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Read moreShane Hammond, one of the Northeastern Midget Association young stalwarts, died Sunday form “traumatic injuries” sustained in a crash at Thompson International Speedway’s season-opening Icebreaker. The crash occurred on the fourth lap of the scheduled 25-lapper.Hammond, 27, of Halifax, MA, made contact with another car on the backstretch on the fourth lap. Getting airborne, Hammond’s car cleared the concrete wall and struck a billboard in turn three.
After being extricated from the racer (a process that took some 12 minutes), Hammond was taken by ambulance to Day Kimball Hospital in nearby Putnam where he died.
Veteran Driver Earns 17th Career Victory
Thompson, CT — Ed Flemke, Jr. captured the first event of the 2008 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour season in a rain-shortened Icebreaker Sunday afternoon at Thompson International Speedway.
In third place at the time, Flemke gambled and stayed out on the track when the race went to caution on lap 74. As the race leaders pitted, the gamble paid off as the track gained moisture and the race never went green again. The result was Flemke’s 17th career victory.
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.
Sources: Thompson International Speedway PR
THOMPSON, Conn. — Four laps into today’s NEMA Midget feature, 27-year-old Shane Hammond was fatally injured in a crash in the third turn. Hammond’s car launched over the wheel of #22 Chris Leonard of Pelham, NH before striking a billboard. Hammond was driving the #4x car as a teammate to former champion Nokie Fornoro. Both cars are owned by Mike Jarret.
Personnel were quick to respond to the scene. Hammond was extricated from the car and CPR was performed on him before he was transported by ambulance to Day Kimball Hospital in Putnam, CT.
Opening Day Icebreaker Wins to Marvin and Zuidema
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.
Results:
NASCAR WMT Qualifying
Sunoco Modified
Late Model
Photo Galleries:
[Eric LaFleche]
Civali Earns First Career Pole
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.