back onto the speedway.
The new pit road is now 840 feet long and 40 feet wide. This larger configuration will make for less congestion on pit road and provide pit ‘stalls’ for more competitors. The exit road is just over 300 feet long; is 16 feet wide. It provides access to the speedway so that cars returning to competition may do so by ‘blending’ into traffic on the track’s long back straightaway.
In addition, race teams will be thrilled to find that a strip of asphalt that is 13 feet wide has been added behind the infield pit wall for their convenience. This area, which runs the entire length of the pit road, will allow teams to set up their equipment and tools on a clean, hard surface and assist them in keeping all of their equipment clean and ready for use.
These are the improvements that are visible. However, as in any construction project, there is much work done that is not visible. The largest and most involved of these items is the elaborate drainage system that has been installed to take water from the area of new construction and direct it to the infield’s primary drainage system.
“A new pit road is something we have wanted for some time, said track owner and promoter, Don Hoenig. Each year we try to make significant improvements to our facility. This year we have added a new access road from the pit area to the race track, enlarged the pit area and added the new pit road configuration. We hope to accomplish even more improvements as the season goes on,” said Hoenig.
Thompson’s regular season of Thursday night races begins on June 6th . Each Thursday night during the summer, a minimum of five divisions of racecars will be in competition on the 5/8ths mile oval. Fans love the early start to the show and the fact that they are usually heading home by 9:30 PM. NASCAR Weekly Racing Series presented by Dodge divisions in competition will include the Sunoco Modifieds, Pro Stocks, Late Models, Limited Sportsman and Mini Stocks. As part of the first Thursday Night Thompson Thunder Series, The New England Antique Racers (NEAR) will be on hand to provide fans with a great look back over the history of Stock Car racing in New England.
For more information, fans may call the speedway office Monday through Thursday between the hours of 9 AM and 4 PM. Friday’s hours are from 9 AM until 12 Noon. They may also visit the track’s web site at www.thomsponspeedway.com.
Sources: Thompson Speedway PR