Thompson Hosts Whelen Modified Tour This Thursday Night
Thompson, CT — The biggest racing event of the summer at Thompson Speedway is scheduled for this Thursday night. That’s when the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour rolls into town for the running of the annual New England Dodge Dealers presentation of the Budweiser 150. This late summer racing spectacle is always a fan favorite and will bring out the very best on the NASCAR Whelen Modified tour.
This event dates back to the very first year of the WMT, 1985. The winner’s list contains many of the very best drivers ever to strap themselves into a NASCAR Modified. Richie Evans won the inaugural August “Tour” event and names like Jimmy Spencer, Brian Ross, Reggie Ruggiero, Mike McLaughlin, Jeff Fuller, Mike Stefanik, Tony Hirschman, Ted Christopher and Todd Szegedy, to name a few, have followed in the Evans tradition.
The 2009 points battle is beginning to heat up. Ted Christopher, the 2008 WMT Champ, had topped the points chase since Thompson’s Icebreaker in April. However, following the recent race at Riverhead Speedway, Todd Szegedy, the 2003 title holder, took over the top spot in the points race. All that changed last Friday when Christopher scored a second place finish at Stafford and Szegedy came home in 10th spot. Christopher had regained the points lead.
This give and take will be the center of attention when these two great drivers take the green flag in the Bud 150 at Thompson. Ryan Preece has won the last two WMT events and sits third in the points standings. Rounding out the top five are the 2007 Champ, Donnie Lia followed by Rowan Pennink.
The Whelen Modified Tour cars will time trial at 5:30 PM. Upon completion of their qualifying, the drivers of the “Tour” will gather on the Thompson midway for an autograph session. Fans are urged to bring items they would like to have signed and to also bring their cameras to snap some pictures of their favorite drivers.
Feature events will begin shortly after 6 PM and will showcase Thompson’s “Super 6” NASCAR Whelen All American Series divisions. The WMT Bud 150 has a posted start time of approximately 8:45 PM.
Tickets for this great late summer event are available at the Thompson track office. All major credit cards are accepted. The entire race day schedule along with much more information is posted on the Thompson web page. www.thompsonspeedway.com.
Souces: Russ Dowd/Thompson International Speedway PR