Thompson World Series Officially Underway
Thompson, CT — The traditional World Series of Speedway Racing got underway on Friday night at Thompson International Speedway with qualifying action for eight of the 14 divisions in competition during the weekend. In less than two hours, a total of 16 heat races were run for the Thompson Mini Stocks, Limited Sportsman, TIS Modifieds, Pro Four Modifieds, All-Star Trucks Series, Outlaw Mini Stocks, Outlaw Limiteds, and Outlaw Late Models to officially set the starting grid for their feature events on Saturday.
The action will really heat up on Saturday when all 14 divisions see racing action. Forty plus cars will take time when the top guns of the Whelen Modified Tour qualify for the 34th annual World Series beginning at 2:30 PM. Heat races will be run for the super-fast Supermodifieds and the Northeastern Midget Association along with Sunoco Modifieds, Pro Stocks and Late Models. Immediately following, feature events will be run for the eight divisions that qualified on Friday night. The pit gates open at 7:30 AM for a full morning of practice. The grand stands open promptly at 9:00 AM.
On Sunday, the open-wheelers take center stage with fierce feature events for the ISMA Supers competing in 50-laps of racing action while the NEMA Midgets go at it for 25 laps. It all kicks off at noon with the full-fendered Late Models and Pro Stocks. The action-packed day culminates with the running of the 150-lapper for the Whelen Modified Tour.
The drama of the Northeastern Midget Association will unfold here during World Series weekend as Ben Seitz looks to unseat current point leader Joey Payne to win his unprecedented fourth driving title. The All-Star Truck Series championship is also on the line.
Throughout the weekend fans will get the opportunity to watch competitors who compete weekly at a host of New England race tracks. The finest short tracks will be represented with top drivers from nearby Waterford Speedbowl along with Stafford, Seekonk, and Monadnock Speedways as well as Riverhead Raceway. The World Series will play host to a number of champions including Late Model champions Gerry DeGasparre, Jr. from Seekonk Speedway and Corey Hutchings from Stafford Motor Speedway.
The All-Star line-up also includes some of the best Touring Series drivers in the country. Newly crowned Whelen Modified Tour champion Donny Lia of Jericho, NY headlines a full field of Modifieds that includes the legendary Mike Stefanik and young lions Ronnie Silk and Matt Hirschman. Other notables include Busch East Series standout Sean Caisse of Pelham, NH, who will try his hand at Pro Stock racing. The reigning and two-time ISMA Champion Chris Perley will showcase his prowess during the ISMA main event.
A complete schedule for this Who’s Who of short track racing can be found online at www.thompsonspeedway.com. The Speedway hotline is available at (860) 923-2280.
Sources: Russ Dowd/Thompson Int’l Speedway PR