Six Champions to Be Crowned Thursday at Thompson
Thompson, CT — For the first time in recent memory, the Thompson International Speedway will crown all six NASCAR Whelen All American series champions at the conclusion of this week’s Thursday Night Thompson Thunder race program.
The competition has been so intense all season, that being able to determine a champion has gone right down to the final night of season’s weekly competition. In two divisions as many as five drivers are still in the running for the title and in the other divisions, the points chase has narrowed to two or three still in the hunt.
Thompson International Speedway awards fifty points to a race winner and the points awarded decrease by two for each position behind the winner. With that in mind, the closeness of the points battles will create intense competition and may produce few long shot possibilities as well.
In the Sunoco Modified division, Kerry Malone continues to lead the points tally. However, sophomore driver, Danny Cates is a mere 22 points behind with Jimmy Blewett only 26 points off the pace. Still in the running is Todd Ceravolo who finds himself 32 points behind Malone and Keith Rocco, as a result of his back to back wins in the past two weeks, is still in the hunt even though he finds himself 42 off of Malone’s pace.
The Pro Stock division has the closest race for the title. Fred Astle, Jr. leads going into the final points event of the 2008 season. But, last week’s winner, Jay Macedonio has closed to within six points of the leader. The defending title holder, Michael O’Sullivan is 14 off the top with Norman Wrenn only 18 away. Derek Ramstrom sits some 30 points behind Astle.
The Late Model division boasts a three-way run for the crown. Jeff Zuidema, going into the final points event, holds an advantage of 14 points over Mark Palmisano and a 24 point lead over the division’s defending champ, Rich Gentes. Gentes and Palmisano finished first and second in last week’s race as Zuidema encountered numerous mechanical difficulties. The race this Thursday should be a real nail biter right down to the checkered flag.
Three drivers will contest the Thompson Modified title. Kurt Vigeant leads Shane Michalski by only 20 points. Two points behind Michalski is driver Glenn Boss. The drive to claim the top spot will probably go right down to the checkered flag.
Both the Limited Sportsman and Mini Stock divisions have come down to a two-way challenge going into this week’s competition. Limited Sportsman driver, Scott Sundeen has a 22 point advantage over Ed Puleo while Mini Stock racer, Danny Field sits 20 points ahead of defending champ, Mike Romano.
With this kind of close competition for all that goes with a division championship, the racing should be an extremely close, tough and an exciting way to bring down the curtain on weekly racing at Thompson. Racing begins at 5:15 PM this Thursday evening.
Sources: Russ Dowd/Thompson International Speedway PR