Thursday Night Thunder to Rumble Again at Thompson
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.
The Thompson TNTT line up includes Sunoco Modifieds, Pro Stocks, Late Models, Limited sportsman, Thompson Modifieds and Mini Stocks. Each of these divisions is packed with highly competitive race teams and the on-track action is exciting and virtually non-stop.
Race fans are anxiously awaiting the debut of the new lighting system recently installed at Thompson. Immediately after last November’s Swap Meet was over, construction began on the new Musco lighting system. The infield was graded, a new retaining wall was installed and the towering new fixtures were installed before the New England weather brought the project to a halt.
Once the snows were gone and the ICEBREAKER program run, work resumed at a fever pitch. Trenches were dug in both the infield and on the midway for the underground wiring. Miles of wire were carefully installed and testing of the new system is about to begin. Once the lighting system installation is completed, the entire midway will be dug up, reshaped and prepared for a brand new asphalt coating.
This two fold approach of presenting a great weekly race program and annual improvements make Thompson International Speedway one of the truly great race tracks in the country. Thompson opened in 1940 as the first asphalt track in the U.S. and nearly every year since race fans have been treated to improvements in the facility.
The Thompson pit area will open at 3 PM for TNTT race programs and practice will begin one hour later. Qualifying races get underway at 5:30 PM and the first of six main events follow qualifying. TNTT is family priced and fans get to see NASCAR short track racing at its very best right in their own back yards. For many, this fast-paced racing program is the beginning of the weekend. TNTT is a great way to make summer weekends seem longer and more enjoyable.
For more information about this fun-filled night out at the races, visit the Thompson web site at www.thompsonspeedway.com.
Sources: Russ Dowd/Thompson International Speedway PR