Derek Ramstrom: Thompson International Speedway NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Preview
Derek Ramstrom of West Boylston, Mass., attempts to win his second consecutive Super Late Model championship at Thompson International Speedway in Thompson, Conn., with the final points race of the season at the track on Sunday, September 26. Qualifying for the 30-lap NASCAR Whelen All-American Series event begins at 4 p.m. Ramstrom has six feature wins this season at the track and leads both Larry Gelinas and Mike O’Sullivan by two points atop the standings. Last year, Ramstrom won the track championship and became the youngest champion in track history.
WHO: Derek Ramstrom, West Boylston, Mass.
TEAM: No. 35 Charter Communications/Matthews Truck Service & Towing Chevrolet
WHAT: NASCAR Whelen All-American Series — Super Late Model division
WHERE: Thompson International Speedway, Thompson, Conn. (.625-mile oval)
WHEN: 4 p.m., Sunday, September 26
POINTS POSITION: 1st
****************
DEREK, HOW ARE YOU APPROACHING THIS FINAL POINTS RACE?
Well, we’re coming down to the wire and it’s going to be pretty insane. My strategy is just to stay ahead of those guys. If they’re ahead of me at any point in the race, I know that I just have to stay very close to both of them, if not ahead of them. That’s my strategy.
If I can start ahead of (Gelinas) and just get away from him, that would be big. If I can do that, I can just get out by a couple of car lengths and try to maintain a nice pace.
DO YOU FEEL PRESSURE HEADING INTO THIS AS THE POINTS LEADER?
We’re really working on the car a lot before this race. It’s important. We really want to nail the setup and see what we can do. This is the biggest race of the year for us.
WHAT WOULD A SECOND STRAIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP MEAN TO YOU?
To win the championship two years in a row would be amazing. We’ve had a lot of help this year, so I really want to make this work. Hopefully we can get the championship and show my sponsors and everybody else that we’re the real deal.
Sources: Travis Barrett/Derek Ramstrom PR