Modified Tour Returns to Thompson on August 14th
Thompson, CT — The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour makes its third stop of the year at the Thompson International Speedway on Thursday, August 14th. The occasion is the running of the annual New England Dodge Dealers 150 presented by Budweiser.
The Whelen Modified Tour (WMT) is at the height of its 2008 racing schedule and is expected to have a full field of excellent race teams ready for competition at Thompson. Current WMT points leader and two-time winner in ‘08, Chuck Hossfeld, will lead the ever-popular Whelen Modified Tour into this demanding and highly competitive race. Hossfeld’s last win at Thompson was in 2003. With a five year drought at the Connecticut track, Hossfeld will be looking to end that dry spell and capture the top spot in the 150-lap grind. In two previous appearances this year, Ed Flemke (Icebreaker) and Ronnie Silk (New England Dodge Dealers/Charter Communications 75) were Modified Tour winners at Thompson.
Ted Christopher, only forty seven points behind Hossfeld, will also be looking to claim a victory. Ted’s last win at Thompson came in the August race back in 2006. Race fans will have the opportunity to see the best of the WMT. Todd Szegedy, Mike Stefanik, Matt Hirschman, Eric Beers, Jimmy Blewett, Matt Hirschman, Flemke and Silk are just some of the drivers expected to be in the starting filed for the 150.
NASCAR will continue to pay tribute to former Modified champions at Thompson. Tony Hirschman, who clinched 3 of his five championships at Thompson, will be honored at this event. Hirschman boasts an amazing record of thirty five wins on the Tour with only Reggie Ruggiero and Mike Stefanik having won more. Hirschman will be honored during pre-race ceremonies scheduled for 6 PM on 14th.
Joining the WMT on the Thursday night schedule will be Thompson’s own NASCAR Whelen All American Series divisions. The track’s Sunoco Modifieds, Pro Stocks, Late Models, Thompson Modifieds, Ltd. Sportsman and Mini Stocks will compete in feature-only races.
Grandstands to the sprawling Thompson complex will open at 2 PM with qualifying for the WMT slated to begin at 5:30 PM. Pre-race ceremonies will begin at the conclusion of time trials and feature event racing will immediately follow the pre-race activities.
Tickets for this always exciting race event are available by calling the track office. All major credit cards are accepted. The day’s complete schedule and much more information is only a click away at Thompson’s web page. www.thompsonspeedway.com.
Sources: Russ Dowd/Thompson Int’l Speedway PR