Thompson Prepares for First of Two Open Practice Sessions
Thompson, CT — The gates to the Thompson International Speedway will swing open for the first time in 2010 this Saturday, March 27th for the first of two scheduled open practice sessions. The track will be open on the 27th and again on April 3rd between the hours of 11 AM and 6 PM. These open practice sessions provide race teams with the opportunity to get valuable track time to dial in their race cars in preparation for the season-opening Icebreaker on the weekend of April 10th and 11th. Icebreaker 2010 will kick off the 70th anniversary season at Thompson and will include the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour along with Thompson’s own Super 6 NASCAR Whelen All-American Series divisions.
Each year, the speedway offers competitors the opportunity to take advantage of valuable track time so that their cars can be race ready for the opening salvo is fired on a brand new racing season. The relaxed atmosphere that exists during these practice sessions allows race teams the time needed to seek an advantage over other competitors. It is for that reason that hundreds of competitors take full advantage of these practice sessions.
Drivers who are new to Thompson Speedway find that they are given the chance to gain valuable “seat time” to learn the fast way around the big 5/8ths mile oval. Race teams with brand new race cars or those that have made significant changes to last year’s car also find these sessions to be invaluable.
The open practice format will be done in a “round robin” style and will run virtually non-stop for the seven hours scheduled for the next two weekends. The pit gates will open at 10 AM and the first cars will hit the track one hour later. These sessions are open to virtually all race cars including any those that may or may not compete at Thompson in the coming season along with vintage racers as well. All race cars must pass a safety inspection before going onto the track.
Anyone with questions regarding these open practice dates and procedures may contact the Thompson Speedway office (860-923-2280) or may visit the track’s web page at www.Thompsonspeedway.com.
Sources: Russ Dowd/Thompson International Speedway PR